RTi6 & RTi4 Rubber Surrounds
Options
Asking for an opinion concerning the rubber surrounds and dust caps on these models. A few months ago I had to replace the dust caps on my RTI6's because the rubber had completely dried out and crumbled to the touch.
Anyway, the surrounds are intact, but don't feel as supple when I first got them. Same with my 4s. So, my question is this, is it safe to use something like Armor All Protectant on the surrounds and dust caps of the speakers? I could replace them and customer support has advised me that replacement speakers run at $60.00 bucks a pop for the drivers. Not too bad, but funds I don't have in our budget right now. Anyway, just trying to preserve what I got and trying to make it last. If anyone knows of a better product for this purpose, hit me.
TIA,
Mike
Anyway, the surrounds are intact, but don't feel as supple when I first got them. Same with my 4s. So, my question is this, is it safe to use something like Armor All Protectant on the surrounds and dust caps of the speakers? I could replace them and customer support has advised me that replacement speakers run at $60.00 bucks a pop for the drivers. Not too bad, but funds I don't have in our budget right now. Anyway, just trying to preserve what I got and trying to make it last. If anyone knows of a better product for this purpose, hit me.
TIA,
Mike
Comments
-
Jstas can probably recommend something. Armor All isn't it.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 -
Thanks Jesse, I'll send him a PM.
-
On the vintage butyl surrounds, Ive been using wintergreen oil cut down to 70% by isopropyl alc. Works great to soften them back from dry-aging.Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
-
On the vintage butyl surrounds, Ive been using wintergreen oil cut down to 70% by isopropyl alc. Works great to soften them back from dry-aging.
Thanks chopper. Do you have a link to the product and how you're using it?
-
You can use any 100% pure essential oil product. It only takes a couple mL to do a pair of MW's using a small brush to apply after dilution of isopropyl alc. Apply a wet sheen then simply let air-dry.
https://www.amazon.com/Artizen-Wintergreen-Essential-100-NATURAL/dp/B06Y2H5C3D/ref=mp_s_a_1_19_maf_2?crid=3DBJMBK413483&keywords=w intergreen+oil&qid=1692955953&sprefix=wintergreen+oil%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-19Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists. -
The dust caps on the drivers cracking appears really common on the RTi series...
You folks wouldn't know if this affects the RTxxxp series now, would you? -
Isopropanol (IPA) is widely used as a drying solvent and cleaning agent. A drying solvent is not something one should apply to butyl rubber.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 -
Brian
One-owner Polk Audio RTA 15TL speakers refreshed w/ Sonicap, Vishay/Mills and Cardas components by "pitdogg2," "xschop" billet tweeter plates and BH5 | Stereo REL Acoustics T/5x subwoofers w/ Bassline Blue cables | Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III integrated tube amp | Technics SL-1210G turntable w/ Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 MM cart | Sony CDP-508ESD CD player (as a transport) | LampizatOr Baltic 4 tube DAC | Nordost & DH Labs cables/interconnects | APC H15 Power Conditioner | GIK Acoustics room treatments | Degritter RCM -
Isopropanol (IPA) is widely used as a drying solvent and cleaning agent. A drying solvent is not something one should apply to butyl rubber.
Can you explain that science?Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists. -
Really...LOLPolitical 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 -
Really. Is it the solvent or solute in this application? And why?Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
-
'Nuff said.Exposing rubber to rubbing alcohol infrequently can cause discoloration and deterioration, but prolonged use of isopropyl alcohol will wear down and eventually destroy it.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 -
Rubber referred to there is latex. Butyl is not latex. You still haven't answered the basic question. Solute or solvent in this application, Bill Nye?Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
-
No, it refers to rubber. Latex is actually pretty resistant to isopropyl.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 -
Little dodgy today, chief.Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
-
You can keep ignoring the facts, but it isn't a good reflection on you.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 -
It's pretty easy to look up chemical compatibility of rubbers and other materials: 1 is the highest rating in this chart.
And:
George / NJ
Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Crown D150 amp
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
iFi nano iDSD DAC
iPurifier3
iDefender w/ iPower PS
Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform -
^^^Facts are hard to embrace nowadays^^^Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
-
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 -
WoW! Lots of comments @0930hrs as I wake up reading this thread. And yeah, I thought about the use of alcohol on the surrounds and to be honest, I'm reluctant to go with that. I won't even use alcohol based cleaners on my records. Nothing personal xchop. I'm going to wait on John's recommendation since he's very knowledgeable in this area. If he gives the GO on this method then I'll reconsider.
Aloha
-
Isopropyl Alcohol is OK for continuous contact in an O-ring seal. It couldn't possibly deteriorate a surround where it is free to evaporate in pretty short order.
Methyl Salicylate is "Fair" or "Minor to Moderate Effect", so go easy on the quantity as I believe xschop suggested. I wouldn't submerge it in the stuff by any means:
George / NJ
Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Crown D150 amp
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
iFi nano iDSD DAC
iPurifier3
iDefender w/ iPower PS
Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform -
WoW! Lots of comments @0930hrs as I wake up reading this thread. And yeah, I thought about the use of alcohol on the surrounds and to be honest, I'm reluctant to go with that. I won't even use alcohol based cleaners on my records. Nothing personal xchop. I'm going to wait on John's recommendation since he's very knowledgeable in this area. If he gives the GO on this method then I'll reconsider.
Aloha
I'll let nutter off the hook, since he didn't answer, but gaslight.
In this application the 50\50 mix of 70% isopropyl alc. to wintergreen oil renders it the solute by standard chemistry definition. In layman's terms it just thins the oil. No chemical reaction/attack occurs during the 15-20 min drying process as the methyl salicylate infuses into the butyl rubber, softening it.
Stoichiometry is not part of the woke science today.
I've done this to quite a few MW's now and have only seen good results.
Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists. -
I just read a thread on audiogon and this is what Albert Von Schweikert recommends.
https://www.parts-express.com/CAIG-RBR100L-25C-Rubber-Cleaner-and-Rejuvenator-25mL-341-287?quantity=1
PDF is here: https://www.parts-express.com/pedocs/more-info/341-287--caig-rbr100l-25c-msds.pdf
audiogon thread is here: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/treatment-for-rubber-speaker-surrounds
I'm still going to wait on Jstas to get back to me. When I replaced the dust caps on my 6's his advice and expertise was solid and appreciated. -
No disrespect to Albert but I would be reticent to try that since a main ingredient is Mineral Oil and that is not recommended for Butyl Rubber.
George / NJ
Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Crown D150 amp
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
iFi nano iDSD DAC
iPurifier3
iDefender w/ iPower PS
Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform -
Gardenstater wrote: »No disrespect to Albert but I would be reticent to try that since a main ingredient is Mineral Oil and that is not recommended for Butyl Rubber.
Noted and thank you. And Keiko thanks everyone for their input. -
WoW! Lots of comments @0930hrs as I wake up reading this thread. And yeah, I thought about the use of alcohol on the surrounds and to be honest, I'm reluctant to go with that. I won't even use alcohol based cleaners on my records. Nothing personal xchop. I'm going to wait on John's recommendation since he's very knowledgeable in this area. If he gives the GO on this method then I'll reconsider.
Aloha
I'll let nutter off the hook, since he didn't answer, but gaslight.
In this application the 50\50 mix of 70% isopropyl alc. to wintergreen oil renders it the solute by standard chemistry definition. In layman's terms it just thins the oil. No chemical reaction/attack occurs during the 15-20 min drying process as the methyl salicylate infuses into the butyl rubber, softening it.
Stoichiometry is not part of the woke science today.
I've done this to quite a few MW's now and have only seen good results.
No need to answer your pointless question.
Good results...LOL. How many years has your slurry been on them?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 -
WoW! Lots of comments @0930hrs as I wake up reading this thread. And yeah, I thought about the use of alcohol on the surrounds and to be honest, I'm reluctant to go with that. I won't even use alcohol based cleaners on my records. Nothing personal xchop. I'm going to wait on John's recommendation since he's very knowledgeable in this area. If he gives the GO on this method then I'll reconsider.
Aloha
I'll let nutter off the hook, since he didn't answer, but gaslight.
In this application the 50\50 mix of 70% isopropyl alc. to wintergreen oil renders it the solute by standard chemistry definition. In layman's terms it just thins the oil. No chemical reaction/attack occurs during the 15-20 min drying process as the methyl salicylate infuses into the butyl rubber, softening it.
Stoichiometry is not part of the woke science today.
I've done this to quite a few MW's now and have only seen good results.
No need to answer your pointless question.
Good results...LOL. How many years has your slurry been on them?
Long enough to ameliorate the dry-rot.😉Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists. -
https://www.amazon.com/Artizen-Wintergreen-Essential-100-NATURAL/dp/B06Y2H5C3D/ref=mp_s_a_1_19_maf_2?crid=3DBJMBK413483&keywords=w intergreen+oil&qid=1692955953&sprefix=wintergreen+oil%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-19
Won't ship to Hawaii, bastages!
-
Jeff Bezos and Oprah will hand deliver once they've closed on all the firesales there.Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
-
WoW! Lots of comments @0930hrs as I wake up reading this thread. And yeah, I thought about the use of alcohol on the surrounds and to be honest, I'm reluctant to go with that. I won't even use alcohol based cleaners on my records. Nothing personal xchop. I'm going to wait on John's recommendation since he's very knowledgeable in this area. If he gives the GO on this method then I'll reconsider.
Aloha
I'll let nutter off the hook, since he didn't answer, but gaslight.
In this application the 50\50 mix of 70% isopropyl alc. to wintergreen oil renders it the solute by standard chemistry definition. In layman's terms it just thins the oil. No chemical reaction/attack occurs during the 15-20 min drying process as the methyl salicylate infuses into the butyl rubber, softening it.
Stoichiometry is not part of the woke science today.
I've done this to quite a few MW's now and have only seen good results.
No need to answer your pointless question.
Good results...LOL. How many years has your slurry been on them?
Long enough to ameliorate the dry-rot.😉
So, a few days then. Got ya.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
