gel stain

[orsen]

i have a set of pardigm 7se
the cabs are showing their age.
i've heard of peeps using markers and shoe polish and the like
has anyone tried gel stain on a vinyl finish?
just wonderin
tia

 

[teal'c]

If it contains petroleum distillates it's possible it would dissolve the vinyl.

 

[dzkfraser]

Stain has to penetrate - won't do that on vinyl, will just rub off

 

[F1nut]

To color vinyl you need a dye made for that purpose.

 

[faber12]

Actually, ZAR stain, and possibly gel stain, can be used on non-porous surfaces. I have even seen ZAR used on PVC pipe. It takes a lot longer to dry, but it does work.

A wash with alcohol should clean the surface of polishes and such, and I see no reason why this should not work. The dried stain should be coated with a couple coats of urethane to protect it from wear.

ZAR stain can even be used on a painted surface with a wood graining tool to make it look like wood.

 

[allsmith]

i love gel stain...you can brush it on with a real crappy cheap coarse paint brush over white and it will look like wood grain one coat..it does take a few days to dry...put it on thick and dont wipe it off..paint it on..kinda thick and not real smooth but from a distance it looks pretty good..i have never used on speakers, just some old doors that where white..the woodgraining tool pictured above works good too and is fun! i have used the gel on blue foam insulation board with no melting of the insulation

 

[62sunbeam]

Mohawk makes markers that come in wood tones. Touch up and enjoy.

By the way that faux wood grain above looks more like ass than wood grain.
Good luck

Eric