Altec 414Z Surround Ooze

[Mr. Widget]

Any ideas on how to best deal with surround ooze? I have a pair of Altec 414Zs that are in absolutely excellent condition except that they sat in an attic for the last decade or two and the coating on the surround ran. It glued the paper gasket to the cabinet and tore as I removed the woofer. The gasket is replaceable, but does anyone have a good fix for the excess goo? I know this is a common problem... but not one I've had before.


Widget

[spkrman57]

Try and heat it up slowly and you can use a Q-tip to remove excess goop(modified rubber cement is what I heard is used).

Maybe others have different ideas, that is what I used in the past to bring the surrounds back to life and look shiny again.

Don't let the heat get too hot as it might catch fire!!!

Ron

[John]

M.E.K. is what the reconer at G.P.A. uses. and that is what I use since he shared the info with me.

[Mr. Widget]

Thanks for the tip. I'll get some M.E.K.


Widget

[Steve Schell]

Widget, as you know this happens a lot with the doped Altec surrounds. The stuff is thermoplastic, and my theory has been that it migrates mostly when it gets warm.

As a vintage audio reseller taught me, warming it up and scooping out the excess is the thing to do. I use a hair dryer to warm it up and a small rounded dowel to scoop the material. Looks disturbed at first, but the material reflows and removes the evidence of your repair.

Leaving it alone is not a good option, as the goop immobilizes the surround and the cone can tear at that point. I had four 414Zs that had done this.

[Mr. Widget]

Well... that's two votes for heat. I was nervous about trying heat, why go organic when you can use carcinogens instead. I guess I'll borrow Mrs. Gadget's hairdryer when she isn't looking.


Widget