colterphoto1 Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH well gang, I was cleaning up the garage yesterday, so first took everything outside. Including my mint industrial LaScalas with the fibreglass covering and aluminum edges. Set the horn sections face down on the lawn so nothing would fall in them. (yeah, I should have just set em up properly). But here's what happened. It was fairly hot out and the black cabinets must have soaked up the heat. When I picked them up after setting that way for a couple of hours, there was moisture clinging to the metal of the horns and the black fibreglass was now mottled white! The heat must have sucked up moisture from the ground. I immediately set them upright, toweled out the horns, and set a fan up to remove any residual moisture. They're dry and work, but the fibreglass on the front is still mottled. It appears that the cabinets are painted black, then a clear fibreglass mat or gel coat finish is applied. With all the exposed edges that the front panel has (entire perimeter and two horn cutouts) looks like the moisture got between glass and painted wood. Seems like I could remove horns and paint front black, try to strip off the old glass and reglass, apply black formica panel (yuch). I'd like to get them back looking as original as possible. Any hints? Thanks Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael hurd Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 That is definately a bummer for sure. Unfortunately, once the fibreglass has gotten moisture behind it, it will continue to appear white, even after drying. Your only way to make it look the way it should, would be to paint on top of the 'glass, with a black paint. You would have to do at least the entire front baffle, rather than to try and touch up the areas. If you want more info, gimme a holler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy James Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 ---------------- On 5/26/2005 8:03:53 AM colterphoto1 wrote: ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH well gang, I was cleaning up the garage yesterday, so first took everything outside. Including my mint industrial LaScalas with the fibreglass covering and aluminum edges. Set the horn sections face down on the lawn so nothing would fall in them. (yeah, I should have just set em up properly). But here's what happened. It was fairly hot out and the black cabinets must have soaked up the heat. When I picked them up after setting that way for a couple of hours, there was moisture clinging to the metal of the horns and the black fibreglass was now mottled white! The heat must have sucked up moisture from the ground. I immediately set them upright, toweled out the horns, and set a fan up to remove any residual moisture. They're dry and work, but the fibreglass on the front is still mottled. It appears that the cabinets are painted black, then a clear fibreglass mat or gel coat finish is applied. With all the exposed edges that the front panel has (entire perimeter and two horn cutouts) looks like the moisture got between glass and painted wood. Seems like I could remove horns and paint front black, try to strip off the old glass and reglass, apply black formica panel (yuch). I'd like to get them back looking as original as possible. Any hints? Thanks Michael ---------------- If that happened to me I would definitely wait at least a few weeks before I did ANYTHING. I've had moisture get trapped behind facias with the same spotting. I just set them aside out of frustration and when I came back Mother Nature and evaporation had taken care of the problem. These water spots came from a sort of steam, so there's probably not a lot of salts and stuff in the spots. You might get lucky. Try to relax and not think about it. Give it a little time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted May 26, 2005 Author Share Posted May 26, 2005 Thanks to Forum member Mike Hurd for a personal email and phone number today. He gave me clear, concise instructions on how to make the repair to my fibreglass cabinets. Very kind of you to take the time for my distress Mike. Gentlemen and Ladies, another great Forum Guy- Mike Hurd! Hats Off! I'll let you know how it turns out. Will practice on old PA cabinet first. Thanks a million Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholtl Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Michael, what happened to your cheerful avatar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Michael, Before you do anything rash, put them out in the sun with a blanket over them to block direct sun. What most likely happened is the FG absorbed some water. That is not uncommon on boats. A boat can weigh hundreds of pounds less when launched in the spring than when hauled in the fall. The water does not harm the fiberglass in them unless enough hydrostatic pressure builds up between layers to cause delamination (blistering). Blistering is much more common in places like Florida where the boat stays in the water year round than here in NE where it is high and dry for four or five months. Try it, you won't do any more damage and maybe save a lot of work and heartache. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted May 26, 2005 Author Share Posted May 26, 2005 Thanks Rick, I did have a fan running on them all night. It does appear that the glass has separated from the painted wood though. But I'll try a long drying period. Just glad I didn't damage the drivers. I'm talking about dripping wet! Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Someday, when you are using them in the back yard, it will rain. I predict no damage to the Lascalas. Your back however....... Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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