A man I know and trust fully just told me he uses brake fluid on his rubber surrounds when they start to dry out or mildew.
I will be doing it but curious to see if if anyone else has done that.
TIA
I will be doing it but curious to see if if anyone else has done that.
TIA
I've had petro products that were supposed to reconditions rubbers and such cause them to expand and wrinkle and do all sorts of strange things. Make sure to test on something disposable first.
Brake fluid has to be compatible with rubber seals on calipers/cylinders so should be OK on butyl rubber.
Silicone grease is the correct lubricant for rubbers, oil based greases including vaseline will cause it to swell.
I was thinking that too. It 'conditions' the rubber, which without it could dry out and crack. It certainly doesn't cause it to break down even after many years.
Yes, they have done it but for the first envelopes of JBL called Lans a Loy.
There are opinions found. For foam wings, the best is liquid silicone. For rubber wings, I would also use it instead of that "discovery."
Lans-a-loy Repair Question - Page 2
There are speaker repair kits here:
Speaker Repair Parts - Parts Express
PS; The brake fluid is hygroscopic (it absorbs humidity from the environment, so it is recommended to change in the cars periodically, which nobody does)
Try the ATP AT-205.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NVW1LM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have a bottle, and I have rubbed this chemical on the rubber surrounds of several woofers. Cannot say whether it made any difference, as the rubber surrounds were in good shape before the treatment. At least it does not seem to have caused any damage.
Kurt
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NVW1LM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have a bottle, and I have rubbed this chemical on the rubber surrounds of several woofers. Cannot say whether it made any difference, as the rubber surrounds were in good shape before the treatment. At least it does not seem to have caused any damage.
Kurt
I bought 2 drivers (6.5") and one has a wet look of shiny rubber, the other has a dull white powderish look. Both work and sound the same but look different. And since we listen with our "eyes" I figured I would "clean" both surrounds before I get an "ear" ache.
Not something that needs to be done, purely aesthetics. When I mentioned it to my very trusted and experienced audio friend he casually said he uses brake fluid. I said BRAKE FLUID! He said yes he has been using it for decades..
BTW, I just happened to change the fluid in my wife's car this last Saturday. And I had some left but had a shop dispose of it. Had I only known.... I would have kept a few q-tips worth.
Not something that needs to be done, purely aesthetics. When I mentioned it to my very trusted and experienced audio friend he casually said he uses brake fluid. I said BRAKE FLUID! He said yes he has been using it for decades..
BTW, I just happened to change the fluid in my wife's car this last Saturday. And I had some left but had a shop dispose of it. Had I only known.... I would have kept a few q-tips worth.
Didn't think I wanted any residue for dust to stick to. I would prefer a more liquid consistency so it can be easily wiped off.
But you are 100% correct. That is what I use on my automotive seals and gaskets (door seals, sun roof seals).
Yes, absolutely right. I don’t know why I didn’t think to mention this. I am so particular with using only silicone grease when working near rubber, like sliding caliber pins. People don’t always realize the grease advertised for lubricating the pad / caliber contacts isn’t always safe for the pin seals.
I guess this may be a never ending issue .....
Then I will say "my truth"
I do not believe in temporary solutions, I always look for a repair that will not be "definitive", but that will last much longer than any "shortcut" to make the job as easy as possible.
We do not know what speaker it is.
Let's start there and we can all advise wisely.
Then I will say "my truth"
I do not believe in temporary solutions, I always look for a repair that will not be "definitive", but that will last much longer than any "shortcut" to make the job as easy as possible.
We do not know what speaker it is.
Let's start there and we can all advise wisely.
i would have to ask a chemist to be certain (or perhaps a hydraulic engineer) brake fluid doesn't effect the rubber components of a brake system until oxygen or nitrogen is introduced, a leaky brake seal quickly becomes a cascade failure if not fixed.
i would advise more careful research be done before attempting to use something like brake fluid on a speaker surround.
i would advise more careful research be done before attempting to use something like brake fluid on a speaker surround.
Just rub Rc car diff fluid, silicon oil into the surrounds, inside and out, leave for a week and wipe dry.
There are many products sold for softening race tires. E.G. Hot Lap, Liquid Sand, TNT, etc. The do soften and recondition, I've used them on pinch rollers in turntables and tape machines. Might not be the ideal thing for surrounds, tho...
But they usually cost more per bottle than a recone kit!
But they usually cost more per bottle than a recone kit!
