Yura Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 Hey all, Friend got an old pair of heritage speakers in raw birch. As i understand they came "raw" (no stain, no lacquer, no wax/oil) form the factory. But they are clearly coated with lacquer/clear coat. The cabinets are not in a bad shape, but they do have a few scratches here and there typical for speakers that are more than 30 years old. So my question is - is it better to: 1- maintain the original condition even with light scratches in the finish/wood 2 - refinish them with the same stain/lacquer 3 - refinish in exotic stain And by "better" i mean for them not to loose value since all the parts are original and they are single owner pair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budman Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 no question in my mind. # 1 birch raw turns a beautiful yellow after 30 years. sanding them makes them turn white. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odysseyrevolver Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 I recently applied a cherry stain to my raw Academy and absolutely love the results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yura Posted May 26, 2010 Author Share Posted May 26, 2010 Was Raw birch actually completely unreated birth face plywood? Or did it have clear coat of some sort, poly, oil, etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groomlakearea51 Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 BR was raw.... nothing. However, the factory apparenly would apply a clear coat of lacquer as a customer ordered option. That usually was noted by an "L", sometimes in parentheses on the sticker tag on the back. I've a pair of LS-BR's that have that "option", and have seen it on Klipschorns and a pair of Cornwalls over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4tay Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 I recently applied a cherry stain to my raw Academy and absolutely love the results. I have seen some Klipsch redone in (red) cherry, and I have decided to do that to my oak quartets. Somne transparent red to let the grain come through will be a lot more appealing to me than a yellowish or dark walnut finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blvdre Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 It really comes down to personal preference. I don't think you'll hurt the re-sale value by choosing any of the options you've listed. I'm with 4tay as far as color pallette - I like red tones in my brown. What tone would fit best with your current decor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yura Posted May 28, 2010 Author Share Posted May 28, 2010 As far decore - there is nothing i can match them with. We are in the process of remodeling our home, so walls/floor/furniture are likely to change in color and texture. At this point I'm seriously considering either leaving raw birch and giving it a few layers of clear Poly or trying to give it brown with a hint of red (peacan/walnut) type of coat. The cabinets are fully clean form the old poly/clear coat and are pretty white right now. But having just 2 choices instead of 3-4 is just as tough for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 If you decide to give them a coat with a tint, you will frist need to gove another clear coat to make sure all the wood is sealed. otherwise, the scratchesthat are through to the wood will show up darker. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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