JBL 4311B How bad are these cabinets? Howards?

[Blue Shadow]

For an originally oiled wood finish, I keep it simple

Acetone on a rag to wipe off the old dirty oil, pledge and other contaminates on the finish
Steam to raise the grain on any scuffs or light scratches
Let dry
Sand with 220 or higher as the speakers didn't come from being hauled behind a truck bouncing on the road, they are half decent.
Wipe with acetone damped rag again...don't pour acetone on the speaker it will extra clean the wetter area
To add color, Watco Danish Oil, usually med or dark Walnut
Then when the Watco is finished, Howard's Feed and Wax. Couple coats some a few months later if needed.

And they look like new oiled, generally walnut like from the factory with a nice howards protective finish on them.

 

[F1nut]

Wax is the weakest coating one can put on wood. Howard's is not even good wax. The Watco alone is a much better coating/finish. No wax needed.

If and I say IF, you really feel the need to wax something this is the best, bar none.

Renaissance Wax Furniture Wax Polish - Solvent Based - Clear - 7 oz (200 ml) | Woodcraft

Buy the Furniture Wax Polish - Solvent Based - Clear - 7 oz (200 ml) for sale online from Woodcraft. Visit us to order online or find your local Woodcraft store today!

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[F1nut]

I see you mentioned flat black then satin black. If these were mine,I would use semi gloss black,not gloss black,semi gloss.
Also use extremely light coats. Covering black with black will be easy. If you don't use extremely light coats you will probably end up with runs in the paint.

He's painting the front bezel and rear panel, so flat is best. Semi-gloss is no bueno.

 

[triple20]

He's painting the front bezel and rear panel, so flat is best. Semi-gloss is no bueno.

My vintage JBL speakers have never been painted except from the factory and I am positive the paint they used does not look like any flat black I have ever gotten from a rattle can.
For me,rattle can flat black would be a mucho grande no bueno.

 

[F1nut]

My vintage JBL speakers have never been painted except from the factory and I am positive the paint they used does not look like any flat black I have ever gotten from a rattle can.
For me,rattle can flat black would be a mucho grande no bueno.

That's because speaker manufacturers use a material on the bezel, not paint. The material generally speaking has a flat black appearance.

 

[triple20]

That's because speaker manufacturers use a material on the bezel, not paint. The material generally speaking has a flat black appearance.

I have no idea what material is used on the front panels and respect your opinion but I'll stick by my comment.
The front panels on my JBL,Marantz or Ohm speakers do not look like any flat black I have ever sprayed from a rattle can and I've used more then 1 brand of flat black over the years.
I did use an automotive chassis black from a spray can on the bases of my Scott Pro 100 speakers and it was a perfect match for those. Chassis black is not flat it does have some gloss to it,that's why I recommended semi gloss, I didn't think the average person would know where to get automotive chassis black.

 

[Bill S]

Sand to bare wood and hand rub Waterlox oil finish, multiple coats . Build up to the gloss you want. They will be beautiful. All scratches may not come out.

 

[ic-racer]

Mine were in worse shape, but came out very nice after restoration.

 

[F1nut]

Random JBL speakers showing flat black bezels/baffles.

 

[triple20]

Random JBL speakers showing flat black bezels/baffles.
View attachment 3290651View attachment 3290652View attachment 3290653

And all 3 of these pictures make the "black" look completely different from the others.
The 3rd pic,I wouldn't even call that black.
These need to be seen in person.
We have taken up to much of the OP's thread with our little disagreement,I'll bow out now.
Have a nice evening.

 

[Roy O]

If you do go the tung oil route, remember to use pure tung oil, not the stuff mixed with varnish sold most places.

 

[Rick Owen]

The higher the gloss, the more the imperfections will show. When in really rough shape, you can't go wrong with a black-textured truck bed Liner paint, then a quick coat of flat black after it has cured.

 

[BMWCCA]

The best match I've found in decades of working with flat-black on both JBLs and automobiles has been Krylon Semi-Flat-Black #1613 which was pulled from the retail market ages ago. Mustang and Corvette restorers relied on it. But, you can still find it under the Krylon Industrial Coating label as:
KRYLON® 1613 Industrial ACRYLI-QUIK™ Semi-Flat Black Acrylic Lacquer Paint
I've purchased two cases of 6-each from online suppliers at around $12 per can plus shipping. I now hold a lifetime supply. The industrial version works just like my old stuff as it dries very quickly, blends evenly, and is a great match for many applications.

 

[Oldskoolfan]

Picked up these 4311Bs Wednesday.
Howard's Restore A Finish is your friend.