How to clean old Altec 515B woofer cones?

[Brent71]

I'm looking for some advice on how to properly clean the cones on a pair of Altec 515B woofers. The woofers have a decent coating of dust on the bottom half of the cones, and dad and I are looking for the best way to clean them without damaging or discoloring the cones. Never been around any smoke, but his road was gravel up until about 10 years ago, so a fair amount of dust collected on them over the years. If they weren't paper I'd just use a damp cloth to wipe them down.

My dad has had these since he bought them new close to 55 years ago. He hasn't used these speakers for several years, so the 515B woofers, along with 511 horns, 802D drivers and N-500-G crossovers are all going to be for sale in the near future.

 

[Nyjblbob]

The first thing is to get the loose dirt and dust off
I use a soft/clean vacuum brush. Do Not use a vacuum with out the brush
Care taken not to damage
The possibly fragile/ brittle cone. Both sides.
I have used a slightly damp soft cloth with Isopropyl alcohol on the Cones
But don’t use it on the surrounds. Just the Vacuum and brush on them

 

[bowtie427ss]

A high quality, clean, new paint brush and light compressed air. I use my shop compressor and blow gun with the regulator turned down to 15 - 20 PSI.

Since you have expressed the intent to sell i would offer the following:

To a serious collector or Altec enthusiast the dust belongs there, and the choice to remove as well as the method used should be theirs.

Most of the 515's that have, and will go thru my hands have years of screen paint over-spray on them that belongs there as much as 40 years of dust.

Most of the buyers that are going to pay real money for them don't want YOU to touch them one bit more than you have to. They would rather buy them dirty and deal with it themselves.