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One Method for Veneering Speaker Cabinets

MikeCh said:
In previous discussions here, many of you read of the problems I experienced re-veneering of a set of JBL L96 cabinets. I'd taken lots of pictures along the way and since those cabinets presented a few unique challenges, I decided to document the process and share it here as much of the process was gleaned from other AK'ers experiences and advice.

It's my hope that this document might help other AK'ers in their pursuit to make worn out loudspeaker cabinets new again.


Thanks,
Mike
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Thanks. Excellent explanations and greats images.
Regards
 
tubed said:
I've found it not necessary to remove the vinyl of the speaker to be veneered as I simply remove any loose areas patch any gouges/ holes and lightly sand with some aluminum oxide sandpaper. Clean off residual dust and then use a water based contact glue on speaker and new veneer. Apply and trim with your choice of tool......beautiful job on your Qb's, Army. I'd add some internal bracing while you have the drivers out( baffle to back). Enjoy.
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Was this with smooth woodgrain vinyl, or was it the black embossed vinyl so popular now? How deep did you go in your sanding?
I have one project with each; a JBL S120 PII powered subwoofer in grained black, and a pair opf Technics SB-2200s in smooth woodgrain print. I'm dealing with dinged corners in both cases, and was wondering whether to remove the vinyl first, or strip and patch the bad spots then sand it all.
 
As long as the vinyl is on solidly, I don't think it necessary to remove it. Patch and sand, the veneer just needs a surface that it can bond to -- doesn't matter the type of vinyl covering, IMO. The CC-300 centre speaker I have pictured in the "showoff thread" was once clad in very ugly, highly damaged black vinyl; hardly looks like the same speaker that I found as a castoff in a thrift store, destined for the garbage bin.

Good luck, and have fun.
 
titanstats said:
As long as the vinyl is on solidly, I don't think it necessary to remove it. Patch and sand, the veneer just needs a surface that it can bond to -- doesn't matter the type of vinyl covering, IMO. The CC-300 centre speaker I have pictured in the "showoff thread" was once clad in very ugly, highly damaged black vinyl; hardly looks like the same speaker that I found as a castoff in a thrift store, destined for the garbage bin.
Good luck, and have fun.
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Thanks for the encouragement; I can only hope my efforts turn out as well as yours did!
One more quick question; is it necessary to try to fill (or sand out) the embossed "woodgrain" texture in the black vinyl, or will the veneer lie smooth despite the irregularities?
 
CallMeJoe said:
One more quick question; is it necessary to try to fill (or sand out) the embossed "woodgrain" texture in the black vinyl, or will the veneer lie smooth despite the irregularities?
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The surface just needs to be well-scuffed to allow whatever adhesive you are using to stick sufficiently -- the little fake bits of "woodgrain" will not show through. :)
 
Thanks to everyone for the advice. I'll try to get my digital camera fixed (or buy a new one) so that I can record the rehabilitation projects.
 
I have searched all over the web looking for "how-to" on veneering with wood glue and I have to tell ya, this blows away anything else I've found. Lot's of good quality pics that show each step and detailed instructions. Awesome! I've been waiting for this!
 
Woofman said:
I have searched all over the web looking for "how-to" on veneering with wood glue and I have to tell ya, this blows away anything else I've found. Lot's of good quality pics that show each step and detailed instructions. Awesome! I've been waiting for this!
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Thank you Woofman and the others that have written complimentary words! I'm glad that the document is of help to you :thmbsp:

Mike
 
It is indeed a great thread -- hopefully it encourages people to take that 'leap', and start a project they've been thinking about. Good job. :thmbsp:
 
I get an error message on part 1 saying Acrobat Reader could not open the file. Two and Three opened just fine.

Is the file really corruped or is it just me and my computer?:
 
ess amt said:
I get an error message on part 1 saying Acrobat Reader could not open the file. Two and Three opened just fine.

Is the file really corruped or is it just me and my computer?:
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I saw this yesterday too. Works best if you just choose to download (to your desktop or other spot) instead of "viewing" the file. Done that way, all three open fine.
 
MikeCh said:
......Lots of vintage gear we all collect only needs a cleaning with something like Murphy's Oil Soap and a light coat of either lemon oil or Howards feed-n-wax.....
Mike
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The pair of old Realistic Optimus 1B speakers that I currently have in my office/library needs just that. No scratches or dings; just kind of faded and "tired" looking. Looks like I'll have to hunt down some Murphy's Oil Soap, lemon oil, and Howards Feed-n-Wax. Do AKers have any other recommendations on how to bring my 34-year old walnut veneer speaker enclosures back to life?
 
jamesmaya said:
The pair of old Realistic Optimus 1B speakers that I currently have in my office/library needs just that. No scratches or dings; just kind of faded and "tired" looking. Looks like I'll have to hunt down some Murphy's Oil Soap, lemon oil, and Howards Feed-n-Wax. Do AKers have any other recommendations on how to bring my 34-year old walnut veneer speaker enclosures back to life?
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I found Watco Rejuvenating Oil at Lowes, and brought the veneer on a pair of Infinities back to brilliance. I was so impressed that I used Watco's Danish oil to finish the turntable plinth I built and, when I can stand to take them out of service, I'm going to sand and oil my JBL L26s with Watco oil.
 
Thanks Mike!

I owe my job to mike! Again, Thanks..

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=255774
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They turned out super! I followed it like a bible. The only thing problem I had was that the veneer got splits on two places that I had to fill but are no longer visible even though I used the blue painters tape. The splits came minutes after ironing on the veneer (while cooling) maybe from air humidity in the room being too low? But anyway , A really super documented help, and The Advents will not be the last thing I re-veneer using this methode.

Thanks Mike! :thmbsp:
 
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