Poked a hole in a foam surround, could use some help

[djedee]

Hi guys. Sadly while tightening the drivers on my refurbed advent maestros… I accidentally drove the screw driver through the surround. It cut a little v shaped mark in the surround. The surround is.. a different kind of material than typical advent light gray foam. Is there anyway I can easily repair this with it sounding right without fully removing the surround? I’m kicking myself as I speak. Thank you. It’s quite hard to see in the pictures.. but it’s a quite large v shaped flab.

The surround is foam, I was thinking of taping the front and using rubber cement (e6000, if there’s any better alternatives please let me know) on the back. Waiting for it to cure then removing the tape. I can refoam if it comes to that, but the previous owner did a great refoam, and it’d be a shame to have to see it go so fast, but if that’s what it comes to so be it. I know this isn’t a huge problem in a ported design, but these are acoustic suspension, so apparently there’s quite a bit of pressure behind those surrounds. Really I just need something flexible that holds strong.. but e6000 seems a little too brittle when dry. I’m trying to avoid adding any paper, as I hear adding mass is no good and all the materials still there. Thanks.

 

[damacman]

That should work just fine. Don't ya' hate when you do **** like that?

 

[djedee]

That should work just fine. Don't ya' hate when you do **** like that?

even if it's acoustic suspension? thanks for the reply.

 

[onwardjames]

Acoustic suspension of course relies on total sealing. While not optimal, I don't know that it would be a huge deal unless you're truly feeding them the onions.

Me, I'd use a slightly watered down daub of Aleene's Tacky Glue. Super flexible.

Edit - Oh, and I did this very thing, "helping" a buddy install some 12'' Kicker's in his car. Had to buy him a new one, nearly 100 bucks, if memory serves, and this was '92?

"Life is hard. It's harder when you're stupid." - John Wayne.

Stuff happens, my man. Don't sweat it.

 

[RTally]

Hi guys. Sadly while tightening the drivers on my refurbed advent maestros… I accidentally drove the screw driver through the surround. It cut a little v shaped mark in the surround.

I've done this twice. Once through the surround after refoaming and another time through the cone. Ouch. I learned to place my hand between the screwdriver and the surround when messing with my drivers. If the screwdriver jumps out of the screw head, my hand will stop it.

I think a flexible glue repair would not last if you play your speakers loud. You have nothing to lose to try repairing it.

Maestro surrounds are readily available. I would buy one and use Aleene's Tacky Glue to replace the punctured one.

 

[djedee]

Acoustic suspension of course relies on total sealing. While not optimal, I don't know that it would be a huge deal unless you're truly feeding them the onions.

Me, I'd use a slightly watered down daub of Aleene's Tacky Glue. Super flexible.

Edit - Oh, and I did this very thing, "helping" a buddy install some 12'' Kicker's in his car. Had to buy him a new one, nearly 100 bucks, if memory serves, and this was '92?

"Life is hard. It's harder when you're stupid." - John Wayne.

Stuff happens, my man. Don't sweat it.

Unfortunately, I have recently acquired a space where I can feed them onions, and maybe even beans. And my ears are in the sweet spot. Which also makes this last week and the next couple a bit sad.

Sadly the surrounds must go. Wish me luck. I would’ve gone the tacky glue route if the tip was anywhere else. It’s not very visible in camera but it digs too close to the basket for me to feel like I’d get a decent seal. Thanks for the replies.

If you have any tips to remove fresh surround glue, I’d appreciate it lol. Think I’m just gonna go in with a utility knife.

 

[onwardjames]

Xacto knives are excellent for this delicate work.

I usually divide removal of glue into sections. Work on a 1/4th or so at a time. BE PATIENT. Get in a rush, and you've turned 1 mistake into 2.

Best of luck!

 

[Bill Ferris]

I've done this twice. Once through the surround after refoaming and another time through the cone. Ouch. I learned to place my hand between the screwdriver and the surround when messing with my drivers. If the screwdriver jumps out of the screw head, my hand will stop it.

Yep, I learned to do that after my first and only puncturing of a speaker in the early seventies, but I just used my left hand grasping/steading the the screwdriver`s shank while I slowly tightened the screwdriver with my right hand.

I tried to inform/educate/show any unaware person who was going to secure any speaker that protective method afterwards, and to always do it by hand manually and resist using any powered screwdriver.

 

[Bill Ashton]

IMHO, I think your accident is bothering you more than it is the speaker. Unless you are playing Also Sprach Zarathustra at ear shattering levels, just play those puppies, and if needed give yourself a dope slap! Any change in tone will be subtle. Buy some new, expensive speaker cables, it may make you feel better...

 

[onwardjames]

IMHO, I think your accident is bothering you more than it is the speaker. Unless you are playing Also Sprach Zarathustra at ear shattering levels, just play those puppies, and if needed give yourself a dope slap! Any change in tone will be subtle. Buy some new, expensive speaker cables, it may make you feel better...

This is what I should have said.

But I do understand how some folks don't want to worry about things like this, others do. Do what you need to, but honestly, I'd gently spread Aleene's over it, smooth out, and enjoy.

 

[djedee]

IMHO, I think your accident is bothering you more than it is the speaker. Unless you are playing Also Sprach Zarathustra at ear shattering levels, just play those puppies, and if needed give yourself a dope slap! Any change in tone will be subtle. Buy some new, expensive speaker cables, it may make you feel better...

I thought my choice in speaker would suggest the opposite about the cables .

Yeah, I know it doesn’t seem like a biggie. This isn’t even the first time lol. I did it on another pair of AS speakers a few years back on a 12” driver (you think I’d have learned then). I didn’t notice until I’d hit ~97db at which point there’d be a loud flublublublublublublublub sound on deep bass tracks. I didn’t bother with a repair as the woofers sucked and were unoriginal anyway. Really most of the music I listen to has quite deep bass, and while I do have a subwoofer, the speakers go as low as they can.

They’re also the nicest pair of speakers I’ve had and a sentimental item of sorts, which is why I’m bothering with it (if not a little excessively).

I bought the surrounds but I think I’ll try Aleenes first and see where that gets me. I’ll find out myself. Thanks for the replies everyone! I appreciate it.

 

[Oerets]

Been there done that..... ONCE!

The two handed method since too.

I used Aleenes from the back seems to work fine.