White Speaker yellowing - Polk Atrium series.

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homeskkol
homeskkol Posts: 4
in Speakers
I have decided to buy a speaker set in the Atrium series, likely the 4 so it's not too large. My house trim is white so I was debating the white speakers. But I have almost always been burned by white products yellowing badly over the years. Has anyone any experience with the white speakers in the Atrium series? Anyone have them in the sun for 5+ years? I do not have a choice in installation spaces so they will be in the direct summer sun. To be safe I will go with black unless someone can set me straight! Thank you for your time!
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,295
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    Appliance epoxy paint will stop the fade.

    Wecome to Club Polk.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,702
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    Keep it out of sunlight

    I've had mine in the back porch for 4 years, looks good as I did the day I put them up
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • homeskkol
    homeskkol Posts: 4
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    Very interesting! I've never heard of appliance epoxy paint. Is it specifically to keep white from fading? I would keep them out of sunlight if I could. But the way my front deck / side of house is won't allow for that.
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,519
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    Maybe some covers when not in use
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 27,779
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    You could paint them black....
    ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,305
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    treitz3 wrote: ยป
    Appliance epoxy paint will stop the fade.

    Wecome to Club Polk.

    Tom

    That will turn yellow exposed to UV light.
    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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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,747
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    Just paint them safety yellow and relax.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,888
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    The manual recommends first putting a couple coats of Krylon spray primer on then a coat of exterior grade paint (UV resistant). Any color desired. They can be repainted. Could also apply a UV resistant clear coat to them if that's easier. Or just leave them up as is for a year and see how they do with the exposure level they have. Polk recommends placing them under eaves if possible.

    It also says taking the speakers down when not needed outdoors will help them last longer. Obviously!
    While they do have a five year cabinet warranty cosmetic issues are usually not covered. The black speakers are likely to fade to grey over time. How long that takes depends on the UV resistance of the original finish.

    https://www.polkaudio.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-polk_northamerica_shared/default/dw2f1b4678/downloads/atrium-series-owners-manual-en-es-fr.pdf
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  • Viking64
    Viking64 Posts: 7,771
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    Speaker yellowing?

    I blame Russ.
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  • homeskkol
    homeskkol Posts: 4
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    Thank you everyone for your comments. I do think I'll err on the side of safety and go black. Black fading to grey won't bother me too much VS the plastic on the speakers getting yellow while they are mounted to trim that is very white. I 100% would put them under cover if I had a covered patio. But that is not in the cards for awhile. Thanks everyone!
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  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,245
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    People pay big money to get that aged yellowing look on guitars. Just embrace it.
    Analog: Hana ML > VPI Prime Signature 21 > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
    Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
    Norma IPA-140 > Rosso Fiorentino Volterra
    Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
    Discogs
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,702
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    I would also look at the definitive aws for comparison depending on budget
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 35,524
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    @homeskkol, you might (or might not) find this interesting, vis-a-vis the "environmental yellowing" of white plastics.

    https://community.classicspeakerpages.net/topic/10385-advent-400-table-radio-de-yellowing/

    Since I am sitting about 10 feet from an old and decidedly yellowed Advent 400 radio module (sans companion speaker), I am empathetic. ;)
    50511076506_653eae3aa7_b.jpg

    As to black paint -- good luck! ;)
    From the Polk Audio Forum Hall of Fame:
    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/29186/where-to-buy-black-paint/p1
    B)
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