RTi70 Speaker Refinishing

team_canada
team_canada Posts: 107
edited August 2005 in Speakers
My question is, since all Polk speakers are real wood veneer, can they be re-finished. My RTi70's have faded a bit as they were near a window. Can they be sanded and stained or painted??
POLKPIONEER SYSTEM

Receiver - Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi
Amp - Pioneer Elite M-10X
DVD Player - Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi
Front Speakers - polkaudio RTi70's
Center Channel - polkaudio CS400i
Sub - polkaudio PSW202
Surround Speakers - polkaudio R15's (7.1 System)
Speaker Cable - Unity Monster Link Biwire
(Fronts & Center)

TOTAL SPEAKER UPGRADE COMING SOON!!
Post edited by team_canada on
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Comments

  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,776
    edited July 2005
    Veneer is thin.

    Do you feel lucky?

    I wouldnt recomend it. Unless you plan on stripping the old veneer and putting a new one on...
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • team_canada
    team_canada Posts: 107
    edited July 2005
    I am talking a very light sanding so that the paint or stain will adhere better. Can they simply be painted with a very light coating?? I was think of spray paint, Krylon....
    POLKPIONEER SYSTEM

    Receiver - Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi
    Amp - Pioneer Elite M-10X
    DVD Player - Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi
    Front Speakers - polkaudio RTi70's
    Center Channel - polkaudio CS400i
    Sub - polkaudio PSW202
    Surround Speakers - polkaudio R15's (7.1 System)
    Speaker Cable - Unity Monster Link Biwire
    (Fronts & Center)

    TOTAL SPEAKER UPGRADE COMING SOON!!
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,776
    edited July 2005
    If you spray paint your speakers, I'm reporting you to Justin and pray you get banned.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • team_canada
    team_canada Posts: 107
    edited July 2005
    I know, I'm looking for an option, that being the last.
    POLKPIONEER SYSTEM

    Receiver - Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi
    Amp - Pioneer Elite M-10X
    DVD Player - Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi
    Front Speakers - polkaudio RTi70's
    Center Channel - polkaudio CS400i
    Sub - polkaudio PSW202
    Surround Speakers - polkaudio R15's (7.1 System)
    Speaker Cable - Unity Monster Link Biwire
    (Fronts & Center)

    TOTAL SPEAKER UPGRADE COMING SOON!!
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,734
    edited July 2005
    There are a few things that can be done to correct color faded surfaces. Sanding the clear coat to apply new stain or painting them are not among them. It's too complicated and you don't have the supplies or equipment to do it, so I'm not going to list a step by step.

    Talk to a professional refinishing shop, it might cost less than you think.
    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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  • team_canada
    team_canada Posts: 107
    edited July 2005
    Thanks, I will check into that option. I would definately like a professional opinion. If something can be done, again, I would prefer to use a professional. Thanks again F1nut...
    POLKPIONEER SYSTEM

    Receiver - Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi
    Amp - Pioneer Elite M-10X
    DVD Player - Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi
    Front Speakers - polkaudio RTi70's
    Center Channel - polkaudio CS400i
    Sub - polkaudio PSW202
    Surround Speakers - polkaudio R15's (7.1 System)
    Speaker Cable - Unity Monster Link Biwire
    (Fronts & Center)

    TOTAL SPEAKER UPGRADE COMING SOON!!
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited July 2005
    What stain is on them. I refinished a pair of RTi35 with the black stain/paint. It can be done if you have some experience.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • team_canada
    team_canada Posts: 107
    edited July 2005
    Hey markmarc, they have the black stain... Any ideas???
    POLKPIONEER SYSTEM

    Receiver - Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi
    Amp - Pioneer Elite M-10X
    DVD Player - Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi
    Front Speakers - polkaudio RTi70's
    Center Channel - polkaudio CS400i
    Sub - polkaudio PSW202
    Surround Speakers - polkaudio R15's (7.1 System)
    Speaker Cable - Unity Monster Link Biwire
    (Fronts & Center)

    TOTAL SPEAKER UPGRADE COMING SOON!!
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited July 2005
    My RTi35's had the black paint/stain (much more paint than stain). I used a local brand specific to Oregon. I suggest you go to your local independent paint store. They should be able to assist you. Avoid the big boxes, not enough choices surprisingly. A half pint should be plenty.
    I picked a satin finish black paint. Then I added two coats of a clear satin finish. You may want to try a semi gloss depending on sheen level. This is important, get a high quality paint brush. for practice try to get ahold of a scrap piece of ok plywood to practice. Apply in light long strokes with the grain. Make sure to cover with plastic bag and tape tightly. Or remove the drivers altogether as fumes don't play nice with the driver material.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • team_canada
    team_canada Posts: 107
    edited July 2005
    O.K., thanks, I will look into this option, much appreciated.
    POLKPIONEER SYSTEM

    Receiver - Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi
    Amp - Pioneer Elite M-10X
    DVD Player - Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi
    Front Speakers - polkaudio RTi70's
    Center Channel - polkaudio CS400i
    Sub - polkaudio PSW202
    Surround Speakers - polkaudio R15's (7.1 System)
    Speaker Cable - Unity Monster Link Biwire
    (Fronts & Center)

    TOTAL SPEAKER UPGRADE COMING SOON!!
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,734
    edited July 2005
    OK, hold up here a sec. That's not a paint on those speakers. What is usually done is to color the wood with a black dye or stain, then spray lacquer with black dye added to the mix. This results in a overall even color with a bit of depth to it. Brushing on a finish never results in the look you get from spraying a finish, but in either case you must finish the finish by it rubbing out otherwise it looks cheap.

    Go to a shop, ask them what they would charge to apply a black glaze and a few clear coats. That should even out the good and faded color.
    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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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited July 2005
    F1nut:
    I'm just telling how I was able to solve the finish problem. I did recommend that he visit an independent paint dealer. Afterall, various Polk speakers have different black finishes. A spray finish is better, but ONLY if the right technique is applied. A brush is far more forgiving.

    Personally, I'd love to smack the idiots who decided that putting black paint/stain on oak is wonderful. They could have used an asian swamp wood with a similar grain and gotten the same result. I consider it a crime to cover up such a beautiful wood so that its natural quality is covered.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • louthewiz
    louthewiz Posts: 581
    edited August 2005
    Orange glow makes a refinishing clear coat that you just apply and wipe , you can get it at home centers like loews and home-depot and it works really good.
    My gear,
    Acer PH530 720P PJ
    100 inch Da-Lite Video Spectra screen
    Yamaha HTR 5790
    Toshiba HD-A3
    Denon 1600 dvd player with sdi out,
    DVDO iSCAN HD+
    Panasonic Dmr E-80H
    Dishnetwork HD pvr
    1 Audiosource amp300 150 wpc Fronts
    1 Audiosource ampone bridged 200 watts powering center
    1 Onkyo M-282 105 wpc amplifier sides
    polk cs400 center
    polk RT400 mains
    Polk mkII back surrounds,
    Polk FX300fxi dipole surrounds
    Velodyne DPS-10 sub
    Klipsch KSW-10 sub.:cool:
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,734
    edited August 2005
    markmarc wrote:
    A spray finish is better, but ONLY if the right technique is applied. A brush is far more forgiving.

    Personally, I'd love to smack the idiots who decided that putting black paint/stain on oak is wonderful. They could have used an asian swamp wood with a similar grain and gotten the same result. I consider it a crime to cover up such a beautiful wood so that its natural quality is covered.

    You brush, I'll spray. :)

    We'll have to disagree about oak as I think it's the ugliest wood I've ever seen.

    Warning: Do Not use products like Orange Glow, real crapola.
    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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