Cleaning mid/bass drivers
geoff727
Posts: 546
Does anyone have a really good method, or know a good substance to use to clean the 6.5 inch drivers? All of my drivers work fine, but it would be neat to give them a "brand new" look. Since they're so sticky to the touch, I think they've collected every piece of airborne cat hair in the house!
Thanks.
Thanks.
Polk SDA SRS 2
Polk RTA 15tl
Polk Monitor 7C
Polk Lsi9
Infinity RS-II (modded)
Infinity RS-IIIa (modded)
Infinity RS 2.5 x 2
Magnepan 1.6QR (modded)
System: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vevol&1290711373
Polk RTA 15tl
Polk Monitor 7C
Polk Lsi9
Infinity RS-II (modded)
Infinity RS-IIIa (modded)
Infinity RS 2.5 x 2
Magnepan 1.6QR (modded)
System: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vevol&1290711373
Post edited by geoff727 on
Comments
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How about Armor All?
Seriously thought, I'd be nervous using something with ammonia on my speakers. Wouldn't a damp lint free cloth suffice?"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
Windex works really well, although I'd recommend a soft, lint free cotton cloth in place of the paper towels, but that's just me.
Once you get them cleaned up and free of cat hair, put the grill covers on.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 -
I usually leave the grills off of all of my speakers...EXCEPT my polks with the sticky 6.5" drivers...those have grills on them from their born on date .
But over the years they have picked up that dust coating ...you guys that have used windex....how does it leave the driver when you are done cleaning ? Still sticky , or does it lose its tackiness ?The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club -
You guys are right, the Windex does work well. It takes more gunk off than just water; however, I am (admittedly) a little more comfortable with using water.
LASAREATH, I've looked at your album quite a few times since joining the forum yesterday! The wood you used on your SRS's is absolutely to die for. I'd like to do the end caps of my -1C's that I just picked up in a similar color. As I get more into the forum, and get to know the "rules of the road" a little better, I'm sure I will have many restoration questions for people.
Thanks guys.Polk SDA SRS 2
Polk RTA 15tl
Polk Monitor 7C
Polk Lsi9
Infinity RS-II (modded)
Infinity RS-IIIa (modded)
Infinity RS 2.5 x 2
Magnepan 1.6QR (modded)
System: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vevol&1290711373 -
I just cleaned 4 drivers, and they all retained the original sticky, tacky feel.Polk SDA SRS 2
Polk RTA 15tl
Polk Monitor 7C
Polk Lsi9
Infinity RS-II (modded)
Infinity RS-IIIa (modded)
Infinity RS 2.5 x 2
Magnepan 1.6QR (modded)
System: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vevol&1290711373 -
John, as stated by Geoff the drivers will remain sticky. Be sure to do the rubber surrounds too, you'll be amazed at the grunge that comes off as well as how nice they look when done. Always wipe in a circular motion and continue to gently wipe until almost all of the Windex has evaporated.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...cool....guess I am going to be cleaning me some drivers tomorrow....I just always thought that nice tacky feeling would be gone after a cleaning and never wanted to risk it. Thanks guysThe first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club
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Windex works really well, although I'd recommend a soft, lint free cotton cloth in place of the paper towels, but that's just me.
If you're going to buy new cleaning cloths, go with microfiber-type.
They work very well at removing dirt, grime, etc., often without any cleaning
solvents at all, and are also great for dusting wood cabinets. My .02So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?
http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/ -
hmmm microfiber on sticky tacky polk speaker cones with no cleaning solution? I Don't think it will do anything. Those Polk drivers just hold onto caked on dust, dirt, pet hairs and the surround suffer from oxidation.
Windex works 100% perfectly on them. I see so many people with butyl rubber surrounds that are brownish and dirty looking. All they need is some windex to make them nice and bright again.
I just recently bought (2) 1993 Polk Passive Radiators (PR's) that were never used, stored in their own original boxes and even though the rubber on the surrounds smelt like a brand new bicycle tire tube they still were discolored a bit.
I used Windex on them as soon as I mounted them and now they are perfect!
Sal
I was simply stating that they work well as all-purpose cleaners, and can be used without any cleaning solvents as a general rule; for cleaning speaker cones, go with Windex or another window cleaning agent, but I stick with my reco of microfiber. (pun intended )So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?
http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/ -
Lasareath, you have a PM.So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?
http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/ -
I have never cleaned mine. Didn't know I should. Would it be all right to use Glass Plus?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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I just picked up some windex wipes & all it took was one towel on both speakers to get them to look like yours. And 2 cats have been around them & everything! I think I found one cat hair on a driver!
The best way to keep your speakers clean...LEAVE THE GRILLS ON!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 -
Windex did it for me....
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=700594&postcount=33
2nd pic was the original "dirty" and third pic was the new "clean" -
Windex. Never would have guessed.
BTW, Nice wood Lasareath.Michael
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60° -
Good job Mark. Those are some nice looking speakers.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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Great thread!!!! Thanks to Sal for pointing me to this. Nights like this I really love this place. I took this crud off my 1C's tonight:Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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BaggedLancer wrote: »Windex did it for me....
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=700594&postcount=33
2nd pic was the original "dirty" and third pic was the new "clean"
Clean! -
If anyone ends up getting streaks on their black plastic surrounds... try Monster Cleaner or any other screen cleaner. It's milder than Windex, and worked really well at leaving a streak-free clean look on my M10s.
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I certainly do not want to lead anyone wrong with this and am not looking to start an argument. However, I would like to know for my own peace of mind.
Is the concern specific to Armor All on speakers or is it for all vinyl / rubber protectants in general? Has anyone damaged their speaker using AA or similar products?
The reason that I ask is that for many years (17 to be exact), before hearing otherwise, I had used vinyl/rubber protectant products (Vinylex or Meguiars as these are what I use on my cars) on the rubber surrounds and the black vinyl front of the cabinets about once per year. They look great to this day. After reading the warnings regarding AA (which I do NOT use AA on anything) I checked my MWs for any signs of degradation, cracking or disintegration. How long will will it be before they fall apart?
Over the years, also not knowing the warnings, I have used these products on the rubber surrounds of my car speakers (Polk, MB Quart, Volvo {Harman, DynAudio}). Before applying any protectant, some were showing signs of degradation from temperature extremes and sun exposure in that the rubber was hardening, chalking and micro-cracks. The protectant really softened the rubber and they continue to last for years. Some died but for other reasons (shifted magnets and over-driven voice coils). The others are still in use or are sitting in my basement waiting for an application.
Will the degradation from using these products occur sometime in my lifetime or is this another problem that my kids will have to worry about?Stan
Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.
HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60
Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601 -
As far as I know it's specific to Armor All.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 -
That is a load off my mind. I won't even use that stuff on my tires.
BTW, great signature.Stan
Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.
HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60
Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601 -
A legitimate question that perhaps needs some definative / lab (scientific) answers.
I've gone "green" and used a non-toxic glass cleaner (Method) with great results. I also have used very light applications of Simoniz Ultra Protectant (only on the butyl rubber surrounds) on rare intervals.
Cheers, LPN (Barrie) -
That is a load off my mind. I won't even use that stuff on my tires.
BTW, great signature.
Nah, me either.
Hehe....yeah it is, thanksPolitical 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