Seeking Restoration/Clean-up Advice...

rallison

I am the original owner of a pair of Polk Monitor Series Model 10A speakers, and while they're in darn good condition for their age (bought 1982) and sound as good as new to me, they do have some minor appearance issues. Finding this forum has inspired me to try to bring them back up to snuff. I'd like to get other Polk enthusiast's guidance on how to fix up a few items:

1. The infamous "Furniture Grade" walnut vinyl veneer is a bit grimy. In your experience, the best cleaner for it would be...?

2. The vinyl veneer on one of them is also peeling a bit at the very bottom edge of one side. The best way to re-glue would be...?

3. The 'tacky' surfaces of the drivers & PR, plus the silk dome of the Peerless tweeter, all have some light dust and/or some pet hair on them. The best way to get dust and hair off of them without damage would be...?

4. The rubber surrounds for the drivers and PR are fine--no cracking or crazing--but should I be treating them with anything to keep them flexing for another 27 years?

5. Finally, the grille cloth has 'pilled' near the edges from legs and pets rubbing against them. Can I get rid of the pilling without replacing the cloth & if so, how? OR, if it's easier just to replace, is the same cloth still sold somewhere?

Your experience and ideas are welcome--thanks in advance!

kawizx9r

Welcome to Club Polk!

Answer to #3. Windex Just don't use it on the tweeters!

mhardy6647

One could consider stripping off the charming vinyl and resurfacing with real veneer...
I'm just sayin'...

1. Windex does work well.
2. I'd say white glue; tape or clamp while it dries (longer is better).
3. if it ain't broke...
4. no care needed AFAIK
5. Yes replacement grille cloth that is similar is available. check www.partsexpress.com
It is also said that JoAnn Fabrics has a black polyester material that is suitable for use as grille cloth (and probably cheaper than The Real Thing). Funny, the pulls on my grilles are from cats scratching not just rubbing :-|

rallison

kawizx9r wrote: »

Welcome to Club Polk!

Answer to #3. Windex Just don't use it on the tweeters!

Thanks--happy to be here! This place is awe inspiring for an old Polk owner like me.

rallison

mhardy6647 wrote: »

One could consider stripping off the charming vinyl and resurfacing with real veneer...
I'm just sayin'...

1. Windex does work well.
2. I'd say white glue; tape or clamp while it dries (longer is better).
3. if it ain't broke...
4. no care needed AFAIK
5. Yes replacement grille cloth that is similar is available. check www.partsexpress.com
It is also said that JoAnn Fabrics has a black polyester material that is suitable for use as grille cloth (and probably cheaper than The Real Thing). Funny, the pulls on my grilles are from cats scratching not just rubbing :-|

Perfect! I really appreciate the thorough and prompt reply. I'll only note that if I had ever seen the cat scratching the grilles, it never would have lived to be 17.

Anyone tried using one of those electric 'sweater shavers' on worn grilles? Or would it just tear it up even more?

ben62670

Welcome to Club Polk. As for the sweater shavers I would only try it planning on replacing them.
Ben

rabrew1953

I've been using Old English on my 10b's for years and after 23 years people can't believe they still look new. Pledge also works well on the cabinets. I used Marine Goop to glue the peel backs.

rallison

rabrew1953 wrote: »

I've been using Old English on my 10b's for years and after 23 years people can't believe they still look new. Pledge also works well on the cabinets. I used Marine Goop to glue the peel backs.

Thanks - Are you using the Old English/Pledge on wood or vinyl veneer?

zarrdoss

A sweater shaver does not work but a regular shaver for sideburns and stuff does great.

rallison

ben62670 wrote: »

Welcome to Club Polk. As for the sweater shavers I would only try it planning on replacing them.
Ben

Thanks for the kind reception--yeah, I figured I might try it only if prepared to replace. I'd have to look at possible replacement fabric first, because I'd want it to look as original as possible. Now that I'm retro, I like the full retro look...

rallison

zarrdoss wrote: »

A sweater shaver does not work but a regular shaver for sideburns and stuff does great.

Really? 'Cause I do have a trimmer... I might just try that if you've had luck with it.

F1nut

1. Windex
2. White glue, 5 minute epoxy, etc.
3. Windex applied to a clean cotton cloth (do not spray it on the drivers) and wipe in a circular motion.
4. While you're cleaning the cones, the Windex will do a very nice job of cleaning the surrounds. Do not apply anything else to them.
5. A straight edge razor kind of works. Be very careful.

I strongly recommend that you do not apply Old Engish or Pledge...nasty stuff.

rallison

F1nut wrote: »

1. Windex
2. White glue, 5 minute epoxy, etc.
3. Windex applied to a clean cotton cloth (do not spray it on the drivers) and wipe in a circular motion.
4. While you're cleaning the cones, the Windex will do a very nice job of cleaning the surrounds. Do not apply anything else to them.
5. A straight edge razor kind of works. Be very careful.

I strongly recommend that you do not apply Old Engish or Pledge...nasty stuff.

Most excellent. Except for the razor; I'm a bleeder. But seriously, thanks.

ben62670

F1nut is our resident wood guru;)
Where are you located?
Ben

rallison

ben62670 wrote: »

F1nut is our resident wood guru;)
Where are you located?
Ben

I'm in Western PA, a bit North of Pittsburgh. Why, is there a party?

ben62670

Not yet:) It is good to have your general location showing. There are many a hospitable Polkie here. I have made many friends for life:)
Take care.
Ben

rallison

ben62670 wrote: »

Not yet:) It is good to have your general location showing. There are many a hospitable Polkie here. I have made many friends for life:)
Take care.
Ben

Fair enough...

rallison

Thanks kawizx9r, mhardy6647, ben62670, rabrew1953, zarrdoss, and F1nut! The Windex did a pretty good job on the cabinets, cones, and surrounds; and I used a trimmer to get rid of the big 'pills'. All that's left to do is glue down the loose veneer at the bottom, and they'll be in great shape. I really appreciate all your help.

I spent a couple hours just dipping in an out of my music collection and just really appreciating the M10's great sound. Time to build some stands, I guess, so the veneer doesn't end up getting peeled away again.

Once again, thanks!

gdb

Now ALL you need to do is........upgrade the crossovers, JB Weld the magnets on the 6.5" drivers, replace the silver dome tweeters with RDOs...and you're good to go !!:D

BB3

Welcome to the Forum, rallison. I'm glad to hear everything turned out good on your speaker cleanup.

Not sure how far away you are from the "North Hills" but you should stop by VintageHiFi down on Babcock Blvd. sometime for some great music listening and a few cold brews.

A few of us "Pittsburgh Audio" guys and gals will collaborate there on Saturday nights just to chill and hang out.

You can also check out the stores website for reference. : www.vintagehifipgh.com

Take care rallison, welcome again to the Forum, and please let me know if you have any questions.

---

Bill(BB3)

rallison

BB3 wrote: »

Welcome to the Forum, rallison. I'm glad to hear everything turned out good on your speaker cleanup.

Not sure how far away you are from the "North Hills" but you should stop by VintageHiFi down on Babcock Blvd. sometime for some great music listening and a few cold brews.

A few of us "Pittsburgh Audio" guys and gals will collaborate there on Saturday nights just to chill and hang out.

You can also check out the stores website for reference. : www.vintagehifipgh.com

Take care rallison, welcome again to the Forum, and please let me know if you have any questions.

---

Bill(BB3)

Bill/BB3,

Oh, no you don't -- lure me in with beers and then tantalize me with those sweet glowing vintage beasts I cannot possibly afford... aaauuuugggghhhh!

Actually I may just take you up on it, and thanks for the kind welcome.

Regards,

--Rick

BB3

hehehehe. That was funny Rick. It's just good to know people like the owner Tom(beemers417).
He has become a good friend and an absolute genius when, or if something would ever need repaired. And yes, you are right, he does have product there for people to buy of course, but my request to you is/was purely for just us Pittsburgh area audio guys and gals to just get together and hang out. We are it seems, us audio guys a rare bunch anymore in todays times Rick.

Tom is actually having people over on this Saturday. My wife and I however will not be able to make it due a prior engagement with another friend who is celebrating their 40th. birthday, so I'll just keep you posted as to when I'll be there next Rick. That being said, don't be afraid to go without me being there(not that you would be--haha) because there are always people just hanging out, looking to buy things, or simply there just drink good beer, or smoke a good cigar.

I promise that you will like what you see and most importantly....you will have a good time Rick.

Take Care And Have A Great Weekend Rick.----Sincerely, Bill

rallison

rallison wrote: »

...

Time to build some stands, I guess, so the veneer doesn't end up getting peeled away again.
...

I already had some scrap materials left over from a previous project, so I decided to go ahead and build the original version 7/10 stands based on plans from another thread on this forum. Bought some contact paper for the base and pedestal, some t-nuts for the carpet spike mounting points, some rubber feet for hard floors, and then went at it with the circular saw. Here are a couple of pics. I'm pretty happy with the result. Of course, now I have to upgrade the rest of my system...

seeclear

So, that second picture is your finished product? Nice.

rallison

seeclear wrote: »

So, that second picture is your finished product? Nice.

Yep. And in the third one. Thanks!

chriscrawford

I am interested in veneering my old Monitor 10s with real wood veneer and making some stands as well. The cabinet vinyl is just too far gone to repair, anyway I like the idea of having real wood veneer. I also intend to do the same to my Bose 501 II's. Anyone tried this?

chriscrawford

mhardy6647 wrote: »

One could consider stripping off the charming vinyl and resurfacing with real veneer...
I'm just sayin'...

1. Windex does work well.
2. I'd say white glue; tape or clamp while it dries (longer is better).
3. if it ain't broke...
4. no care needed AFAIK
5. Yes replacement grille cloth that is similar is available. check www.partsexpress.com
It is also said that JoAnn Fabrics has a black polyester material that is suitable for use as grille cloth (and probably cheaper than The Real Thing). Funny, the pulls on my grilles are from cats scratching not just rubbing :-|

Have you tried this? I'm very interested in doing just that.

rallison

chriscrawford wrote: »

I am interested in veneering my old Monitor 10s with real wood veneer and making some stands as well. The cabinet vinyl is just too far gone to repair, anyway I like the idea of having real wood veneer. I also intend to do the same to my Bose 501 II's. Anyone tried this?

My veneer was reasonable, so I didn't touch that. I did use iron-on veneer on the pedestals of the stands I built, and it works great. I think there are threads elsewhere on the forum where folks have veneered the cabinets...

rallison

chriscrawford wrote: »

Have you tried this? I'm very interested in doing just that.

Windex works very well, and I followed that up with Armor All on the vinyl to restore a bit of shine; once I put 'em up on stands the peeling vinyl stuck back on its own, no glue needed; after cleaning I left the cones and surrounds untreated; I decided not to replace the grill cloth after trimming the 'pills' with an electric razor.

Hope this helps... and good luck!

F1nut

Never, ever use Armor All on anything......really nasty stuff that actually attracts dust, dirt and grime, but worse than that it degrades/breaks down polymers.