How to achieve a good finish on speakers

[nannoo]

I'm sure I've looked for this before and asked, but don't remember any simple/easy tricks to achieveing a good finish on DIY speakers.

I've thought about maybe putting mirrors on my subwoofer box and just turning into a big mirror'd box, which could be ok, but other than that no ideas sping to mind.

Most of the time I'm working with MDF, so the basic deal is filler-sanding-primer-sanding-paint-sand-paint-sand-polish etc, which is fine but very time consuming. Also I don't own/can't afford a spray system, so will probably use cans on my next project, but am aprehensive about this.

Ideally I'd like to get a piano-black-gloss finish, but any suggestions of other, easy to achieve and good looking finishes would be well recieved/appreciated.

Or links to any good online guides...

thanks guys.

 

[kevinahcc20]

If you build your speakers out of high quality veneered plywood or veneer an MDF box you can pursue traditional woodworking finishing techniques, about which there are many, many books and articles. Options include natural clear finish, stains, dyes, etc. and the clear coat over it can be oil, poly, acrylic with options for exotic techniques like French polishing.

 

[nannoo]

I did think about doing a real wood veneer but was pretty shocked at the price's... is it normal for veneer to cost a lot or did I look in the wrong place?

I was hoping for a cheap quick and easy solution, but I'm guessing those are all preventive of a quality finish...

 

[kevinahcc20]

Veneer pricing varies widely but the high quality exotic materials are quite expensive. For a first attempt I would stick to a domestic hardwood to keep the cost in line until you develop confidence in your technique.

 

[Stewart Holmes]

Hi nannoo,

I've built a pair of bookshelfs similar to the Seas Idunn using MDF, I bonding some 4mm plywood to the MDF then stained and lacquered the plywood, the difference in sound is much better than the MDF alone even veneered MDF. Troels Gravesen using this technique only with 18mm Birch Plywood which will be much better again. I think its a great way to get good looking speakers as well as better sounding cabinets. You could paint the plywood instead only be careful which glue to use, I believe Cascamite glue is best for painted cabinets.

SEAS CURV

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/mult...-seas-2-ways-seas-u18rnx-p-seas-27tbfc-g.html

The above link is my speakers, so sorry for poor pic quality, i'll update it with better pics soon.

 

[nigelwright7557]

I always cover my enclosures with thin carpet.
It hides a multitude of errors.
Its hard wearing.