Best way to cover a box?!?!

[WolfmanX]

I am thinking of laminating the entire cabinet in 1/4" or 3/8" cherry and sanding that down and adding a neutral stain and urethane to finish.

I didn't know if it would sonically harm the originally intended sound.

[pinkmouse]

well thats how I do it anyway, it takes for ages but it's worth it.

I agree Stew, the finishing sometimes takes me two or three times as long as the build, ( but then I rediscovered Danish oil ). I'm not sure about goats leather though, as I have been a veggie for 12 years

Wolf, don't worry about the sound, the effects will be negligable, just build them, they will look amazing! I would prefer using a water based varnish though, as it smells less, and dries quicker, giving dust less chance to settle.

[fdegrove]

Hi,

high gloss plastic finish black paint applied with a paint gun.

Would this come close to a piano lacquer finish?

And if not,how does a piano arrive at such high gloss and what makes it so resilient to scratching?

Thx,

[halojoy]

I want to see some pictures in this thread.
A little eye-candy would make this subject really interesting.

[Stew320]

Originally posted by pinkmouse

I'm not sure about goats leather though, as I have been a veggie for 12 years.

While in the local furnishings shop the other day I discovered black Vinyl (well it came in a variety of colours) that looked very similar to real leather from a metre or so away, and it was cheaper by far than leather, also it's very stretchy and softer to the touch so it would be a joy to work with. I might try this out on my next project may potentially help in reducing HF reflections too.



Stew.

[FrankDIY]

Originally posted by halojoy
I want to see some pictures in this thread.
A little eye-candy would make this subject really interesting.

If carefully applied with a paint gun, you will be close. You need to put a sealer on the MDF before and you need to sand with a 320 sandpaper between each coat. On my speaker I have put 10 coats. To get a better finish, you should use the "car" technique. Basically, it is to paint the box the same way that a car is painted.

Not sure which paint/varnish the piano uses, but for sure it is really hard to make this finish at home. Someday, I will take a few course in wood/cabinet finishing.

[FrankDIY]

Originally posted by halojoy
I want to see some pictures in this thread.
A little eye-candy would make this subject really interesting.

Sorry, this is the best picture that I have...

[Stew320]

I think the key to a glass like finish in lacquer (or a paint finish) is in the cutting back and polishing and the surface preparation. your surface must be perfectly flat before any lacquer is applied or you will see ripples in the end result. A cabinet scraper is a very good tool for this

Then sealed with a sealer and sanded with 240 grit paper, Lots of layers of lacquer, flattening out in-between every 2nd or 3rd coat with 240grit until a good depth has been reached. final few layers should be clear lacquer, Cut back with wet&dry paper used wet from 400 grit right up to 2000 grit (taking care at the edges and corners as it's easy to sand through)

Then use medium cutting liquid similar to t-cut then fine cutting liquid progressing on to extra fine then on to swirl remover or "3M Hand Glaze" then polish with a very soft cloth and voala! a mirror like glass finish that's very tough and more scratch resistant than straight off the gun.

A finish right of the spray gun no matter how good it's done is no where near as good as cut back and polished surface. It takes allot of elbow grease for a perfect finish. Anyone can do this at home!! as long as your armed with the basic knowledge and some old cotton t-shirts, off the shelf cutting liquids and lots of w&d paper.

All my opinion of course but that's how I do it.


Stew.

[CHRIS8]

No reason to use that simulation woodgrain contact paper.

Try here for very low cost but high quality veneers:

http://www.tapeease.com/

-Chris

[BrianGT]

I just made my speakers out of .75" mdf and then glued .75" red oak to the outside, then stained and polyurethaned them.

--
Brian