Can Silicon Caulk damage speakers?

DeadSpeaker · 18th January 2009, 06:56 PM

I read that it can, but a professional speaker installation guy told me otherwise. I want to install some little 3 inch speakers in a box, but they don't have screw holes. I need them to be removable. He told me that I could use caulk on the lip of the speakers. Is this true?

HK26147 · 18th January 2009, 07:13 PM

As long as the silicone caulk you are using does not have a specific warning against use with metal.
I started using Silicone RTV on avionics in the 70's and have used it with out problems on speakers since.
Vance Dickason uses it in the LDC.
Silicone is a big chemical group. I've have been using Pittsburgh Corning Glass block sealer for a while now. Dow RTV works.

Henkjan · 18th January 2009, 07:15 PM

my 1st DIY speakers I built 10+ years ago, I used silicone caulk for exactly the same reason... and those are still playing today, so I woudn't worry, just don't get it on any moving bits

but today i prefer Acrylic latex caulk, for it is easier to handle, doesn't smell, and remains flexible forever

Juergen Knoop · 18th January 2009, 07:18 PM

you can try an acrylic sealant. It does not contain vinegar acid, like many silicones do and is cheaper than silicone too!
regards

DeadSpeaker · 19th January 2009, 12:30 AM

Cool. Thanks a lot guys.

Ron E · 19th January 2009, 12:40 AM

If you ever blow those speakers, and need to replace them, you may damage the box trying to get them out

Juergen Knoop · 19th January 2009, 12:45 AM

don't scare me!
I have used some of the acrylic in the past.

regards

WayneW · 19th January 2009, 01:13 AM

When Silicon dries, the gas is what can damage the surround material on speakers. Best to use a latex caulk!

DeadSpeaker · 19th January 2009, 01:36 AM

Well I found some acrylic latex silicon caulk. That's what the tube says. Very little smell. Can I pry the speakers out of it once the stuff dries?

I'd like to experiment with different amounts of dampening. I'm not using polyfil, but something similar. It's actually a big sheet of aquarium filter that I snagged from work.

Anyways I might need to add more or take some out.

HK26147 · 19th January 2009, 03:05 AM

I have yet to find anyone who actually had speaker damage from silicone, it's always anecdotal - a friend, or I heard...
I ( and others ) have put silicone on virtually every part ( on countless speakers ) with no ill effect.
There is no acetic acid in it, it is a site reaction; The amount formed when curing is minuscule. Somewhere I have a research paper on silicone curing detailing.
I'm convinced this is an urban myth with no truth ( or at least no damaged speakers ).
For those still not convinced - use latex.

18th January 2009, 06:56 PM	#1
DeadSpeaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2007	Can Silicon Caulk damage speakers? I read that it can, but a professional speaker installation guy told me otherwise. I want to install some little 3 inch speakers in a box, but they don't have screw holes. I need them to be removable. He told me that I could use caulk on the lip of the speakers. Is this true?

19th January 2009, 12:40 AM	#6
Ron E diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: USA, MN	If you ever blow those speakers, and need to replace them, you may damage the box trying to get them out __________________ Our species needs, and deserves, a citizenry with minds wide awake and a basic understanding of how the world works. --Carl Sagan Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge. --Carl Sagan

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18th January 2009, 07:13 PM	#2
HK26147 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	As long as the silicone caulk you are using does not have a specific warning against use with metal. I started using Silicone RTV on avionics in the 70's and have used it with out problems on speakers since. Vance Dickason uses it in the LDC. Silicone is a big chemical group. I've have been using Pittsburgh Corning Glass block sealer for a while now. Dow RTV works.

18th January 2009, 07:15 PM	#3
Henkjan diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Berkel en Rodenrijs	my 1st DIY speakers I built 10+ years ago, I used silicone caulk for exactly the same reason... and those are still playing today, so I woudn't worry, just don't get it on any moving bits but today i prefer Acrylic latex caulk, for it is easier to handle, doesn't smell, and remains flexible forever

18th January 2009, 07:18 PM	#4
Juergen Knoop diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Blog Entries: 3	you can try an acrylic sealant. It does not contain vinegar acid, like many silicones do and is cheaper than silicone too! regards

19th January 2009, 12:30 AM	#5
DeadSpeaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2007	Cool. Thanks a lot guys.

19th January 2009, 12:45 AM	#7
Juergen Knoop diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Blog Entries: 3	don't scare me! I have used some of the acrylic in the past. regards

19th January 2009, 01:13 AM	#8
WayneW diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2008	When Silicon dries, the gas is what can damage the surround material on speakers. Best to use a latex caulk!

19th January 2009, 01:36 AM	#9
DeadSpeaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2007	Well I found some acrylic latex silicon caulk. That's what the tube says. Very little smell. Can I pry the speakers out of it once the stuff dries? I'd like to experiment with different amounts of dampening. I'm not using polyfil, but something similar. It's actually a big sheet of aquarium filter that I snagged from work. Anyways I might need to add more or take some out.

19th January 2009, 03:05 AM	#10
HK26147 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	I have yet to find anyone who actually had speaker damage from silicone, it's always anecdotal - a friend, or I heard... I ( and others ) have put silicone on virtually every part ( on countless speakers ) with no ill effect. There is no acetic acid in it, it is a site reaction; The amount formed when curing is minuscule. Somewhere I have a research paper on silicone curing detailing. I'm convinced this is an urban myth with no truth ( or at least no damaged speakers ). For those still not convinced - use latex.

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