I'm in the process of planning out my stereo install and I have an idea in my head on how I want my trunk to look...I'm just not sure how to do it.

I want to install my amp and crossover in the dropped area of the trunk floor. I want to make a clear cover with a cut-out of a logo (either RX-8 or maybe the amp brand). This would make the entire trunk floor the same height. The cut-out lettering will serve as ventilation for the amp and I also want to install neon at the edge of the glass to make the edges of the lettering light up.

Problem is I'm not entirely sure how to do this or what material to use.
Should I use a plexiglass, lexan or an acrylic sheet for the clear cover?
How can I cleanly cut out the lettering I want or can I get this done somewhere? I have most handtools at home, just not experienced in cutting this type of material.

Here's a pic of what I mean if my explanation sucks.

 

Do an internet search for you area, alot of companies that sell the 3 materials you listed should also be able to cut them for you. While you are at it, go ahead and read up on all 3 materials strengths and weakness and get prices. That should help you decide on what would be best to use. If you can cut the wood frame to whatever size you want, then you should just have to order the plastic with the cut out to fit under the wood, should be pretty easy. You may also want to try LED's spaced out evenly on the edge of the plastic for a more unique look and they are alot easier to mount in a small space.

 

Best people for that job would be a neon sign place, they can cut that type of flat plastic design in minutes. (but get your 'neon' cold cathode tube on ebay, WAY cheap!)
You could try Hi-Signs on the south side, or Blanchett on St.Albert Trail.

S

 

I've used lexan in the past, it was pretty easy to cut and it wasn't very heavy, it also was tinted so it looked all clean, and then if I wanted to show off stuff I would light it from underneath. Seemed to handle heat pretty well, but we used two cooling fans integrated into the cover to flow air, one faced downward and one faced upward, then the air would flow underneath as one fan forced air in and the other sucked it out etc..

 

i was looking to do something exactly like this and was concerned about the heat... how did you power the cooling fans? just something w/12V power input and wired into an ACC wire?

 

yup, little 12v fans similar to what you see in computer cases, ran off the same turnon as the amps so anytime the amps were on the fans were on. Make sure things are ground properly as you can get speaker noise from the fans if things are not.

 

Measure it up and I can send it up to you. Light it up from underneath with an led bar hidden down each edge. What color are you going to consider? I am doing this exact same thing to the RX8 I have here. It would be cheaper for you to have me blast two tops out at the same time, same as I did with the breaker mount (done except for powder coating).

 

Go with the lexan, it always works for me.