Hey all, just put 2 12" xtant 1244 x series subs in my expedition and was wondering what you guys use for covering the box. Where can you get some black carpet or covering to put on it? I assume an audio store but they will want to charge you quite a bit for the material. I saw some black felt at walmart that looked decent. Do you recommend the 3m super 77 adhesive to apply the covering?

Any ideas would be appreciated. What have you all used?

Brad

 

Check your local Advance Auto Parts. They have rolls of auto carpeting in different colors. I think it was $6 a roll here in VA and that was enough to do 2 sub boxes. Use 3M spray adhesive to attach it to the box. I think I've seen it at WalMart too.....

 

cheap carpet is just fine if you wont see most of the enclosure. If you can see the box and want a slightly more "custom" and professional look, get OEM color matched carpet, its all over the net.

 

along with the 3m spray, i usually use a staple gun and staple the carpet where it won't show. or for something really trick, try coating it with fiberglass or a gel.

 

How do you get the seams not to show? I'm tempted to build my own box, but don't have a clue how to cover one.

 

I went to Joanns fabrics but they didn't have what I wanted, Home Depot didn't have anything either nor did Fry's electronics. I found some tan marine carpet at lowes that came 6 ft wide, picked some 3m super 90 adhesive up too, works good. I got it covered and it looks decent. If I had to do it over again I would have placed the seams in a different spot, just got a little too far ahead of myself. So you will be able to see a couple small seems but nothing I can't live without .

I think the key to almost seemless seems is to overlap the carpet and cut through both pieces then remove what you just cut and it should lay back down pretty good. Don't spray adhesive before this like I did, makes it more difficult to remove the piece you just cut since it is now tacked down. Plan where you want the seems to end, probably want to wrap the carpet around the corners a couple inches since the edge will show if you do not, like mine did . These were a few of the main problems that would have been helpful for a first timer.

Thanks for the help
Brad

 

Our Wal-Mart here in town sells rolls of Automotive carpet in all the normal colors (Grey, Black, Beige, ect.), and they're very reasonably priced. We have one of the super-mega-ultra Wal-Marts, but you might wanna check yours too... Also, any place that services boats should have some marine-grade carpet that usually looks a lot like automotive carpet and is virtually bullet-proof...

 

i've found that using a utility knife blade by itself works. i just "saw" down the edge and it roughs it up a little and makes for an invisible seam.

 

I choose to cover my box and rear deck with OEM colored carpet. 3M makes a good adjustable nozzled spray adhesive for carpet (Home depot). Folks that see my setup often comment that it looks very 'factory.' Pictures of the sub box and rear panel are in my gallery.