When the cone isn't black but you REALLY want it to be

[jonkun227]

I've usually dealt with drivers behind a mesh of some sort. Now I'm doing an enclosure where the cones are exposed and I want a really rich black finish, but without doing anything negative to the sound. I have access to a wide range of inks, dyes, paints, etc. Can anyone enlighten me as to how to make a charcoal or purplish cone black and maybe even a little bit shiny? (The shine is less important but nice.)

Or would I do best to leave it alone? I have searched far and wide for an existing topic about this, but only came up with "how to paint your enclosure" type discussions.

Latex?
Water-based dye?
Sharpie?
Mascara?
Crayon?

Thanks!


- Jon

[5th element]

Im not sure how to do this, but I can guess knowing the cone material is important. Painting plastic, metal, paper etc would probably require different inks.

[jonkun227]

You're absolutely right. I thought I had mentioned that these are paper, but re-reading my post I see that I didn't.

These are paper. The woofers are neutral but not quite black, and the mids are similarly not dark but also slightly purple. (For those familiar with the Pantone system they are roughly PMS Black 7m and PMS Black 5m. I'd rather see PMS Black 6c.)

If the weight and material didn't make a difference I'd go with a strongly tinted metallic, like PMS 8201, but I'm quite certain that an ink heavy enough to do that would have a serious impact on performance.

I'm thinking a lightweight water-based dye would work best because it would add the least weight to the paper. But it's also the most likely to be absorbed deep into the fibers, reducing the opacity and saturation, defeating the purpose of the exercise.

Seems like anything thick enough to stay on the surface (pigment based) would add too much weight.

Has anyone tried this? Should I get some cheap drivers at the thrift store and practice?


- Jon

[terry j]

try asking BudP in the Enable and Mamboni thread, he coats paper cones etc and you may be able to add a colouring agent to it. Who knows, it may even sound better????

[jonkun227]

Originally posted by 5th element
What the hell are you screamin' for? Every five minutes there's a bomb or somethin'! I'm leavin! bzzzz!

My wife and I frequently reference Ruby in our day-to-day lives. "Aah! What's wrong with you?"


- Jon

[jonkun227]

Originally posted by terry j
try asking BudP in the Enable and Mamboni thread, he coats paper cones etc and you may be able to add a colouring agent to it. Who knows, it may even sound better????

That thread seemed to be the closest thing I could find to an answer, but I gave up after the first page or two because it seemed to be only for very precise lettering of the cones. I'll definitely ask him. Thanks!


- Jon

[Rounder]

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=340-512


If this link doesnt work then look up wet look pint black at partsexpress. Not sure how itll look but you can ask around. Says its for paper cones.

[jonkun227]

How funny. I had specifically gone to Parts Express and searched for paint, dye, etc., but didn't find anything. Those terms aren't in the title or description. No wonder I didn't find it. I knew somebody had to have encountered this issue before me.

Thanks!


- Jon

[5th element]

Originally posted by jonkun227


My wife and I frequently reference Ruby in our day-to-day lives. "Aah! What's wrong with you?"


- Jon

Haha, good to hear I am not the only one who does it, of course I go for a full out impersonation, I do a rather good Zorg too heh.