Removable Side Cloth On SDA-SRS

stogie

Almost all the cloth (with the excetion of the strips along the rear edge) on these speakers have been damaged by a cat, I beleive. The front cloth seems realtivey staight forward to replace but the side panels are a different story. From what I have read here, the sides are glued to the enclosure in an "S" pattern and need to be worked off with a putty knife or similar tool. It appears the board under the side cloth is not a solid piece. There seem to be three large areas under the cloth that do not have any board behind them- like it is framed. I guess, since it will be replaced anyway, the cloth can be cut to see what's underneath. Anyone with any thoughts/experience/tips/tricks?

Since the side cloth on the rear edge is in great shape, I was going to leave it intact. That being said, any cloth recommenedation that is close to texture and color of the original cloth. Or should I just go ahead and replace those rear strips too, so it all matches?

F1nut

IIRC, those side panels pop off.

Replace all the cloth as you'll never get a match to the original.

bikezappa

How do you pop off the side panels? Are there photos showing the procedure?

Thanks

stogie

Yes, how do they pop off? What is "IIRC", sorry if stupid question. I think you are right about replacing all the cloth. Any recommended cloths that are both attractive and close to transparent?

bikezappa

I think Parts Express sells the correct cloth.

teekay0007

stogie wrote: »

What is "IIRC", sorry if stupid question.

IIRC = If I Recall Correctly

I asked the same question a while back....therefore, absolutely NOT a stupid question!

F1nut

They are a frame like the front, they snap in place using the ball and cup. Grab it by the edge and gently pull.

F1nut

Parts Express sells suitable cloth, but it's not the exact same as what Polk used.

stogie

I'll check out parts express. From past experiences I'll use the 3M spray adhesive. For me it worked so much better than a cheaper brand I tired- although that was for auto headliner replacement.

Thanks for the IIRC info- I'll have to research the internet lingo

stogie

Thank you F1nut for the side panel removal info. I'll give it a shot in the AM. I guess the cloth does not have to be an exact replacement as long as both speakers look the same.

proffitt

Stogie- I hope you are able to get them off in the way that F1Nut suggests. He's usually right, so I'd be very surprised if they weren't easy snap off. If by chance they are glued on, you are in for a bit of a project. But its possible. Either way, do it and don't put new cloth on the front and try to leave old cloth on the side.
Mine (SDA SRS 2) were glued on. If any one else has landed here and has to take off the glued-on side panels, I took it on and came out a winner (barely). Some gotchas and "be careful for" tips are in the write up.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?138538-SDA-SRS-2-need-CPR-and-ICU-life-support&highlight=icu+life+support

Side panels come off on the first page, with photos.

DarqueKnight

stogie wrote: »

From what I have read here, the sides are glued to the enclosure in an "S" pattern and need to be worked off with a putty knife or similar tool. It appears the board under the side cloth is not a solid piece. There seem to be three large areas under the cloth that do not have any board behind them- like it is framed. I guess, since it will be replaced anyway, the cloth can be cut to see what's underneath. Anyone with any thoughts/experience/tips/tricks?

The SDA SRS side panels are held in place with tight plastic fasteners called trelocks. Use a putty knife or flat blade screwdriver to gently pry the side panels off. You can see pictures of the SRS with the side panels removed in figure 11 of this thread:

Curly-Maple-End-Caps-and-Side-Strips-For-The-SDA-SRS

The knit fabric I used to replace the stock grille cloth was "Ponte" cloth from Hancock Fabrics. It is lighter, thinner and more sonically transparent than the stock cloth.

westmassguy

Parts Express sells the typical stretchy knit you can buy anywhere, but the also sell a premium fabric:
http://www.parts-express.com/mellotone-premium-black-speaker-grill-cloth-yard-64-wide--260-332
I believe nspindle used it for one of his projects, so check with him.

stogie

thanks dk and f1- worked like a charm, very tightly held on though. next is how to remove the wood strip from the side panel. it seems to be glued in. there are holes in the side panel behind where the wood strip fits, but no fasteners. can anyone help with removal technique? thank you

proffitt

I would believe F1 that they are "supposed to be" snapped on, if the model was conveyed to him correctly. He knows. But.... Is there a chance that these were glued on after the fact, by a previous owner?
If factory glued, see my link in previous post where I remove the factory glued panels. Pictures and tips included. It's a bear, but can and should be done if you are replacing any fabric. If they were glued on by someone else, not sure what you're into. Let us know.

stogie

The entire side panel came off as F1 and DK stated. But mounted within the side panel is a strip of walnut which runs from top to bottom and does not want to come out. Before I do something that may cause damage, I was hoping someone has removed this before and could offer some advice. Thanks

DarqueKnight

stogie wrote: »

The entire side panel came off as F1 and DK stated. But mounted within the side panel is a strip of walnut which runs from top to bottom and does not want to come out. Before I do something that may cause damage, I was hoping someone has removed this before and could offer some advice. Thanks

I addressed this in the thread I linked to previously. This comment follows figure 12 in that thread:

DarqueKnight wrote: »

The solid oak side strips were held in place with twelve 5/8" long finishing nails. In addition to this, the left speaker's side strips were also glued down. The right speaker's side strips were nailed down with no glue. The left strip was removed with some difficulty because of the glue. The right strip was easily pried off with a small flat blade screwdriver. The nails were easily removed with the claw end of a hammer.

I used 5/8 inch #8 flat head Phillips wood screws in the existing countersunk holes to secure the maple strips to the side panels.

Curly-Maple-End-Caps-and-Side-Strips-For-The-SDA-SRS

stogie

DK, sorry my bad. I missed that in speed reading the thread yesterday- i'll try to slow down next time.

stogie

Wood insert came off the side panel but not without a fight. One down and three to go. Just go slow if you have to do this with your SRS's as the wood panel bends alot as you pry it off the length of the panel. This particular piece was nailed and glued. DK said that some of his were nailed only. I hope this is the case with the rest of them- should make removal easier.

Side panel with wood insert showing nails and glue

proffitt

Obviously the nails came after the factory. Mine had been nailed too. If a previous owner had used nails!!!, imagine what else they could have done. Copious amounts of glue could be "after factory" too. As I experienced.

Seems to be going well for you though. Mine were particle board under the fabric, and under the wood veneer. Some of the pieces under the fabric broke when they came off. I had to fabricate new ones out of really thin plywood. Thank goodness the veneer pieces did not break, don't know what I would have done then.

Do you have to do any refinishing or sanding? Be careful if so, they are likely a real thin veneer. Sand with caution.

stogie

I believe the nails are factory. DK's SRS's had the wood side strips nailed in on all four sides and, in addition, two of the sides pieces were glued also. See post #17 above. The nails were driven in from the backside of the side panels, not the front.

The wood pieces are in great shape- no refinishing needed. They are solid wood, no veneer- walnut I believe.