Polk ES15 rubber discoloration

polgeo
polgeo Posts: 13
edited August 17 in Speakers
Can anyone with the same speakers (or similar) tell me if this discoloration on the rubber is normal? Speakers are 6 months old, not under direct sunlight and always with the grills on. I am not sure but I remember when I first unboxed them they were pure black.z267k0gm2obh.jpg
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3ycgp3p5b2uu.jpg

Comments

  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,942
    ~ 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. ~
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,655
    It's normal for butyl rubber to change color tone as time passes.
    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

  • polgeo
    polgeo Posts: 13
    F1nut wrote: »
    It's normal for butyl rubber to change color tone as time passes.

    OK, but is it normal for 6 months speakers out of the box?
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,655
    I can't tell you what is normal. I can tell you your surrounds look fine. Put the grills back on and enjoy the music.
    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

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,655
    These are 10 year old S20 drivers. The surrounds pretty much look like yours, so I suspect yours won't change much from what they are now.
    ekddxv5rg7ac.jpg
    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

  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 26,915
    Is there smoking in the house?
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,655
    Polk promo pic off the Net. Center cap is much blacker than the surround. In fact, looks just like yours.
    z5r9d7mmpy24.jpg
    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

  • polgeo
    polgeo Posts: 13
    Since I can't sleep i tried very gently wiping that brownish residue with some cotton, and boom, after 2 or three passes It became like new again. Definitely looks like rubber oxidation. ue5gwa5jklgu.jpg
    9kw6sgzsz62t.jpg
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,655
    Looks the same...lol
    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

  • polgeo
    polgeo Posts: 13
    F1nut wrote: »
    Looks the same...lol

    Not really, you can see the cotton, it removed most of the "stains".
  • voltshock
    voltshock Posts: 2
    polgeo wrote: »
    F1nut wrote: »
    Looks the same...lol

    Not really, you can see the cotton, it removed most of the "stains".

    did you use anything on the cotton like water or something?
  • voltshock
    voltshock Posts: 2
    idm8htwcdqqq.jpg

    I found this for sale, is this the same discoloration you mentioned? Is this still good?
    The color looks different from what I see on google.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,655
    That's just oxidation. Use regular Windex sprayed onto a soft cotton cloth, then gently wipe the surround in a circular motion.
    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

  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,903
    This is a funny thread... not the like a clown kind of funny.
    ;)
  • polgeo
    polgeo Posts: 13
    edited August 19
    voltshock wrote: »
    polgeo wrote: »
    F1nut wrote: »
    Looks the same...lol

    Not really, you can see the cotton, it removed most of the "stains".

    did you use anything on the cotton like water or something?

    Only water, and made 3-4 passes very gently
  • polgeo
    polgeo Posts: 13
    voltshock wrote: »
    idm8htwcdqqq.jpg

    I found this for sale, is this the same discoloration you mentioned? Is this still good?
    The color looks different from what I see on google.

    No, this looks white, I think is called blooming. The discoloration I mentioned is more likely "brownish". But as you can see the cotton removed it.
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 26,915
    F1nut wrote: »
    That's just oxidation. Use regular Windex sprayed onto a soft cotton cloth, then gently wipe the surround in a circular motion.

    This works really good^^^. It will take off the brown oxidation better than water alone. For future reference.