fuzzydog Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I picked up a pair of RS-35 surrounds on the local craigslist which have the typical (so I understand) pealing/shrinking of the vinyl cover on the tops and bottoms. The speakers are otherwise in excellent condition...fully operational, no damage to the drivers, grills are perfect, and no dents/dings in the MDF. I was able to easily peal off the vinyl covers in one big sheet. It was ridiculously easy to get them off...seriously, who spec'd this crap. The exposed MDF surface is smooth. Should I just apply some black latex gloss paint with a roller and call it a day, or is there a better way to put a finish back on them? I would love to give them a cherry veneer to match my RF-7II's and RC-64II, but I imagine that the rounded edge would cause problems. Thanks for your help and suggestions. Pics below... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TasDom Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Just get some Duratex https://www.parts-express.com/acry-tech-duratex-roller-grade-speaker-cabinet-texture-coating-black-with-textured-3-rolle--260-100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzydog Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share Posted December 31, 2014 Thanks Tas! I'm kinda liking the Leather Look application method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Duratex will appear slightly shiny and rough if you don't mind that combo. I've had good luck with applying Duratex with the supplied roller , then going over it with a short napped roller while it's still good and wet. It knocks the roughness down and keeps the protection of the material. For surrounds like those however I'd just use black semi-gloss and a rough nap roller. Duratex is a good "rough use" finish but overkill for surrounds IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I would love to give them a cherry veneer to match my RF-7II's and RC-64II, but I imagine that the rounded edge would cause problems. I don't know about problems but just more difficult. You could plane or sand the edges flat and them apply wood veneer. Or just give the exposed mdf a "matching" cherry stain and then clear polycoat. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzydog Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share Posted December 31, 2014 Is it possible to replace the MDF top with solid wood if I wanted a wood finish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 you can do the mdf over,and also use the Duratex and water it down very slightly to remove the rough look to them. I redid a pair of S-3's with the information given to me from here and they came out very nice. Redoing the MDF is time consuming,but if you have it,it should be fine and from what I read will only help the acoustics. I also read on here of 1 or 2 other people doing the same with removing the mdf and redoing the whole cabinet.Just make sure you sand the mdf if you just stain or plan on doing the Duratex,as there is still glue residue on them. I actually liked how well mine came out with the surrounds that I was thinking of doing all my speakers with the Duratex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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