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ADS L880/2 refinishing, not seen this before & need some advice

Wembely

Wembely

New Member
Hello all. Long time listener, first time caller…

I am refinishing some L880/2 walnut that I picked up for $200 locally - mostly based on what I have read here.

Sonically outstanding condition, but one of the speakers has staining/bleaching/ god knows what on the top. By the feel, the layer of lacquer or poly coating is gone where the stain is. Pictures attached. The picture with the two speakers shows a much more accurate color of the wood and stain.

I have done some refinishing of scratched up cabinets with good results, but have never had to deal with a two-tone situation like this.

I am open to guidance and suggestions including how to proceed, anything to test first, doing the whole speaker and or the pair vs just the top21A66879-532A-4CC4-8B5E-1D6C331DB2C5.jpeg 34DDA201-0AC3-47AC-882F-FF36B38205CB.jpeg - though the other speaker is in pretty good (not perfect) shape.
Thanks in advance
 
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Hard to say what caused the staining but it definitely bleached out the veneer. If you can match the stain, I'd try to sand down the tops (lightly) so that they are a uniform color, then test some stains until you get what will match the rest of the cabinet.

Great choice of speakers. I really enjoyed my L880/2 pair.
 
Thanks. I think I read somewhere that I should try stripping the lacquer off first before sanding - with something like Minwax antique refinisher or similar. Any thoughts on that?
 
Sanding is not the way to go. Sure a little light sanding is OK, but you likely won't have enough veneer to remove and even out the the stain. You will sand through before it evens out. Strip the finish with a chemical stripper and bleach the entire top with oxalic acid. Once the top is all uniformly colored (light) you can stain to match the other sides

Edit: you can try refinishing type products first. They won't change the way the stripper and wood bleach will work if it turns out the refinishing product doesn't give the results you want
 
After stripping the finish, I'd make a slurry paste of Bar Keeper's Friend in water and slather it on the whole top surface, leave it a few minutes, wipe it off with a sponge, rinse/wring the sponge and wipe several more times. I've taken out stains in oak, walnut, and cherry with it. YMMV
 
Tiver gave the correct advice. Oxalic acid is mixed with hot water and trying to keep it from running down the sides is difficult. Wipe off the run off, don't let it sit there. Do not breath the dried crystals or you will have a sneezing fit like no other. After that process is done you will need to knock down the raised grain, 220 grit serrated is all you need. Sanding is highly overrated, do as little as possible.

Trying to color match the top to the old color/finish or matching the treated speaker to the untouched one is not easy for the dyi person. I suggest stripping and refinishing both cabinets, you'll be a lot happier in the end.
 
To all fantastic advice. I will do both as I think these speakers deserve the work. I want them to match finish wise and I don’t think I can skip doing both.

Again thanks for the rapid and insightful guidance. I will report back with pics but it may be a few weeks - given my upcoming schedule.
 
FWIW I just finished cleaning up my Altec Model 5 Cabinets. They had water marks from the old days so I lightly sanded the whole tops with 220 sand paper (Don't get carried away, sand lightly). then I put a 50/50 mix of mineral spirits and Minwax Tung oil finish. Let it soak in a few hours, Put a second coat after that dries. Let it sit for over night. Put on a 3rd coat of straight Tung oil Finish, wipe off the excess and let it sit for a day. Done. I hope this helps.
 
Thanks for that.

What I did to upload pictures was to click on the upload a file button next to the post reply button below. My pics ended up in a weird spot but it worked.
I am sure you will get better guidance from more experienced members here.
 
^ The reason why your pictures wound up like that is because after you "Uploaded a File" you get the option of either inserting "Thumbnail" or "Full Image". If you want the picture to be in the post choose "Full Image" BUT before you select it make sure your blinking cursor isn't between words.

Finish typing your post then hit the "return" button once or twice on you computer so the blinking cursor is below the sentence, paragraph etc and that's where the "Full Image" will go.
 
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Thank you, They are not perfect but not too bad. The pair looks the same way. the Tung oil once cured and wiped with a clean soft cotton cloth will have a bit more shine then original but not too much, Good luck with yours just remember be patient.
 
Great speakers OP.

Would be a shame to lose the original finish on both cabinets just for those two streaks. They look to be in decent shape otherwise. I’d try something conservative first (or just leave your favorite album on top). You always have the option to strip and refinish.

What caused those streaks I wonder? Something acidic?
 
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