cleaning SDA speakers

leftwinger57

A while back someone asked this but it was specifically addressing the butyl surrounds and cones. The universal answer was Original Windex and nothing else. It can also be used on the doped part of the mid driver cones which really surprised me.After drilling and fitting the rings then before **** them down I want to clean up the pair so part one is already answered.What do you use on the wood motor board where the speakers are screwed to.I already know Pledge is out( got hammered for that one) ,so is there any other cleaner besides a very wrung out sponge and water?
Both pages of the handbook 6&7 refer to 1/2"to 3/4" depending on model anti defraction grill cover Bezels.Unless I read it wrong I know F-1 refers to Bezels where the speakers are placed but I think he's wrong on this one. This is why I'm calling where they drop in the motor board. Again this term I picked up over at the Klipsch site and made perfect sense so I use it here also .I really do not think it matters whether the speakers are loaded and secured from the back ala Klipsch Heritage Line,or dropped in from the front.

F1nut

I'm not wrong :cool:

The bezels are a vinyl laminate, so Windex works perfectly.

westmassguy

I always refer to it as the "baffle". Windex is good, if they're really dirty, Fantastic or 409. I always finish with a damp cloth to remove any cleaner residue, and then a clean towel to dry them.

drumminman

I've always referred to it as the front baffle, too.

leftwinger57

Funny baffle is certainly different than Bezel. Go talk to F-I about that one. When I called it a motor board ,I just picked it up from the Klipsch site it sounded good so I used it.Really I do not think it matters all that much as long as we all agree were're talking about the same part.Calling the mid woofers the same is wrong because they do 2 different things and have seperate part numbers.Just as 1 example.Didn't hear about Fantastik or 409 ONLY USE ORIGINAL WINDEX so I was told.It's already in the house so little by little the things that are needed are here. The big disappointment is that Polk keeps on pushing back the due date for the 194s.Rings are due in this week from Larry.

westmassguy

Windex only for the Drivers, nothing else. The rest of the cabinet can be cleaned with Fantastic, or 409. If the Cabs are really filthy and sticky from years of wax build-up, I use Purple Power, it strips all the old wax right off.

westmassguy

The brown is most likely oxidized rubber from the surrounds, unless the speakers came from a smokers house

leftwinger57

Guys it's getting close and I want to have all the stuff that I need in the house. Lazareth your job on the drivers and passives dare I say is fantastik pix 9 through 11 show the effort put into cleaning these things..But the black area that all the speakers fit into whatever term you want to use,what is the is the definitive cleaner that should be used .I also have Fantastik but I might have to see if it is the kind that has bleach in it so I will not use that. I was told the 'old fish eye finish look' from Pledge doesn't quite cut it and I want these things to shine.Some cleaners also leave a soapy residue that shows up after a while.Regular Fantastik or 409 are both cheap and close by and are easy to get.To be clear ,I hear apply spray your rag and NOT ON THE DRIVERS OR PASSIVES....

westmassguy

The baffle is simply black vinyl covering, Fantastic or 409 will work perfectly. As for the cones, Windex only, and apply it to the cloth, not the cone. I use microfiber cloths. Clean the rubber surrounds first to get all the oxidized rubber off, then use a clean cloth in a circular motion, spiral outward

leftwinger57

That's the answer I was looking for.Windex only for the surrounds and drivers and either 409 or Fantastic for all the other front facing baffle and if I'm into it I'll wipe the rears also.Thanks.......Microfiber rags also don't want to leave any paper trail

westmassguy

leftwinger57 wrote: »

That's the answer I was looking for.Windex only for the surrounds and drivers and either 409 or Fantastic for all the other front facing baffle and if I'm into it I'll wipe the rears also.Thanks.......Microfiber rags also don't want to leave any paper trail

Correct. The rears are usually covered in the same black textured vinyl. Cotton rags leave lint, and you don't want that on the cones, which are naturally sticky. I buy the microfiber cloths off ebay, cheaper than the auto parts store.