speaker driver restoration

[Wakefield Turntables]

OK, this is my 12" bass driver from my Celestion 44's. It looks tacky. I'd like any recommendations of chemicals or cleaning agents to fetch them back upto scratch. The cone is paper whilst the outer rim is rubber. Any help would be most welcome. Ideally I'd like to cone to be gloss black like it should be.

thanks

Andy

[walpurgis]

A very tricky problem.

Don't attempt to remove the Plastiflex type coating on the cones, it won't come off cleanly and you'll ruin the speakers.

Avoid using anything oil based on them as this will possibly dissolve the coating and also stain the cone as well affecting adhesives.

The only thing I'd suggest and I have done this myself is to use a soft cloth slightly damped with a very weak solution of water and washing up liquid to wipe the cone surface, I've found this cleans coated cones well.

Followed with a wipe with very cheap furniture polish (I used tesco's value type). I've found this leaves no waxy/oily residue and seems not to be detrimental to the cone coating. Keep it off the surrounds.

I have done this with many speakers and its worked well.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Have you tried cleaing the outer plastic rim with water and washing up liquid?

[Reid Malenfant]

Have you tried cleaing the outer plastic rim with water and washing up liquid?
If you are referring to the rubber roll surround, that will be fine ;)

[Wakefield Turntables]

Mark,

Hi! Yep thats what I'm referring to. Thanks for speed reply. I think i'll have another 30 minutes on them before calling it quits tonight. :cool:

Andy

[The Grand Wazoo]

This might sound mad, but try rolling up some bread into a little ball & gently rubbing the paper cones - it might clean them up well. It's a technique they use in art restoration.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Are you serious :scratch:

[The Grand Wazoo]

Yes, deadly serious.
It was good enough for the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel mate!

Google it - the first hit is this one:
http://www.biddingtons.com/content/mrscleanpainting.html

QUOTE:
Using dough pulled from the inside of the loaf, scrub the painting using gentle pressure. You will see the soil collect on the dough. Get a new hunk of dough as the older piece gets dirty or disintegrates. Continue this process over the entire surface of the work.
4. Using a soft bristle brush--such as a good quality house painting brush--brush the remaining dough crumbs off the painting. Go methodically over the entire surface because the dough likes to stick and any remaining crumbs would be an enticement to insects.