Sticky Surrounds
- Thread starter davegiul
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What material are the surrounds made of? Foam, rubber, are they accordion type, or what?
I ask because the only sticky surrounds I've seen were accordions on some 15" CTS woofers from the early 70s.
I ask because the only sticky surrounds I've seen were accordions on some 15" CTS woofers from the early 70s.
Vintagecheap
Active Member
I've had some speakers in the past with rubber surrounds that got sticky. Still worked fine, but I can't remember what they were. I used rubber conditioner (for laser printer pickup rollers) and it fixed the stickiness, and didn't seem to affect the sound. Those surrounds look to be foam, though, so I wouldn't try this on foam.
Scott75s1974
Well-Known Member
Those are beautiful Imagine B's
I have some PSB Imagine mini's. All of the rubber case parts are suffering from plasticizer separation. The surrounds seem ok -- but that rubber collar around them is sticky. There are many complaints about this to be found. At one point they sold replacement case parts. I wrote asking advice for this and they suggested using a "residue-free electronics safe degreaser." For speakers of the caliber of the Imagine line, they really should have some more definitive suggestions about care. Some of those Imagine tower were designed and priced as a lifetime buy.
I've used isopropyl alcohol on one--as per a YouTube review of this speaker. It works well for getting rid of the goo--the plasticizer that migrated to the surface.
I would be nervous about using it around the driver for fear of setting off a chain reaction in the surround.
I have no idea what it will do to the rubber long term.
I'd welcome advice on if there is any treatment that could heal this problem once the sticky migrated plasticizer is removed.
I bought these used, so I don't know whether they were sprayed with furniture polish or cleaner. But it seems to be a common problem.
I have some PSB Imagine mini's. All of the rubber case parts are suffering from plasticizer separation. The surrounds seem ok -- but that rubber collar around them is sticky. There are many complaints about this to be found. At one point they sold replacement case parts. I wrote asking advice for this and they suggested using a "residue-free electronics safe degreaser." For speakers of the caliber of the Imagine line, they really should have some more definitive suggestions about care. Some of those Imagine tower were designed and priced as a lifetime buy.
I've used isopropyl alcohol on one--as per a YouTube review of this speaker. It works well for getting rid of the goo--the plasticizer that migrated to the surface.
I would be nervous about using it around the driver for fear of setting off a chain reaction in the surround.
I have no idea what it will do to the rubber long term.
I'd welcome advice on if there is any treatment that could heal this problem once the sticky migrated plasticizer is removed.
I bought these used, so I don't know whether they were sprayed with furniture polish or cleaner. But it seems to be a common problem.
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