Refinished LSi9

specd_out
specd_out Posts: 505
edited April 2014 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
About a month ago I got some first gen LSi9's in cherry. While I love the speakers I just could not get to liking the cherry on the first gens. To me it looked like bamboo placemats
stock-photo-empty-bamboo-place-mat-9145684.jpg

So with help from F1nut (a lot of help) I stripped the finish and refinished the panels. I did a combination of Rustoelum Cabernet and Black Cherry stains and the covered it with about 10 coats of lacquer that I sprayed on. The color was pretty spot on to what I wanted.

It was not and easy task. If I where to do it again I would just remove the veneer and apply a new one. The veener peeled on every panel except one. The original glue was not very strong when moisture, or heat was applied. Huge pain in the butt. Got them all glued down but its not a smooth as it once was. Not a deal breaker but o'well.

I also refinished the sanus stands in the same color and did the bases in a Piano black vs the flat black they once where. Overall I am very happy with the end result. Its my first venture into wood refinishing and I surprised my self with how well it came out. If it wasnt for the peeling issue I am pretty sure they wood be perfect. I also need to find a better two sided tape. What I used is too thick and I am not happy with the gap on the edges.

Once again a huge thanks to F1nut

Before
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HT Rig Samsung 64F8500 |Pioneer Elite BDP-52FD|Pioneer Elite VSX-32| Two Carver TFM-15cb Bridged for mains|Polk Audio RTiA5 Cherry|Polk Audio CsiA6 Cherry|Polk Audio T-15 Heights|Polk Audio FXia6 Surround|DIY 8cuft Dayton Ultimax 15" powered with a Crown XLS1000
2Channel Rig Polk Audio LSi9 Cherry| Carver C-1BillD Mod|Carver M1.0t MkII Opt2|Pro-ject RM 1.3|SpeedBox S|AQ King Cobras|AQ Rocket88|
ISF Level 2 Certified Calibrator
Post edited by specd_out on
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Comments

  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited February 2013
    Man those are beautiful,nice job.
    Dan
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  • bklynNupe
    bklynNupe Posts: 728
    edited February 2013
    nice, love the stands as well!

    emotiva xpa-2
    emotiva xpa-3
    Denon 3312ci
    Rtia9 /csia6 / FXi A6
    Samsung LN46A650
    SVS PB-12-NSD sub

    Audio Research SP-9 MKIII (GNSC mods)
    W4S ST250
    Lsi 9 (mods)
    W4S DAC-2
    Mac Mini
    Audio Aero Prima CD player
    Pro-Ject debut
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  • htrdln
    htrdln Posts: 116
    edited February 2013
    looks good!
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,984
    edited February 2013
    Very very nice!! :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited February 2013
    Those look fantastic
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  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,843
    edited February 2013
    Very nice, indeed!

    Well done!
    Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.

    Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,027
    edited February 2013
    They look really nice now. Good job!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • ratster
    ratster Posts: 324
    edited February 2013
    Good job. They look great.
    Main
    Parasound P5
    Parasound A21
    CA music streamer
    marantz 6005
    Clear Day dbl.shotgun
    Morrow Xlr
    1.7 Maggies


    Bedroom
    adcom Gfp750
    Adcom 555
    Rotel 1072
    CA tuner
    LsiM703
    Clear day dbl shotgun
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited February 2013
    Looks Great!

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • specd_out
    specd_out Posts: 505
    edited February 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    They look really nice now. Good job!

    Thanks everyone. But this guy^ was a huge help I dunno if it would have come out as good as it did with out his responses to my many many PM's. lol
    HT Rig Samsung 64F8500 |Pioneer Elite BDP-52FD|Pioneer Elite VSX-32| Two Carver TFM-15cb Bridged for mains|Polk Audio RTiA5 Cherry|Polk Audio CsiA6 Cherry|Polk Audio T-15 Heights|Polk Audio FXia6 Surround|DIY 8cuft Dayton Ultimax 15" powered with a Crown XLS1000
    2Channel Rig Polk Audio LSi9 Cherry| Carver C-1BillD Mod|Carver M1.0t MkII Opt2|Pro-ject RM 1.3|SpeedBox S|AQ King Cobras|AQ Rocket88|
    ISF Level 2 Certified Calibrator
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  • xftman
    xftman Posts: 153
    edited February 2013
    Look very nice.
    MAIN:
    Front- LsiM 707 (MIT Terminator 2 Bi-Wire),
    Center- lsiM 706,
    Surrounds- lsi F/X,
    Power sub PSW1000,
    Receiver- Harman Kardon Avr 3700,
    Amp - Emo XPR-5.

    Secondary (2.1):
    LsiM 703,
    HK Avr 3700,
    Yaqin MS-30L,
    Polk DSW-PRO 400.
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2013
    You did yourself proud. Looks great and the sense of accomplishment makes the effort worth it I'm sure.
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • geoff727
    geoff727 Posts: 546
    edited February 2013
    Very elegant looking. Nice!
    Polk SDA SRS 2
    Polk RTA 15tl
    Polk Monitor 7C
    Polk Lsi9
    Infinity RS-II (modded)
    Infinity RS-IIIa (modded)
    Infinity RS 2.5 x 2
    Magnepan 1.6QR (modded)

    System: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vevol&1290711373
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited February 2013
    Nice set up, very clean. Speaks look good too!
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • monepolk
    monepolk Posts: 1,146
    edited February 2013
    Very nice job they turned out great. What did you use to strip the finish?
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  • specd_out
    specd_out Posts: 505
    edited February 2013
    I used strip kleen paste. At first I tried the liquid. Dumb Idea. The stuff has to sit on there for a few mins and the liquid just ran off as soon as it went on
    HT Rig Samsung 64F8500 |Pioneer Elite BDP-52FD|Pioneer Elite VSX-32| Two Carver TFM-15cb Bridged for mains|Polk Audio RTiA5 Cherry|Polk Audio CsiA6 Cherry|Polk Audio T-15 Heights|Polk Audio FXia6 Surround|DIY 8cuft Dayton Ultimax 15" powered with a Crown XLS1000
    2Channel Rig Polk Audio LSi9 Cherry| Carver C-1BillD Mod|Carver M1.0t MkII Opt2|Pro-ject RM 1.3|SpeedBox S|AQ King Cobras|AQ Rocket88|
    ISF Level 2 Certified Calibrator
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  • monepolk
    monepolk Posts: 1,146
    edited February 2013
    Thanks thinking about doing mine. Changing from the black to cherry.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited February 2013
    Absolutely beautiful, great job!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,812
    edited February 2013
    Nice work!!
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited February 2013
    Those look amazing. Nice job.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • specd_out
    specd_out Posts: 505
    edited February 2013
    monepolk wrote: »
    Thanks thinking about doing mine. Changing from the black to cherry.
    If you have a first gen. Just replace the veneer. It was such a huge pain because the glue they use does not stay glued down. It can easily ruin the job.
    HT Rig Samsung 64F8500 |Pioneer Elite BDP-52FD|Pioneer Elite VSX-32| Two Carver TFM-15cb Bridged for mains|Polk Audio RTiA5 Cherry|Polk Audio CsiA6 Cherry|Polk Audio T-15 Heights|Polk Audio FXia6 Surround|DIY 8cuft Dayton Ultimax 15" powered with a Crown XLS1000
    2Channel Rig Polk Audio LSi9 Cherry| Carver C-1BillD Mod|Carver M1.0t MkII Opt2|Pro-ject RM 1.3|SpeedBox S|AQ King Cobras|AQ Rocket88|
    ISF Level 2 Certified Calibrator
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited February 2013
    Luvs it
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,299
    edited February 2013
    Those are AWESOME!!! And a perfect match with the stands.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited February 2013
    Look Great.
    Now sit back and enjoy.
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  • michael1947
    michael1947 Posts: 775
    edited February 2013
    That's a great finish. Could you be more specific on your process and material as I have a project in mind. Thanks.
    Main Family Room: Sony 46 LCD, Sony Blue Ray, Sony DVD/VCR combo,Onkyo TXNR 708, Parasound 5250,
    Polk SDS-SRS with mods, CSI 5 center + Klipsch SC2, Polk RT2000P rears, Klipsch KG 1.5's sides, Polk Micro Pro 1000, Polk Micro Pro 2000, Polk SW505, Belkin PF60, Signal Cable Classics,Monster IC's, 2 15 amp circuits & 1 20 amp circuit.

    Living Room: Belkin PF60, Parasound HCA2200, MIT ProlineEXP balanced IC's,Emotiva XDA-1 DAC/Pre,Emotiva ERC2 transport,MIT AVT2, Polk LSI 9's.
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited February 2013
    Very nice.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • specd_out
    specd_out Posts: 505
    edited February 2013
    michael1947 wrote: »
    That's a great finish. Could you be more specific on your process and material as I have a project in mind. Thanks.

    I stripped the panels with the stripping paste. let it sit for about 15 min. Scraped it of with a plastic putty knife and a stripping pad.

    Sanded it all smooth to bare wood with 120 180 220.

    Cleaned with mineral spirits.

    Applied liberal coat of prestain conditioner

    Let dry

    Stained until I reached the color I wanted and it was even across the panels

    Lightly sanded with 220 in areas not perfect

    Touch up staining

    Dry

    Applied Nitrocellouse lacquer finish. (minwax brushing lacquer) reduced 2:1 with thinner.

    Sprayed panels with 3 coats let dry

    wet sanded with 400

    Another 3 coats let dry and sanded until I ran out of lacquer. It ended up being about 10 coats per panel. enough to almost completely fill the grain

    Let dry for a few days in the direct sun. Wet sanded with 600 then 1500

    Polished out with various compounds pads and buffers.
    HT Rig Samsung 64F8500 |Pioneer Elite BDP-52FD|Pioneer Elite VSX-32| Two Carver TFM-15cb Bridged for mains|Polk Audio RTiA5 Cherry|Polk Audio CsiA6 Cherry|Polk Audio T-15 Heights|Polk Audio FXia6 Surround|DIY 8cuft Dayton Ultimax 15" powered with a Crown XLS1000
    2Channel Rig Polk Audio LSi9 Cherry| Carver C-1BillD Mod|Carver M1.0t MkII Opt2|Pro-ject RM 1.3|SpeedBox S|AQ King Cobras|AQ Rocket88|
    ISF Level 2 Certified Calibrator
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  • CCNJ
    CCNJ Posts: 384
    edited February 2013
    Very nice job. They look great.
    Rig1 - Totem Hawks, Benchmark HDR, Parasound A21, Sonus, Samsung 52 LCD, Audioquest Type4
    Rig2 - LFD LE IV Integrated, Harbeth P3ESR, Rega Dac, MF V-Link, IMAC, Audioquest Type4
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,027
    edited February 2013
    Let dry for a few days in the direct sun.

    Never do that. I'm surprised the heat from the sun didn't cause blisters in the lacquer.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • specd_out
    specd_out Posts: 505
    edited February 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    Never do that. I'm surprised the heat from the sun didn't cause blisters in the lacquer.

    I just treated it like I did when I paint a car outside. Sprayed it, let it set for a min then right in to the sun for the rest of the day.

    Next time I wont.
    HT Rig Samsung 64F8500 |Pioneer Elite BDP-52FD|Pioneer Elite VSX-32| Two Carver TFM-15cb Bridged for mains|Polk Audio RTiA5 Cherry|Polk Audio CsiA6 Cherry|Polk Audio T-15 Heights|Polk Audio FXia6 Surround|DIY 8cuft Dayton Ultimax 15" powered with a Crown XLS1000
    2Channel Rig Polk Audio LSi9 Cherry| Carver C-1BillD Mod|Carver M1.0t MkII Opt2|Pro-ject RM 1.3|SpeedBox S|AQ King Cobras|AQ Rocket88|
    ISF Level 2 Certified Calibrator
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