Lets talk about refinishing speakers

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EndersShadow
EndersShadow Posts: 17,531
in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
I snagged a pair of Mission bookshelves today from a buddy. They are in "meh" condition. The black vinyl veneer leaves something to be desired, and the grill fabric needs redone.

I got them for pretty much a steal, and I'm gonna just have some fun with them, so I'm not worried about keeping them looking stock.

So I'm thinking about refinishing them (but using laminate instead of veneer). I've seen quite a few folks redo their SDA's or CRS's, or even Monitor speakers with new veneer, but I've got some questions.

-Do I have to remove the existing veneer?
-If I have to, what are the tools I should have to do so?
-What glue should I use to adhere the laminate to the speaker?
-Any other random tips I should be aware of?
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,098
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    Send them to Jesse... :D
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,531
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    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    Send them to Jesse... :D

    I cant afford his high caliber, high quality work.....

    I'm looking at 50 bucks for a sheet of laminate. I doubt Jesse would even look at them for less than 100 :blush:
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,028
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    My vote for textured black paint with white racing stripes
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,575
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    What laminate are you looking at?
    That may determine what glue you use.
    As with most anything your base will determine how well your laminate will bond to the base. So yes i would definitely try to remove all of it.
    Heat gun, putty knife and good razor would be my top 3.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,352
    edited March 2019
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    You want to use a glue that adheres on both sides.





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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,575
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    Waaaaaaaaaaa
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,531
    edited March 2019
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    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    What laminate are you looking at?

    Thinking along these lines...

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    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    Heat gun, putty knife and good razor would be my top 3.

    Thanks!
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,575
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    What is your plan on the corners?
    Contact cement is what I seen most of this stuff laid down with. Make it a little big then router your edges flush.

    Contact cement only sticks to contact cement so once you drop it on there is no moving it it is stuck.

    I'm no professional I've done small counter top projects only.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,531
    edited March 2019
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    I was thinking router or razor blade...

    It’s gonna be tricky because it’s not a square corner...

    r6k24dp842kx.jpeg

    ^This is the better of the two.

    I’m leaving the front baffle alone, and was debating just painting the back black to match.....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
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    Speaker looks fine. On the other hand the grill needs some work. :)
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,531
    edited March 2019
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    J
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Speaker looks fine. On the other hand the grill needs some work. :)

    What you don’t see is that the veneer is separating at the edges, it’s got some faded areas, and the second speaker is just bad....

    Chips and cracks (touched up w sharpie), along the top edges... Areas where the vener has water stains etc.....

    And yes, both grills need the fabric replaced. And I need to find another mission badge as I’m short one lol
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,575
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    Good luck...
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,799
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    Is that wood veneer or vinyl laminate?

    I have no real experience with Wilsonart laminate, but think it's more for flat surfaces. You should contact them to see if it will bend.
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  • mac71
    mac71 Posts: 6
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    Its gonna be about impossible to cover those with laminate,
    Looks like a one inch roundover on the front baffle.
    Post a photo with the grill removed.
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  • WLDock
    WLDock Posts: 3,073
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    A good idea would be to remove the vinyl laminate with a scraper and heat gun. Then sand smooth and gel stain over the MDF.
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