Polk MW Driver missing the tackiness

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bored184
bored184 Posts: 324
in Vintage Speakers
Is it possible to clean the tackiness off a Polk drivers? I recently got one from that one site and the tackiness is completely gone to the point where the cone is smooth. xfjccdaevne2.jpg
Speakers: TL Monitor 10s, RTA 11TLs, Fortes, Thiel CS 1.2
Amplifiers: ]Ashly FTX 2001 III, Dynaco ST-70, DIY F6
Pre: Adcom GFP 750, Aikido Tube Pre
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,624
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    Have you tried to clean it with original Windex?
    Is that a MW6511?

    I've seen a few so dirty they didn't appear to be coated. I'm not there and pictures can sometimes be hard to tell. Spray original windex on a lint free cloth and try to see if it is just very dirty.
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  • bored184
    bored184 Posts: 324
    edited January 2022
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    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    Have you tried to clean it with original Windex?
    Is that a MW6511?

    I've seen a few so dirty they didn't appear to be coated. I'm not there and pictures can sometimes be hard to tell. Spray original windex on a lint free cloth and try to see if it is just very dirty.

    That's what it currently looks like after already using the original windex and a lint free cloth. It's a MW6503

    The drivers appears to look filthy but not much is being transferred to the lint free cloth.
    Speakers: TL Monitor 10s, RTA 11TLs, Fortes, Thiel CS 1.2
    Amplifiers: ]Ashly FTX 2001 III, Dynaco ST-70, DIY F6
    Pre: Adcom GFP 750, Aikido Tube Pre
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,624
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    Riger that.
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,197
    edited January 2022
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    Seems like the lint and hair retention would tend to indicate that the doping hasn't been removed but has just lost it's stickiness with time. Now that stuff is basically glued on. I don't *think* that is a problem *if* the entire object of the doping is to optimize stiffness to weight ratio. If there is more to it and they were also shooting for a desired weight for tuning purposes, then *maybe* drying out of the cone might effect that negatively over time, however how do we know what the weight of the stuck on stuff is and if that is more, less, or equal to what was lost lol?

    Just thinking out loud.......
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Crown D150 amp
    Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
    iFi nano iDSD DAC
    iPurifier3
    iDefender w/ iPower PS
    Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
    iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
    Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
    Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 4,721
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    I've had a couple over the years like that. Most recent one, I tried rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and it cleaned right up. Took a couple times going in circular motion, making sure no excess alcohol stayed on dust cap glue perimeter.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,624
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    Rubbing or 91% Rob?
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  • SeleniumFalcon
    SeleniumFalcon Posts: 3,518
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    Then there's seasonal tackiness.

    w7k7t0bhjvm5.png
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 4,721
    edited January 2022
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    I played it safe. This had no deleterious effects on the substrate (I think it's natural latex from what I've researched on cone doping)....

    Only downside is Brandonomics has it at $1.25 at the Dollar Store.

    pfy4p4p9837v.jpg


    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,624
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    Thanks Rob.
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  • lawdogg
    lawdogg Posts: 450
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    Just don't use Acetone, which will dissolve the doping completely, which will then come off on
    your towel.
    <3 my 3.1TLs

    I will fix your shifted magnets for free. :)
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,124
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    lawdogg wrote: »
    Just don't use Acetone, which will dissolve the doping completely, which will then come off on
    your towel.

    It would appear that is already the case...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 4,721
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    If that's the case, look on the bright side. At least the ebayer didn't send you a Pyle driver.

    Maybe one of the speaker repair specialists actually has the correct doping compound?

    mcrvs42orv1v.jpg
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • bored184
    bored184 Posts: 324
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    I will try the isopropyl alcohol today.
    Speakers: TL Monitor 10s, RTA 11TLs, Fortes, Thiel CS 1.2
    Amplifiers: ]Ashly FTX 2001 III, Dynaco ST-70, DIY F6
    Pre: Adcom GFP 750, Aikido Tube Pre
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
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    I have used a hair dryer set on high, to rejuvenate the doping. I've had a few woofers that did not clean up well after several applications of Windex and a lint free cloth. Use a circular motion to heat the coating. If there's any left, you'll see it turn from dull to shinny. Do not overheat the cones. If done properly, the cones will become shinny and tacky again.
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 4,721
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    I would add that if your first cleaning pass with alc. doesn't produce any dirt or lint on your cloth or cotton ball, then the compound really is gone.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • bored184
    bored184 Posts: 324
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    westmassguy wrote: »
    I have used a hair dryer set on high, to rejuvenate the doping. I've had a few woofers that did not clean up well after several applications of Windex and a lint free cloth. Use a circular motion to heat the coating. If there's any left, you'll see it turn from dull to shinny. Do not overheat the cones. If done properly, the cones will become shinny and tacky again.

    How long should it take?
    Speakers: TL Monitor 10s, RTA 11TLs, Fortes, Thiel CS 1.2
    Amplifiers: ]Ashly FTX 2001 III, Dynaco ST-70, DIY F6
    Pre: Adcom GFP 750, Aikido Tube Pre
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,197
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    I'm an original owner and I will say that my fingers totally stuck to the MWs when they were new but not to the passives. I still wonder if the tackiness is a desirable thing or just a unavoidable thing or necessary evil if you will.
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Crown D150 amp
    Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
    iFi nano iDSD DAC
    iPurifier3
    iDefender w/ iPower PS
    Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
    iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
    Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
    Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,848
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    You should do a lot less wondering.
    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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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
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    bored184 wrote: »
    westmassguy wrote: »
    I have used a hair dryer set on high, to rejuvenate the doping. I've had a few woofers that did not clean up well after several applications of Windex and a lint free cloth. Use a circular motion to heat the coating. If there's any left, you'll see it turn from dull to shinny. Do not overheat the cones. If done properly, the cones will become shinny and tacky again.

    How long should it take?

    Less than five minutes as I recall. Be sure to keep the dryer moving. You don't want any hot spots
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,197
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    Oh contraire! Wondering is the first step towards learning. Where would humanity be without it? Err uhh scratch that argument since so much of what we have done is destructive.

    Let's just say, I for one would be very interested if Matthew Polk were to come onto this thread and explain the development of their cone doping process. I don't apologize to whoever this may offend.
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Crown D150 amp
    Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
    iFi nano iDSD DAC
    iPurifier3
    iDefender w/ iPower PS
    Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
    iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
    Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
    Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,848
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    Back on the list you go.
    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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  • Kryten
    Kryten Posts: 79
    edited January 2022
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    70% IPA normally has lanolin in it - 90+% doesn't. So as long as we're overthinking this, to avoid contaminating the sticky with an extra bit of stuff, add a splash of distilled H2O to 90% to get back down to 70% :D
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