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Cleaning and Maintenance Tips for JBL L65

JBL's recommended 2:1 linseed to lemon for really dried-out wood. I've never used the linseed-turpentine combination.

I oil my speakers once a year with plain old lemon oil. It seems to be fine for the veneer surfaces.
 
I'm looking for the old material for the maintenance of wooden houses, and this is what I found (l65 user manual).
It seems that using steel wool is recommended by JBL, but it's an operation I won't be performing.

l65.png

other JBL user manual:
jbl.png
 
If it's just dirty, use a mild soap like Murphy's Oil Soap. If it needs something a bit more aggressive, you can use a Mr. Clean Magic Sponge, which is a little abrasive and with a little water (wiping frequently with a clean towel) you will be surprised how well it cleans the wood. It will also leave it very dry, so as soon as the moisture is out, I use a simple oil (like Howard's Orange Oil) formula to quench the veneer and get it back to like-new look. It's easy to over-think this, and there are many different methods, opinions, and experiences on what works. Go easy first, unless you have damage then easy is probably all that you need and the least trama to the wood / will raise the grain the least.
 
I'm looking for the old material for the maintenance of wooden houses, and this is what I found (l65 user manual).
It seems that using steel wool is recommended by JBL, but it's an operation I won't be performing.

View attachment 3423371

other JBL user manual:
View attachment 3423382
I have never used steel wool on speaker cabinets, but it works well on wood and metal. I vacuum and use a magnet to pick up the shredded pieces.

If you can flush the sanded object with water or solvent also helps clear the metal debris.
 
Hi there,

Before starting work on these L65, I'm evalueting what to do and what to replace.
Some photos oh the pads under the top glass.
After 50 years, the pads are in terrible condition; there is a sort of velvet that tend to detach very easly.

1.png



What do you recommended to restore these pads?
I've seen 2mm foam pads being sold in ebay.
should I buy a couple of this foam pads, or there a way to restore the original pads?
Thank you
 
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Yes, this is a problem which will occur with all of them regardless. Mine went bad. Take a finger to them and the foam just flakes-rubs right off.

It is sort of a sprayed or applied foam to thick card stock paper is all.

What I did was to go to a hobby lobby store and buy thin black felt sheet. I carefully rubbed off all deteriorated product. and glued the Felt with an all purpose carpenter's glue. Spread it with a thin brush to get a nice even coat. Then applied the felt, flipped them over, and trimmed excess with a razor sharp Utility Knife.

Then to re-apply the Aluminum JBL Emblems I again used a Utility Knife the carefully replace them in their correct positions.

They looked just great, like new again. But there is a downside with what I did.

That is that the top Glass has an easier tendency to slip and move. This occurs because of vibration and may quickly slip out of place if you recline your speakers rearward.

I edited because I wanted to add, that there may be companies who source such thin foam sheeting which would more correctly be a match in thickness, cosmetics. McMaster-Carr may carry such.

And a better glue than what I used would be a spray adhesive, lots of such out there. The Spray will give a perfectly even surface.
 
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Another tip for the L-65 and pretty much any JBL Speaker, and others. And that is driver retaining screws can loosen over time. Vibration is the cause. Sound will surely go to crap. The Bass Driver has the biggest propensity to loosen

One should always periodically check all driver screws that they are snug. Always use 2 hands when using a screwdriver around the drivers, there's surely more than one case where people have ran a screwdriver right through the cone.
 
@markd51

Your tips are really helpful, thank you! ;)
Is it better to use felt or buy a 2mm foam pad, like the ones on sale on eBay? what do you think?


The same foam can be found on Aliexpress for a few buks.

I just checked all the screws, they are in order, even the ones on the woofer, thanks for the advice.

:beerchug:
 
@markd51

Your tips are really helpful, thank you! ;)
Is it better to use felt or buy a 2mm foam pad, like the ones on sale on eBay? what do you think?


The same foam can be found on Aliexpress for a few buks.

I just checked all the screws, they are in order, even the ones on the woofer, thanks for the advice.

:beerchug:
Hi, I looked at the ebay ad you linked to.

Yes, something like this might work just fine. And you won't have glass tops that will slide easily as I had found by using Felt Sheet.

I am unsure though if the thick Paper Stock is still used in this application, and that they should be attached to one another? Or if the foam is only used solely without the Paper Sheet?

In any case I would probably not toss the originals. I believe thickness is important, that if the foam is too thick then the Glass will sit higher and not be flush-even with the top cabinet side's "lips"?

I might assume as well problems could arise if the foam is also too thin.

Because the Metal JBL Emblem that sits under the glass and inserts into the under-layment paper-pad would not properly encase the Emblem.

Here's another tip, I never once ever put anything on top of the speakers, no matter how cute, innocent, or seemingly harmless.

Yes, I have on occasion stacked my 4 Jubal Speakers. Of course the glass must be removed from the bottom pair. I then used rubber sheet to protect.
 
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@markd51

Thanks again for your suggestions and your time. Your messages are very useful to guide me in the restoration work.

This is the material that was stuck under one of the top glass.
I sincerely hope that this dust is not carcinogenic.


I ordered some 2mm foam sheets, I hope the thickness is right, I will cut them to the right size and insert the JBL logo in the correct position.
 
@markd51

Thanks again for your suggestions and your time. Your messages are very useful to guide me in the restoration work.

I ordered some 2mm foam sheets, I hope the thickness is right, I will cut them to the right size and insert the JBL logo in the correct position.
Yeah, the foam is the best choice. Available at craft stores, too, if you find their pieces large enough not to have to splice. :thumbsup:
 
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