Guide: How to refinish your speakers

Right so it's about time I contribute some experimentation and findings I've made in the form of a guide.

So today's topic will be on how to refinish your veneer, whether it be to mask scratches, or to just simply refresh the look of your speakers. It's extremely easy to do any you probably don't need to buy anything except the wood stain used.

With that said, here is what you will need: Paper towel, Miniwax semi-transparent oil-based wood stain, a towel, a cleaning solution, and a microfiber cloth.

For my process, I used hardwood cleaner as it's made with natural ingredients, yet I was able to scrub very firmly without damaging my speakers. It did the job very well. You could use Windex, I'm aware this is the forum favorite, but I wouldn't recommend scrubbing with heavy amounts of it.

For my stain of choice I used Miniwax Ebony 2718. Put a towel down on your workspace; lie your bookshelves down on their back; stand your towers up straight.

Step-by-step process:

1. Use your cleaner to thoroughly clean the veneer on your speakers. Make sure you get every piece of dirt and grime off. Let it dry and make sure you don't leave any dust on it with a microfiber cloth.
2. Open your stain and lightly soak the tip of a thick ball of paper towel in it.
2a. For a general refresh, blot your stain evenly around on the veneer.
2b. If you're repairing scratches, target the heaviest scratches while maintaining fairly even blotting.
3. Use your soaked paper towel to spread the stain. Press down from one edge, and rub in with the grain. Do this until you complete the entire side. Leave to soak for about a minute.
4. Using a new piece of paper towel, further rub the stain in with the grain. This will get rid of excess stain. Repeat this process until the paper towel is coming out clean or nearly clean.
5. Leave to dry. For me it took 3 days, but it might take longer depending on the amount of stain used, the size of the speaker, the humidity, many things. You could do a week if you want to be extra safe. Usually you can feel the stain being a little bit sticky if it's not dry.

Voila! You're done.

Incase anyone is curious as to my stain choice, it's what I personally found to work best. Considering the Polk veneer for my RT series speakers was black, I found using Miniwax True Black 274 to not be what I wanted. Remember to be conservative with the amount of stain you apply. I chose Miniwax as a brand because they make the stain pens that I used which sparked this idea. Oil-based stains last longer too, you could use a water-based one but I don't know if the process would differ or how the results would be.

I spent a decent chunk of money doing this! I didn't take many photos, I think I have like one or two, it never really crossed my mind during the time and I was very focused on the staining. I might do my M5JR+ and other Polk speakers eventually. If I remember to take photos, then I certainly will.

Otherwise, the results are great. My CS1000p had some nasty scratches and I can't see them now. The veneer look so much more... hydrated? It's awesome.

If any of you try this, let me know how it goes. Cheers.