Speaker refinishing and refurbishing: Post your experiences and photos here.

[dc270]

Refinishing

Glad to see this discussion, a lot of nicely done prejects.
I prefere a build up hand rubbed tung oil finishes, about 4 to 6. Steel wool betweeen every coat, 00 to 000 to 000,. Final finish would be 0000 wool then paste wax maintenance.
later

 

[kbott]

I just finished did my JBL L50's with the restor-a-finish approach. They weren't in such shape that a total strip was needed. They came out pretty decent. I did use a fine steel wool as they suggested though to smooth everything out. My main goal was to freshen them up a bit before I put them up for sale

 

[Hillman]

Nice looking speakers guys. I prefer the tung oil approach also because it is easy to work with and touch up is a breeze. If they get dull after a few years just use some steel wool and give them a coat of oil. Keeps them looking like new.

 

[k9gardner]

Bose 901 series III in walnut: before and after.

But but but... you didn’t tell the story! What’d you use? I have a pair of JBL L40s that I’ve just refoamed and now turning to the cabinets. They’re in about the shape of these (the before!). I’m thinking basic Tung oil and steel wool, maybe wax after. Thoughts?

 

[Thierry]

ESS AMT 1a BEFORE

ESS AMT 1a AFTER

In between, there was of course a comprehensive of work done on the cabinets and drivers, but the crossovers were also refurbished, improved and relocated.

Full story in pictures here : https://goo.gl/photos/HRJonKUKSTucWXgb8

Crossover BEFORE

Crossovers AFTER

 

[Porkloin]

ESS AMT 1a BEFORE

ESS AMT 1a AFTER

In between, there was of course a comprehensive of work done on the cabinets and drivers, but the crossovers were also refurbished, improved and relocated.

Full story in pictures here : https://goo.gl/photos/HRJonKUKSTucWXgb8

Crossover BEFORE

Crossovers AFTER

Your photo essay, to an audiophile, was like a Harlequin romance to a love-sick spinster. Beautiful, well-detailed work and an inspiration to us all.

 

[Thierry]

Thanks for the good words mate.

 

[Wardsweb]

But but but... you didn’t tell the story! What’d you use? I have a pair of JBL L40s that I’ve just refoamed and now turning to the cabinets. They’re in about the shape of these (the before!). I’m thinking basic Tung oil and steel wool, maybe wax after. Thoughts?

Actually very simple. Sanded very gently down to 400 grit as not to sand through the veneer and sprayed with DEFT semi-gloss lacquer. That's it. Well, I did refoam all the drivers with the V-roll cloth surrounds.

 

[cassette]

Ok, so this may or not fit into this as I don't have pics. I recently redid a pair of DLK 1.5s by sanding down smooth and refinishing with BriWax. We have other furniture in the house and that is how we learned about Briwax, but it seems like a nice way to go. You can choose different tints and then wax and shine away!
A

 

[dzkfraser]

ESS AMT 1a BEFORE

ESS AMT 1a AFTER

In between, there was of course a comprehensive of work done on the cabinets and drivers, but the crossovers were also refurbished, improved and relocated.

Full story in pictures here : https://goo.gl/photos/HRJonKUKSTucWXgb8

Be interested to know how exactly you repaired those corners - also, how did you create the badges- 3D printer?

 

[centsless]

But but but... you didn’t tell the story! What’d you use? I have a pair of JBL L40s that I’ve just refoamed and now turning to the cabinets. They’re in about the shape of these (the before!). I’m thinking basic Tung oil and steel wool, maybe wax after. Thoughts?

You dug up a thread that is over twelve years old. Probably not around anymore.

 

[DaveNeal]

ADS L-810 refinish.

As duly noted here in an earlier thread, I recently acquired some early production ADS L-810 (consecutive serial #'s) at a local garage sale. They were a little beat up, and I have restored them as follows.

Cabinets: Scratches on top steamed and largely removed with damp cloth and hot iron. Cabinets lightly sanded (220 and 400 grit) and refinished with Watco Danish oil (Neutral) (do not use polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer - ever!). Once oil is fully cured (at least 72 hours), lightly burnish the cabinets with Fine (# 0000) steel wool for that ultra-fine, hand-rubbed, satin finish. After all that work, here is the real treat: Apply a thin coat of paste wax (I use Minwax Neutral), then rub it down with a terry cloth after about 15 minutes (this process is akin to paste polishing your car) - this will really bring the sheen out!

Baffle and back-board cleaned and spruced up (I used paste wax). ADS sticker on the rear was coming off and was glued back.

Drivers: Woofers had several puncture holes (caused by previous owner's cat) in butyl surrounds, cone and dust cover. Sealed from the backside with GE Silicone Sealant II.

Grille: Frames resprayed. Speaker cloth purchased from Parts Express (using the link from AK) and applied with hot-glue. New velcro strips attached with staples. ADS emblems purchased from ADS restorer Richard So in Phoenix, AZ.

Stands: The original Braun stands have been re-sprayed with Satin Black Rustoleum - they now look as good as new. Furniture pads applied to stand bottoms to isolate stands/speakers and to protect my hardwood floors. Thanks to the use of stands through their life, the underside of the speakers are in perfect condition.

The color of the cabs is Oak (as opposed to the darker Mahogany finish) - I really like the blond tint as it fits in nicely with my furnishings. I also like the look of them with the stands (my wife calls them "R2D2" - I can live with that, but thought that this term was reserved for ESS AMT's!).

Overall, the speakers now look as good as new: They will never become "$1,000 eBay jobs" due to the driver puncture scars, but will serve my use as primary living room speakers, hopefully for a long time.

If anyone has ideas for further restoration ideas for sonic improvement (recapping, reconing), please let me know.

Photos enclosed.

Rgds,

Njord, I’m new to this and starting with a refinish of four very nice sounding Marantz Imp 7s. My question: What is the process of removing scratches and marks from the veneer by, as you say, Scratches on top steamed and largely removed with damp cloth and hot iron. ?