Cleaning speaker cones

[agedhorse]

I saw a lot of drivers in for eventual recone because of careless cleaning, that’s why I recommended leaving them alone.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

The proper way to fix stains on your speakers is to install an opaque speaker grill on the cabinet.

 

[groooooove]

for real, just leave it alone.

no good comes from cleaning a speaker.

it's not supposed to look nice. no form here, just function. though, they do sort of look cool..

im sure you get my point.

 

[40Hz]

Unless you already know what you’re doing I would recommend leaving it alone if it isn’t affecting sound or performance. I can’t think of anyone I know who didn’t wind up regretting messing around with a speaker cone.

But I never saw the point of risking actual physical damage to something expensive to address an issue that’s (IMO) minor and purely cosmetic. But that’s probably just me.

 

[joel the bass player]

I got a Hartke kickback combo that was used at church. Looked like someone spilled/splashed coffee on the cone. Being that it was aluminum I just gently cleaned it off and moved on to trying to get the dust bunnies removed while I had the grill off. I think it had sat for quite a while. I probably wouldn't mess much with a paper cone.

 

[agedhorse]

I got a Hartke kickback combo that was used at church. Looked like someone spilled/splashed coffee on the cone. Being that it was aluminum I just gently cleaned it off and moved on to trying to get the dust bunnies removed while I had the grill off. I think it had sat for quite a while. I probably wouldn't mess much with a paper cone.

Aluminum is very different than paper.

 

[tshapiro]

If the stains really drive you crazy, get a color matched gray stain and very sparingly apply it with a micro swab applicator. You would essentially apply with a light dabbing motion, do not brush it. After you barely dip the applicator into the stain, initially dab it on paper until the excess stain has bled off. Being careful, you should be able to mask the stains.

 

[agedhorse]

If the stains really drive you crazy, get a color matched gray stain and very sparingly apply it with a micro swab applicator. You would essentially apply with a light dabbing motion, do not brush it. After you barely dip the applicator into the stain, initially dab it on paper until the excess stain has bled off. Being careful, you should be able to mask the stains.

The question begs a clarification... what type of stain should be used with a pulped paper cone???

 

[tshapiro]

The question begs a clarification... what type of stain should be used with a pulped paper cone???

I recommend a flat or satin water based semi-transparent based stain… keep in mind we’re talking about using just a hint of it on the surface of the stained spot. Water based is easier to work with for the average person which helps avoid unintended mistakes and oils can get hard over time and flake.

BTW I’m not saying that I have experience touching up speakers all the time. But, I used to own a good sized painting company and we did lots of masking vs cleaning. And, I have done it successfully with speakers at least a half dozen times over the years. YMMV

 

[Al Kraft]

IME over the years I always had the best luck with seeking out a professional to clean/restore delicate items like this. Anything old that has paper, or wood, or dry brittle plastic components, etc. can only successfully survive a certain level of "material appropriate cleaning"...a speaker technician or someone like a vintage radio restoration expert can advise you "how much cleaning is possible" and you can go from there.

 

[Supadope]

I've never cleaned a speaker cone, but I bet a pressure washer would get the stains out.

 

[Philonius]

Spray paint it bright yellow and slap a Markbass sticker on the cab?

 

[Al Kraft]

I've never cleaned a speaker cone, but I bet a pressure washer would get the stains out.

It would almost certainly be the case that you wouldn't see the stains anywhere near the basket assembly where the speaker used to be...on the other hand, audio performance would be seriously disappointing.

 

[Gabu]

You could turn your cab upside down and add matching stains on the other side.