Suggestions for Speaker Varnish / Coatings

jkesa · 1st June 2004, 06:42 AM

I have a couple of 20 year old speakers that look and sound good. However, the 10 inch paper cone and cloth-line rim look dried out. Any suggestions to restore and preserve ? Thanks.

sreten · 1st June 2004, 11:10 AM

PVA wood glue can be used as a sealer.

Dilute 50% and apply in thin coats with a brush,
say two coats, but one may be enough.

You don't want to apply too much and unduly stiffen up the surround.

They will come out looking nearly new.

sreten.

johninCR · 1st June 2004, 07:35 PM

You can even add food coloring. I didn't like the yellowy color, so I combined blue and red food coloring to thin the glue. The result is a very dark blue/purple which dries almost black on a black paper cone.

sreten · 1st June 2004, 08:07 PM

whist JC may be correct, IMO you simply don't need it,

sreten.

jkesa · 2nd June 2004, 06:42 AM

Thanks for the info.

However, what does the PVA stand for ? Any brand I would be familiar with in the states ?

sreten · 2nd June 2004, 10:27 AM

PVA = poly vinyl acetate.

Basically a white (dries slightly opaque clear) water based wood glue.

There are many brands, Unibond is popular in the UK.

Titebond or Elmer's ?

sreten.

Bas Horneman · 2nd June 2004, 11:04 AM

sreten,

How about shellac?

Cheers,
Bas

sreten · 2nd June 2004, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bas Horneman
sreten,

How about shellac?

Cheers,
Bas

no experience,

http://www.shellac.net/faq.html

but does not appear to be suitable.

http://www.t-linespeakers.org/design/tweeks.html

Is another option.

sreten.

Paradise_Ice · 2nd June 2004, 12:36 PM

I used to water proof speakers for friends in the Rainy back woods in Loch Lomond, I used a high Gloss laquer, modern Spray cans have very tuff formulas and are very light and apply well on almost anything apart from greeze!! This would protect your drivers and even add a bit of stiffness! i would recommend a arcylic as the flex well around the surround, apply a small amount to test it first as it will never come off so choose wisely. But it will work, PVA is very heavy in comparision even if watered down 50%,, just an idea.

johninCR · 2nd June 2004, 01:31 PM

I've heard that dammar varnish, available at art supply stores, is better than typical shellac.

1st June 2004, 06:42 AM	#1
jkesa diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Somewhere in Delaware	Suggestions for Speaker Varnish / Coatings I have a couple of 20 year old speakers that look and sound good. However, the 10 inch paper cone and cloth-line rim look dried out. Any suggestions to restore and preserve ? Thanks.

1st June 2004, 07:35 PM	#3
johninCR diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Costa Rica	You can even add food coloring. I didn't like the yellowy color, so I combined blue and red food coloring to thin the glue. The result is a very dark blue/purple which dries almost black on a black paper cone. __________________ Everyone has a photographic memory. It's just that most are out of film.

2nd June 2004, 11:04 AM	#7
Bas Horneman diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The Netherlands Blog Entries: 18	sreten, How about shellac? Cheers, Bas __________________ Boatanchor amps forum My "adventures" in audio

2nd June 2004, 12:36 PM	#9
Paradise_Ice diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: cosmological consciousness	Its just an idea I used to water proof speakers for friends in the Rainy back woods in Loch Lomond, I used a high Gloss laquer, modern Spray cans have very tuff formulas and are very light and apply well on almost anything apart from greeze!! This would protect your drivers and even add a bit of stiffness! i would recommend a arcylic as the flex well around the surround, apply a small amount to test it first as it will never come off so choose wisely. But it will work, PVA is very heavy in comparision even if watered down 50%,, just an idea.

2nd June 2004, 01:31 PM	#10
johninCR diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Costa Rica	I've heard that dammar varnish, available at art supply stores, is better than typical shellac. __________________ Everyone has a photographic memory. It's just that most are out of film.


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1st June 2004, 11:10 AM	#2
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	PVA wood glue can be used as a sealer. Dilute 50% and apply in thin coats with a brush, say two coats, but one may be enough. You don't want to apply too much and unduly stiffen up the surround. They will come out looking nearly new. sreten.

1st June 2004, 08:07 PM	#4
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	whist JC may be correct, IMO you simply don't need it, sreten.

2nd June 2004, 06:42 AM	#5
jkesa diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Somewhere in Delaware	Thanks for the info. However, what does the PVA stand for ? Any brand I would be familiar with in the states ?

2nd June 2004, 10:27 AM	#6
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	PVA = poly vinyl acetate. Basically a white (dries slightly opaque clear) water based wood glue. There are many brands, Unibond is popular in the UK. Titebond or Elmer's ? sreten.

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