LeonBryant Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 So, I just purchased a solid pair of Forte IIs on eBay. I've ordered new tweeter diaphragms and crossovers from Bob Crite. While the cabinets are solid, they do have a few scratches because they did not get the TLC they deserved over the years! My question is whether any of you have done any refinishing on cabinets? One school of thought is to leave the in their vintage condition, and that would not bother me. But I'd like everyone's thoughts on this. Can they be sanded and then stained again? Will that affect their value in any way? The online Klipsch family is awesome and i really appreciate the knowledge in the forums. Leon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 First off, Welcome to the forums. Is the damage on the corner in one of your pictures the worst of the damage? If so personally I would try to fix that. Do you know what the finish is? Is it oil or lacquer, I mean. Oil finishes are very easy to redo/renew, lacquer takes more time and skill. This assumes you intend to keep these, which sounds like you do since you have already contacted Mr. Crites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeonBryant Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 I really am not sure, babdono. I'm going to assume it's probably oil-based stain. So, I should be able to refinish the same way I'd refinish any solid wood cabinet? In other words they are not laminated as some other brands of speakers? Yes, I am definitely keeping them! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZEUS121996 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 They look like oak lacquer. I f you can take a picture of the tags on the back, it will give the people who refinish the info they need. They are laminated, probably over MDF Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedcrankcammer Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Your finish is Oiled Oak veneer. That is a thin piece of veneer over MDF. The only way to fix that would be to splice in a small piece of Veneer or totally revenuer them. If I was me, I would keep them the way they are and if it really bothered me, I would keep my eyes out for a perfect set and replace them when the opportunity presents itself. While those speakers have an excellent sound in my opinion, they are not valuable enough to justify a revenuer in my opinion. Good luck, welcome to the forum, and enjoy the ride Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) I am in the process of redoing mine that came in black. The tops were warped due to water damage. I redid the covers already,and will be sanding down the speakers and attaching Brazilian Rosewood veneer. Cost of the fabric was $40.00, cost of the veneer was $150.00. Cost of the speakers was $350.00. I also did the Crites crossovers and ti diaphrams. Edited January 8, 2016 by Jim 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedcrankcammer Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 I am in the process of redoing mine that came in black. The tops were warped due to water damage. I redid the covers already,and will be sanding down the speakers and attaching Brazilian Rosewood veneer. Cost of the fabric was $40.00, cost of the veneer was $150.00. Cost of the speakers was $350.00. I also did the Crites crossovers and ti diaphrams. speaker veneer.jpg update speaker pic 2.jpg They should be very pretty when you are done Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZEUS121996 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 I am in the process of redoing mine that came in black. The tops were warped due to water damage. I redid the covers already,and will be sanding down the speakers and attaching Brazilian Rosewood veneer. Cost of the fabric was $40.00, cost of the veneer was $150.00. Cost of the speakers was $350.00. I also did the Crites crossovers and ti diaphrams. speaker veneer.jpg update speaker pic 2.jpg Those should look great when you're done Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 If it is oil finish as Roger states this is what I would do. Fill that crack/missing veneer with this: https://www.dap.com/dap-products-ph/plastic-wood-solvent-professional-wood-filler/ use the natural or lightest oak one because when you re oil it will darken. Sand your patch to the original lines of the wood so the smallest amount of patch remains just to cover the defect. Then use one of these: http://www.minwax.com/wood-products/maintenance-repair/minwax-wood-finish-stain-marker to mimic the darker grain strands in the oak veneer Then lightly resand the entire cabinet. Be careful when re sanding because as others have stated the veneer is THIN. Then re oil with Watco natural oil finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 My Post #1 on this board was to get help in refinishing my CF-4's in Med Oak finish. I made specific notes on what I did as I worked my way through my first refinish project ever. Here is the link to my thread: https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/149241-epic-cf4-needs-overhaul/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldred Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 I agree with everything babadono says. The finish looks like oiled oak. The damage is small enough to just fill and match. You might notice it when you are finished..... But nobody else will. G.E.M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woofers and Tweeters Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Do the upgrade and enjoy them. If you're like the others on this forum, you'll be looking for some Chorus next...not that I would know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tipatina Posted September 15, 2018 Share Posted September 15, 2018 On 1/8/2016 at 4:37 PM, babadono said: Then lightly resand the entire cabinet. Be careful when re sanding because as others have stated the veneer is THIN. Then re oil with Watco natural oil finish. Random Orbital sander? What grit would you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 18 hours ago, tipatina said: Random Orbital sander? What grit would you use? Be careful if you use a power sander. Myself I would just do it be hand. Maybe 120-150 to start at the repair. 180-220 over the rest of the cabinet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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