Cleaning Piano Black finishes

zx_toth
zx_toth Posts: 417
edited October 2007 in Speakers
Probably in the wrong section but here goes ...

What type of cloth do you guys use to clean those pretty piano black finishes on speakers/subwoofers?

I made the mistake last year of using something a bit too rough on my subwoofer with such a finish and it left scratches. Now I wish to clean the top/sides of my LSis and am concerned of using something to abrasive. I was looking at all my dish towels/bath room towels but think they are even tougher than I wish .... my bare butt may be fine with my bath towels but my speakers deserve better than my butt :-)

Thanks.

Zsolt
My Home Theater Rig
Post edited by zx_toth on
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,236
    edited October 2007
    Chamois cloth, brand new. Rough side toward speaker.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited October 2007
    zx_toth wrote: »
    Probably in the wrong section but here goes ...

    .... my bare butt may be fine with my bath towels but my speakers deserve better than my butt :-)

    Thanks.

    Zsolt



    wwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

    now that`s quote worthy !!

    I use the blue shop towels that you get at Kragen...very soft
    or a diaper...also from the auto parts store (for detailing cars/bikes)
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited October 2007
    If you have those hairline scratches from using inappropriate materials, can you take them out?
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited October 2007
    I would think that if one used Wizards scretch remover (made for show cars), it would do the trick....I`ll let someone with more experience in this take this one though...!!!
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • del44
    del44 Posts: 686
    edited October 2007
    beardog03 wrote: »
    I would think that if one used Wizards scretch remover (made for show cars), it would do the trick....I`ll let someone with more experience in this take this one though...!!!

    I recently posted a ? about this at another forum. The suggestions were to use auto polish.
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  • john22614
    john22614 Posts: 214
    edited October 2007
    I used auto polish and it works pretty well.
    B&W 804s mains
    B&W HTM4 center
    Polk PSW 1000 sub
    Outlaw 990 Pre Amp
    Anthem MCA 30 Amp
    Monitor Radius 180 surrounds
    Audiosource Stereo Amp for surrounds
    Denon 2910 Universal DVD/SACD Player
    Comcast DVR
    Pioneer Elite 42" Plasma 940 HD
    Harmony Universal Remote
    Blue Jeans interconnects and biwires
    Itunes Air Express
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  • zx_toth
    zx_toth Posts: 417
    edited October 2007
    Ill head to the auto shop tommorow and see what I can round up. Thanks for the suggestions ... if there is anymore knowledge out there please share. It seems like others are interested in this topic too.

    Interesting about the auto polish.

    Zsolt
    My Home Theater Rig
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited October 2007
    I spoke with polk customer service about the LSi finish. The old style (that I have) is laminate wrapped around the speaker. That is what creates the picture frame effect on the front and back. (click on the LSi7 link in my sig twords the end of the thread to see what I am talking about)

    The new style with the seamless finish is actually painted on with a process very similar to a car finish with a clear coat. (that is why auto wax works so well on them). Any repair that you undertake should take the auto-like finish into account.

    As far as cleaning - I just dry-dust with a microfiber towel. (for anything more than dry-dusting will take care of - I use plain water and make sure it is dry when done - both with the microfiber.)

    Thankfully I have not had to undergo any more intensive cleaning than that so far.

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,796
    edited October 2007
    Ive waxed a few higher gloss surfaces ---

    My old TV stand is one that I did...

    Used a high speed buffer and everything

    Will never forget it... set my TV back on there -- slightly pressed it with my TV and slid about an inch... hahha
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • bbeacham
    bbeacham Posts: 141
    edited October 2007
    Windex and a paper towel
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited October 2007
    80 grit sandpaper.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited October 2007
    I went with windex and paper towel as well.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • couch21
    couch21 Posts: 13
    edited October 2007
    Same cloth I use for my eyeglasses.
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  • couch21
    couch21 Posts: 13
    edited October 2007
    I meant a microfiber towel. That's what it's called.
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    couch21 wrote: »
    I meant a microfiber towel. That's what it's called.

    Ok. I can't take it. What will you be seling us?
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,236
    edited October 2007
    Oh nothing. Just microtowel fibers...........
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,779
    edited October 2007
    RuSsMaN wrote: »
    80 grit sandpaper.

    Too fine, 60 grit will remove it quicker. ;)
    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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  • Polkitup2
    Polkitup2 Posts: 1,623
    edited October 2007
    Microfiber towel works well for piano black. I would away from paper towels.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited October 2007
    wingnut4772 wrote: »
    Ok. I can't take it. What will you be selling us?

    Either that, or another visit from our friend from Tampa????
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited October 2007
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Either that, or another visit from our friend from Tampa????


    Hope hes not giving Tampa a bad name.


    P
    Life without music would♭
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,205
    edited October 2007
    I use a damp chamois cloth on most of this stuff. I don't like the thought of introducing cleansing chemicals or soap (such as Windex). Sometimes I use those Swiffer cloths too, and they seem to work fine, but I think I prefer a regular wipe with a chamois leather (as suggested by treitz3).
    Alea jacta est!
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited October 2007
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Chamois cloth, brand new. Rough side toward speaker.

    Exactly. i use a chamois on all my equipment, including my HDTV screen. Works perfect.

    Paper towels will scratch plastic display face plates...(yes, I realize we're talking about a speaker).
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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