RTi10 DIY Paint Mod

RedLetterDay
RedLetterDay Posts: 7
edited January 2009 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Recently I was bored and decided that I didn't particularly like the silver trim on the front of my RTi speakers along with the black wood frame, so I decided to try and make it the trim black also. I didn't really have too much experience painting but I thought I'd give it a shot and see what happened.

Basically I just removed all of the speakers & cones, cut some cardboard inserts that were the same size to lay over the holes (to prevent any paint from getting inside the actual cabinet), primed the whole thing and then spray painted over it using a flat black enamel. I wasn't able to paint the tweeter because it looked like it was glued/soldered very heavily to the frame and I didn't want to risk breaking it. One of the speakers is still drying but here are some pictures of the one that is finished.

11.png

12.png

Excuse the color of the screws, I tried using a chemical that was supposed to turn the silver screws to a dark blue color, and it worked -- but shortly afterwards I noticed that they had mostly rusted. Still need to make a trip to the store to pick up some new ones.

Anyways, I'm pretty happy with the result. I definitely like the color better than the silver. There are a couple of areas that maybe should be sanded down and repainted but I was impatient like always and wanted to see how everything looked put together.
Post edited by RedLetterDay on
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Comments

  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2009
    Those look pretty good front the pictures. And I agree that those silver fronts can be distracting. Good work and welcome.
    Jake
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  • mewisemagic
    mewisemagic Posts: 194
    edited January 2009
    looks good to me, i like the tube amps better :)
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2009
    Looks good, too bad you couldn't dissasmble the tweeter also though.

    Nice amp!
    "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
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited January 2009
    I like it. Sexy looking with the black and gray color of the drivers.
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  • RedLetterDay
    RedLetterDay Posts: 7
    edited January 2009
    Yeah, the tweeter is incredibly easy to remove from the cabinet though so if I get really annoyed I might try to take it apart some day to paint. I always leave the grilles on though so it really doesn't bother me too much right now.

    Thanks regarding the amp(s), hah.
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  • sdcfan18
    sdcfan18 Posts: 95
    edited January 2009
    I really like the look of these. Once the weather clears up a little and I can take them outside, I might try this myself. One thought though...wouldn't painted the tweeter change the sound? I would think that putting paint on it would distort the sound somehow...
    HT RIG

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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2009
    Looks great!! Always wondered why POLK didn't make them all black. Even the new RTI A series has the front black (wood) but the trim is silver. Wish I had extra pieces to try it out.


    Now try the McIntosh:D
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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited January 2009
    I always felt the RTis with the silver front looked cheap IMO. These look PHENOMENAL, and truth be told I dig the rusty screws. Only thing out of place is the tweeter.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2009
    Gaara wrote: »
    I always felt the RTis with the silver front looked cheap IMO.


    Same here. Thats why I keep my grills on.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2009
    Do not paint the entire tweeter. If possible, see if you can remove the face plate and leave the diaphragm unpainted.
    "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
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2009
    Face wrote: »
    Do not paint the entire tweeter. If possible, see if you can remove the face plate and leave the diaphragm unpainted.

    What about just taping the tweeter? I think that tweeter is glued.


    Edit. Just pulled the tweeter out and they use the same black glue as they did on the sda crs crossovers
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  • RedLetterDay
    RedLetterDay Posts: 7
    edited January 2009
    Face wrote: »
    Do not paint the entire tweeter. If possible, see if you can remove the face plate and leave the diaphragm unpainted.

    Right, it's 2 separate pieces but the problem I had is that the actual tweeter itself has a huge amount of glue or some adhesive holding it attached to the frame. I thought about trying to get it out with a razor blade but didn't really want to risk it. I'll figure something out. :cool:
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2009
    The diaphragm may be glued to the faceplate. I wouldn't try to pull the face off unless someone can verify for sure the plate will come off without pulling the diaphragm. I would mask it off, and touch it up with a brush.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,040
    edited January 2009
    Not bad at all. I would not paint the actual tweeter either. But the silver around yes. Can't you just curl a piece of paper the size of the dome and carefully paint while holding down the paper over the dome?
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2009
    Willow wrote: »
    Not bad at all. I would not paint the actual tweeter either. But the silver around yes. Can't you just curl a piece of paper the size of the dome and carefully paint while holding down the paper over the dome?

    The key word here would be carefully... :D
    Jake
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited January 2009
    Nice Job!! They look way better now IMO!!



    Welcome to Club Polk also!




    Nick
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  • Montoya
    Montoya Posts: 506
    edited January 2009
    I was thinking of doing this with piano black high gloss laquer now that you have done it I am more confident I have a really nice airbrush that could do the job.
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,040
    edited January 2009
    I thought about doing this as well and I'm too lazy plus I leave the grills on all the time.
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