Double Bass Duratex is the new black.

[fdeck]

Same cab, new color. This cab was 1/2 inch birch plywood, previously finished with clear poly. The blond box just seemed like it called too much attention to itself, and the head is nice enough to deserve a decent looking speaker.

The Duratex is expensive -- 50 bucks a gallon when shipping is considered. Too bad they don't sell quarts or even pints. But it should keep for a long time, and I will use it on all of my projects.

Duratex recommends a foam roller, but I used a 3-inch fuzzy roller. Of course a brush was also necessary for all of the nooks and crannies. After brushing, I went over as much as possible with the roller. Same way I paint walls. The stuff went on evenly, and the resulting texture is "just right."

Too bad this stuff is so expensive, or I would paint my house and my car with it.

Now I want to hide that ugly metal grille behind some nice black grille cloth.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Very nice work. Because of the steep price, I just used a spray on texture followed by some black spray paint. Of course, the cabinets now look like they've been through battle. I did add these for added protection:

http://www.bltsound.com/index.php?crn=135&rn=417&action=show_detail

I don't mind the grill at all. It says 'all business'.

 

[bolo]

That does look nice.

Cool amp stand too.

 

[Jazzdogg]

That looks very similar to the fantastic finish that's on my Dr. Bass cabinets (a finish I'd like to apply, or have applied, to all of my other cabinets) although your Duratex looks much smoother and glossier.

Question: Did you notice a change in the sound of your cabinet after applying Duratex?

 

[glenfong]

wish I'd heard about Duratex before I started my speaker 'make-over' project (finished it just this weekend).

here's a before and after. cab on the left is covered with formica, with the 'make-over' cab, I stripped off the formica, edging and strap handles. Installed deep grip handles (much easier to carry!) and a flip-out handle on the bottom to tilt the cab up. mortised the handle openings so the hardware is flush, and added a speakon connector.

found a paint at Kelly-Moore called "Dura-Poxy" 100% acrylic, used as floor paint. used a roller to add a bit of texture.

think I'm gonna order some Duratex when I redo the other cab.

by the way, these were built from the Moskowitz bass speaker article in Speaker Builder (2/'94).

 

[fdeck]

That looks very similar to the fantastic finish that's on my Dr. Bass cabinets (a finish I'd like to apply, or have applied, to all of my other cabinets) although your Duratex looks much smoother and glossier.

Question: Did you notice a change in the sound of your cabinet after applying Duratex?

No change in the tone that I could discern.

Duratex comes in a couple of spray grades, and one roller grade. I used the roller grade. They recommend a foam roller, which probably would have resulted in a higher texture. Also, there is a high-build spray grade for really heavy texturing. I would have to guess that any commercial maker is using a spray process.

 

[fdeck]

wish I'd heard about Duratex before I started my speaker 'make-over' project (finished it just this weekend).

here's a before and after. cab on the left is covered with formica, with the 'make-over' cab, I stripped off the formica, edging and strap handles. Installed deep grip handles (much easier to carry!) and a flip-out handle on the bottom to tilt the cab up. mortised the handle openings so the hardware is flush, and added a speakon connector.

found a paint at Kelly-Moore called "Dura-Poxy" 100% acrylic, used as floor paint. used a roller to add a bit of texture.

think I'm gonna order some Duratex when I redo the other cab.

by the way, these were built from the Moskowitz bass speaker article in Speaker Builder (2/'94).

Well, your finish job certainly looks good -- on both speakers.

If it were me, I would be tempted to use the floor paint again. I mean, the Duratex is nice, but the floor paint is paid for.

 

[dar512]

The cab looks very purty fdeck.

If I were you, I'd leave the grill as is. It's got a nice Darth Vader / Empire thing going for it.

 

[Jazzdogg]

No change in the tone that I could discern.
Duratex comes in a couple of spray grades, and one roller grade. I used the roller grade. They recommend a foam roller, which probably would have resulted in a higher texture. Also, there is a high-build spray grade for really heavy texturing. I would have to guess that any commercial maker is using a spray process.

Thanks! That's very reassuring to hear.