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Surround Dope (Sealant) Application Technique

Grid

Grid

Active Member
I just redoped a pair of Utah drivers. The original sealant had completely dried away. This is the first time I did this. But I had an idea before I started and I put that idea into practice when applying.

I connected the speaker and ran at low volume a 30 Hz tone, just loud enough to see the cone / surround vibrate. While it vibrated I applied the sealant. My thinking was, the vibrating would perfectly evenly distribute the sealant and make the cloth more thoroughly and evenly absorb the sealant.

For application around the edges, I stopped the 30 Hz tone, so that the speaker was perfectly still so that I could accurately apply around the edges.

Then I ran the 30 Hz tone once more for about five minutes.

I'm wondering, has anyone else done it this way? I'm curious what you think, even if you want to bash me for this idea.
 
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Grid said:
I just redoped a pair of Utah drivers. The original sealant had completely dried away. This is the first time I did this. But I had an idea before I started and I put that idea into practice when applying.

I connected the speaker and ran at low volume a 30 Hz tone, just loud enough to see the cone / surround vibrate. While it vibrated I applied the sealant. My thinking was, the vibrating would perfectly evenly distribute and absorb the sealant.

For application around the edges, I stopped the 30 Hz tone, so that the speaker was perfectly still so that I could accurately apply around the edges.

Then I ran the 30 Hz tone once more for about five minutes.

I'm wondering, has anyone else done it this way? I'm curious what you think, even if you want to bash me for this idea.
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Sounds reasonable to me. :)
 
Unless the woofer motion acts like sieve and pulls too much liquid through, otherwise it sounds reasonable;)
 
tubed said:
Unless the woofer motion acts like sieve and pulls too much liquid through, otherwise it sounds reasonable;)
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OK, yeah, I was wondering about that. But I was sure not to slather the stuff on. Now you have me wondering, just how did they at the factory apply the stuff? Did they intend for it to coat the one side of the cloth. Hmmm...now I'm not sure.:dunno:

EDIT: just felt underneath the cloth. Feels dry. Hope that's a good thing.
 
Grid said:
OK, yeah, I was wondering about that. But I was sure not to slather the stuff on. Now you have me wondering, just how did they at the factory apply the stuff? Did they intend for it to coat the one side of the cloth. Hmmm...now I'm not sure.:dunno:

EDIT: just felt underneath the cloth. Feels dry. Hope that's a good thing.
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No doubt you "slathered it well".
 
tubed said:
No doubt you "slathered it well".
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The directions say not to slather it. So I always kept the brush moving. I felt underneath the cloth. It is dry. So, we do not want the sealant to absorb right through the cloth, and only coat the top side?
 
I do not know about Utah speakers. But, it is clear that the guys that assembled my KLH speakers slopped that stuff all over the place! There is absolutely no indication that they even tried to be precise in their work.
 
peerson said:
I do not know about Utah speakers. But, it is clear that the guys that assembled my KLH speakers slopped that stuff all over the place! There is absolutely no indication that they even tried to be precise in their work.
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That is really interesting to know. Funny, I just saw photos of other Utah drivers like mine but which retained a lot of the sealant, and I noticed runs and bubbles!
 
Grid said:
I just redoped a pair of Utah drivers. The original sealant had completely dried away. This is the first time I did this. But I had an idea before I started and I put that idea into practice when applying.

I connected the speaker and ran at low volume a 30 Hz tone, just loud enough to see the cone / surround vibrate. While it vibrated I applied the sealant. My thinking was, the vibrating would perfectly evenly distribute the sealant and make the cloth more thoroughly and evenly absorb the sealant.

For application around the edges, I stopped the 30 Hz tone, so that the speaker was perfectly still so that I could accurately apply around the edges.

Then I ran the 30 Hz tone once more for about five minutes.

I'm wondering, has anyone else done it this way? I'm curious what you think, even if you want to bash me for this idea.
Click to expand...

seems like a reasonable thought process. I would be interested in what "dope" was used.
 
stupidhead said:
seems like a reasonable thought process. I would be interested in what "dope" was used.
Click to expand...
Hi, an AK member referred me to Roy at Audio Asylum. He got the stuff out to me in a jiffy. And he's very helpful should you have questions.
 
Grid said:
Hi, an AK member referred me to Roy at Audio Asylum. He got the stuff out to me in a jiffy. And he's very helpful should you have questions.
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Roy Champagne? If so, carry on! Wasn't aware he lurked in AA as well, I think of him more as a CSP guy.
His concoction is the right answer.
All too often people will use a product like permatex or similar and it will do more harm than good.

Enjoy
 
stupidhead said:
Roy Champagne? If so, carry on! Wasn't aware he lurked in AA as well, I think of him more as a CSP guy.
His concoction is the right answer.
All too often people will use a product like permatex or similar and it will do more harm than good.

Enjoy
Click to expand...
Mr. Champagne, indeed! I'm really glad stimpywan steered me right.
 
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