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Painting speaker cones

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guardbay View Drop Down
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    Posted: 08 April 2013 at 2:05pm
Hi

I have recently bought a couple of drivers, one has been stored face down and the cone is in excellent condition, the other has probably been stored face up and was very dusty. I've removed the dust with a soft brush but the cone still looks very grey when compared to the other one. I'd like to get them both looking the same so would like to paint them with something but what should I use.

Obviously spray paint is out as it would set hard and probably change the cone characteristics and may dissolve glue etc to the surround. Water colour might do but again might dissolve glue. Other whacky ideas are felt pen permanent marker or even wax shoe polish!!

Anyone know of of a specialist paint or have any advice please.

Thanks
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Goodvibetribe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 April 2013 at 3:15pm

Ive never done it myself so don't know fir sure but, If you really wanted to do it,  I would have thought a spray can is probably your best option. They are very thin and dry very quickly so actually wouldn't change any characteristics of it. Water colour? Really? Dunno what drivers you have but most are made out of paper, so this should be the last option as it could seriously weaken it. I guess a felt pen would work but I cant see it looking good. Id seriously consider spray cans if you are going to do this. Dunno what anyone else thinks though

George c - www.gorilla-audio.co.uk facebook.com/gorillaaudiohire
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dylan-penguinmedia Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 April 2013 at 3:55pm
If the reason you want to do it is cosmetic, I'd fit some grills.
Anything you add to the cone has the potential to change the drivers parameters and the sound.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dub Specialist Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 April 2013 at 4:06pm
i woulnt do any such thing at all if thay are decent drivers but if there only cheap jobbies then spray is the way to go, dun these type of thing's when i was a kid didnt like the some names on the dust dome covers and spraying the cones ect 

if it bugs ya that much get some different drivers, but i know what ya mean got a driver my-self the surround has gone grey-ish due to age ect..
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jbinks-v2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 April 2013 at 7:13pm
Just clean them with a damp sponge (like the little ones you use in the kitchen sink). Do it carefully and be very gentle. Don't let the speaker get wet. You only want it "damp".

When finished, let it dry out fully before you even think about using it!

If that doesn't work, I'd highly advise against any paint!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TONY.A.S.S. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 April 2013 at 8:07pm
You can use cellulose, It won't add any measurable mass to the cone and will remain flexible. It will also be waterproof. With B and C re-cones, you get a container of black waterproofing to put on which is much thicker than cellulose would be, so a normal aerosol can will do.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote _djk_ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 April 2013 at 8:56pm


This works very well without harm to the cone, does not change the sound.
djk
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Evolution pezza Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 April 2013 at 10:32pm
Black shoe polish works quite well using a soft brush, I would stay away from paint to much weight to be putting on the cone imo.
this is the one boys!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andy Kos Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 April 2013 at 10:49pm
Originally posted by TONY.A.S.S. TONY.A.S.S. wrote:

You can use cellulose, It won't add any measurable mass to the cone and will remain flexible. It will also be waterproof. With B and C re-cones, you get a container of black waterproofing to put on which is much thicker than cellulose would be, so a normal aerosol can will do.
Ive used Halfords Satin Black Spray paint to fairly effectively 'refurbish' old cones, it hasnt damaged the cones in any way, and makes them look better than new.
just a guy with a warehouse and a few speakers... www.bluearan.co.uk
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andy Kos Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 April 2013 at 10:52pm

I tested how much additional weight the spray paint added on an old 18" cone I had cut out, it was fairly negligible, only a few grams. I seem to recall the unsprayed one was about 120 grams, and with spray on was about 128 grams.

just a guy with a warehouse and a few speakers... www.bluearan.co.uk
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote B.M.F. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 April 2013 at 4:25am
If you are wanting to alter color with out changing the mass noticeably use automotive fabric dye. Don't know about your area but here it is available in spray cans. It has incredible coverage and is extremely thin.
I've used it for a lot of things but I haven't ever tried it on speakers. I have used it on fabrics without changing the texture or flexibility so might be an option.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote _djk_ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 April 2013 at 1:03pm
"use automotive fabric dye."

+1
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