Water Stain KLH 5

[Zack Sainz]

Hello all!

I don’t know much about wood working, I bought the speakers with the water stain.

I’ve seen the towel and iron trick work with other wood surfaces, would this trick work with KLH 5s?

thanks!

 

[Franksta]

I am not sure about a method to treat just the spot to get it to match the rest of the cabinet....What I would do is sand both cabinets down past the
finish that is on them to get as far through that spot as you feel comfortable then use Howard's Restore A Finish (walnut, nice and dark to cover that spot) on them.
That's the best bet for coming up with a match IMO. The veneer is fairly thick on the 5's but I would only use fine sandpaper and take careful care not to overdo it.
After the Restore A Finish has dried in use Howard's Feed N' Wax or Formby's Tung Oil Finish. The KLH 5's are lifetime treasured speakers and deserve all the
best you can give them! You would also be well advised to recap them too. Plenty of info on AK on how to do that and over on Classicspeakerpages.com. I did mine
myself after studying intently for a while. If I can do it anyone can. Just takes patience. Good luck!

 

[Zack Sainz]

Thanks!

I’ve been meaning to recap them. I know a recap will bring these back, but even without a recap, they sound incredible.

I am not sure about a method to treat just the spot to get it to match the rest of the cabinet....What I would do is sand both cabinets down past the
finish that is on them to get as far through that spot as you feel comfortable then use Howard's Restore A Finish (walnut, nice and dark to cover that spot) on them.
That's the best bet for coming up with a match IMO. The veneer is fairly thick on the 5's but I would only use fine sandpaper and take careful care not to overdo it.
After the Restore A Finish has dried in use Howard's Feed N' Wax or Formby's Tung Oil Finish. The KLH 5's are lifetime treasured speakers and deserve all the
best you can give them! You would also be well advised to recap them too. Plenty of info on AK on how to do that and over on Classicspeakerpages.com. I did mine
myself after studying intently for a while. If I can do it anyone can. Just takes patience. Good luck!

 

[doctorolds]

Good choice on picking up a pair of KLH 5's, nice speakers! If you really want to fully remove the water stain refer to the thread below by @4-2-7 for the best method. The damp towel and iron trick only works for minor dents and scratches. Good luck!

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...r-rings-off-the-tops-of-your-speakers.826816/

 

[Zack Sainz]

Good choice on picking up a pair of KLH 5's, nice speakers! If you really wanted to fully remove the water stain refer to the thread below by @4-2-7 for the best method. The damp towel and iron trick only works for minor dents and scratches. Good luck!

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...r-rings-off-the-tops-of-your-speakers.826816/

Thank you!

 

[doctorolds]

You are very welcome, and I hope your results turn out well. There are many threads pertaining to different finishes and techniques to apply them, be sure to do a bit of research prior to finishing for the finish desired.

 

[4-2-7]

If you really want to fully remove the water stain refer to the thread below by @4-2-7 for the best method.

Thank you!

Yes the doc is right, read the start of my thread should guid you on how to remove the dark water marks. Of course you'll need to at least strip the finish off the top of that speaker or both to have them match. Some lacquer thinner might be all you need for stripping them, at least thats where I would start. I mention steaming in that thread to open the grain so the oxalic acid and alcohol mix will work better. If you want the tops to still match the rest of the speakers limit your sanding by hand with 150-180 grit, less is more in this case.

 

[Zack Sainz]

Yes the doc is right, read the start of my thread should guid you on how to remove the dark water marks. Of course you'll need to at least strip the finish off the top of that speaker or both to have them match. Some lacquer thinner might be all you need for stripping them, at least thats where I would start. I mention steaming in that thread to open the grain so the oxalic acid and alcohol mix will work better. If you want the tops to still match the rest of the speakers limit your sanding by hand with 150-180 grit, less is more in this case.

Great! A fun project while I’m stuck inside!

 

[4-2-7]

Great! A fun project while I’m stuck inside!

Sure but have some ventilation.

 

[GD70]

4-2-7's tutorial is very good.

Your water stain isn't too bad. I had a water stain on a JBL L200 cab. Sanded it to the veneer, and used Barkeepers friend, which has oxiolic acid in it. I mixed small batches of a paste that I applied to the stain area. Each time I let it dry before wiping it off. After 10 or so applicTions, maybe 90-95% of the stain was gone. After reviling the cabs with Watcos natural color oil, they look great, and there's just a hint of the water stain ring.
Be careful sanding the cab so you don't go through the veneer.

 

[Zack Sainz]

4-2-7's tutorial is very good.

Your water stain isn't too bad. I had a water stain on a JBL L200 cab. Sanded it to the veneer, and used Barkeepers friend, which has oxiolic acid in it. I mixed small batches of a paste that I applied to the stain area. Each time I let it dry before wiping it off. After 10 or so applicTions, maybe 90-95% of the stain was gone. After reviling the cabs with Watcos natural color oil, they look great, and there's just a hint of the water stain ring.
Be careful sanding the cab so you don't go through the veneer.

Thanks Glen!

 

[GD70]

Before and after pics for inspiration!

 

[Zack Sainz]

Wow! Looks amazing!!! Thanks so much glen!

Before and after pics for inspiration!View attachment 1819608 View attachment 1819609 View attachment 1819610 View attachment 1819611 View attachment 1819612 View attachment 1819613 View attachment 1819614

 

[Tim D]

I tend to start with 220 grit and sand carefully with the grain. Watch out for the edges because it is easy to round the edges and corners and burn through the veneer. Good luck.