Speaker gasket tape

westmassguy

jon s wrote: »

What about using high density weather stripping? Would that work? Tightening the bolts should compress and seal the speakers, no?

Frost King males a light grey, closed cell gasket that's 3/8" x1/4" and is highly compressible. I wouldn't advise using the high density type, you want it to compress down to almost paper thin.. I've used it in a pinch to finish a project, but not on the Polks. The Parts Express Gasket material is ok, just make sure you pre-punch all the screw holes, really, really well, otherwise it has a tendency to wrap itself around the screw threads.

HolkusPolkus1

westmassguy wrote: »

Frost King males a light grey, closed cell gasket that's 3/8" x1/4" and is highly compressible. I wouldn't advise using the high density type, you want it to compress down to almost paper thin.. I've used it in a pinch to finish a project, but not on the Polks. The Parts Express Gasket material is ok, just make sure you pre-punch all the screw holes, really, really well, otherwise it has a tendency to wrap itself around the screw threads.

I am interested to hear your comments in the following two situations:
1) I was sort of lazy and reused the plastic housing that came with my 1997 Honda Accord LX Wagon from the factory. The problem is that the db650 speaker is larger than 6 5/16" inches in diameter so one cannot just stuff it down the hole - I made a 3/16" thick spacer (I shouldn't call it a gasket since it doesn't really seal like a gasket, it only weakly seals) from Home Depot HB fiberboard because I thought it would be reasonably inconsequential on the sound coupling and so forth. The problem is I cannot use a compressible gasket there because the speaker doesn't sink in any - understand?

2) Now suppose I had pitched the plastic housing - then I would use YOUR method wouldn't I? In other words, I want something soft, is that correct? Or I could use YOUR method (the soft
gasket in ADDITION to my method, would you think that's ok or at least acceptable?)

By the way, like a dummy, I used the soft yellow gasket "template" from Polk - I actually forgot to use their template to make others - foolish mistake but at least I have another and I can use the one from the other box of 2 speakers I bought and simply use it as a template to make whatever I want. In fact, I'm going to get a nice piece of cardboard right now just to protect the nice shape of the gasket.

But perhaps you see my plight - I am trying to cram a vintage db650 into a hole that's only big enough for the more modern db651.

Honestly, I don't know what the best way is so I'll appreciate any comments.

westmassguy

HolkusPolkus1 wrote: »

I am interested to hear your comments in the following two situations:
1) I was sort of lazy and reused the plastic housing that came with my 1997 Honda Accord LX Wagon from the factory. The problem is that the db650 speaker is larger than 6 5/16" inches in diameter so one cannot just stuff it down the hole - I made a 3/16" thick spacer (I shouldn't call it a gasket since it doesn't really seal like a gasket, it only weakly seals) from Home Depot HB fiberboard because I thought it would be reasonably inconsequential on the sound coupling and so forth. The problem is I cannot use a compressible gasket there because the speaker doesn't sink in any - understand?

2) Now suppose I had pitched the plastic housing - then I would use YOUR method wouldn't I? In other words, I want something soft, is that correct? Or I could use YOUR method (the soft
gasket in ADDITION to my method, would you think that's ok or at least acceptable?)

By the way, like a dummy, I used the soft yellow gasket "template" from Polk - I actually forgot to use their template to make others - foolish mistake but at least I have another and I can use the one from the other box of 2 speakers I bought and simply use it as a template to make whatever I want. In fact, I'm going to get a nice piece of cardboard right now just to protect the nice shape of the gasket.

But perhaps you see my plight - I am trying to cram a vintage db650 into a hole that's only big enough for the more modern db651.

Honestly, I don't know what the best way is so I'll appreciate any comments.

HolkusPolkus1 I feel your pain, but I believe this should be posted in the Polk Automotive Section. I have no clue what Home Depot HB fiberboard is, unless it goes by another name. I'd also be leery of using any fiber board in a damp or wet location such as a car door. All my comments were based on Polk Indoor Speakers. I haven't done any car audio work in decades.

HolkusPolkus1

westmassguy wrote: »

HolkusPolkus1 I feel your pain, but I believe this should be posted in the Polk Automotive Section. I have no clue what Home Depot HB fiberboard is, unless it goes by another name. I'd also be leery of using any fiber board in a damp or wet location such as a car door. All my comments were based on Polk Indoor Speakers. I haven't done any car audio work in decades.

Thanks for your comments and I hadn't realized that I was in the wrong forum - :biggrin:

HolkusPolkus1

I'll try to make this my last post on this in this forum since it's the wrong one, but to answer how I will deal with the moisture issue that could arise from being outside in a car in the weather, I will use polyurethane. As I stated in another forum, I can tell about how long the polyurethane should last assuming it bonds well and so forth. If I spray a few quick coats on the gaskets, I would think it would prolong the life of the gasket considerably - for many years at least. The same technique is sometimes used for pool speakers even on the cones themselves. I am not a huge fan of non-organic solutions but it's not a terribly non-decomposable substance as it DOES tend to wear off. Mostly the wear comes from use though - and this will be shielded by the plastic housing. So it may just last a real long time and make the gasket a whole let better! It will breathe and repel moisture which is a nice combination.

HolkusPolkus1

HolkusPolkus1 wrote: »

I'll try to make this my last post on this in this forum since it's the wrong one, but to answer how I will deal with the moisture issue that could arise from being outside in a car in the weather, I will use polyurethane. As I stated in another forum, I can tell about how long the polyurethane should last assuming it bonds well and so forth. If I spray a few quick coats on the gaskets, I would think it would prolong the life of the gasket considerably - for many years at least. The same technique is sometimes used for pool speakers even on the cones themselves. I am not a huge fan of non-organic solutions but it's not a terribly non-decomposable substance as it DOES tend to wear off. Mostly the wear comes from use though - and this will be shielded by the plastic housing. So it may just last a real long time and make the gasket a whole let better! It will breathe and repel moisture which is a nice combination.

Feel free to see this discussion in another forum:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=618247

Enjoy the sounds!