Reconditioning a set of RTA 15TL

clueless
clueless Posts: 15
edited August 2006 in Vintage Speakers
I have a set of RTA 15TL and would like to recondition them, but I want to do it right. I just order a set of replacement tweeters for a blown tweeter. The fabric on the grills needs to be replaced. In a few spots the wood is showing through the black paint. Any tips on replacing the fabric, where the fabric can be found and how to repaint it would be extremely appreciated.
Post edited by clueless on
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,729
    edited August 2006
    Grill cloth is available from any number of sources, Parts Express being one. I've never replaced the grill cloth, so no tips on that. The cabinets may be black lacquer vs paint. Call Polk and ask them what it is. Either way, it's best to spray the finish and not from spray cans. If you don't have spray equipment, have a refinishing shop do them. I restored a pair in walnut, but can't find a link to it anymore. Anyway, I replaced those tacky gloss black plastic tops with flat black plastic ones. It really made them look nice and no more worries about scratches.
    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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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited August 2006
    I just sold my 15TL's. The sides looked to be black painted wood with a flat finish. I defer to F1 in regards to restoring stuff :o;):)
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited August 2006
    The restoration job that F1Nut performed on his RTA15TL's was fantastic.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited August 2006
    F1nut wrote:
    I restored a pair in walnut, but can't find a link to it anymore.

    Here you go: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21551
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  • Polk65
    Polk65 Posts: 1,405
    edited August 2006
    I'm listening to 15tl's right now. Jesse, that is a mighty restoration and as said previously, fireplace photos are sweet. :D

    clueless, are these going to be on carpet or ?
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,341
    edited August 2006
    Wow! What a great restoration job that Jesse did on the 15's. I wonder who owns those now? Lucky person for sure!
    Carl

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,729
    edited August 2006
    Thanks for finding that, Mike.

    Carl, I sold them to a guy on Audiogon. I think he was in Michigan.
    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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  • riglehart
    riglehart Posts: 276
    edited August 2006
    Those cabinets look AWESOME on the 15s. Is that the original wood, or did they put a new veneer on them?
    Jolida Tube
    Polk 11T, 7, 5, 5jr, 4
    Standard equip not worth bragging about.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,729
    edited August 2006
    No, I didn't reveneer them, it's the original stuff that I repaired and restored.
    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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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited August 2006
    You did an awesome job Jesse! You are a very talented guy!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • clueless
    clueless Posts: 15
    edited August 2006
    They been sitting on carpet there whole life, I've had them since they where new. They are still in great shape but not perfect. Jesse did a fantastic job - gives me inspiration. I took some pictures of them when I was cleaning them, if anyone is interested in seeing them. I want to thank everyone for all the great tips.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,729
    edited August 2006
    Clueless, is this you???

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Polk-Audio-RTA-15TL_W0QQitemZ190022046100QQihZ009QQcategoryZ71571QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

    "I am the original owner of these speakers. The speakers are in perfect working order. The tweeters have recently been replaced. There are a couple of bare spots where the wood is showing through the black paint."
    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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  • clueless
    clueless Posts: 15
    edited August 2006
    F1nut wrote:
    Clueless, is this you???

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Polk-Audio-RTA-15TL_W0QQitemZ190022046100QQihZ009QQcategoryZ71571QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

    "I am the original owner of these speakers. The speakers are in perfect working order. The tweeters have recently been replaced. There are a couple of bare spots where the wood is showing through the black paint."

    I wish it wasn’t. Do to hard economic times I have no choice but to part with my prize possession.:( I just hope they go to a good home.
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