2405H Refinishing

[subwoof]

Someday I will document all these tips and processes into a book and sell it. For now donations are gratefully accepted.

I just cleaned a pair of 044's for install in a pair of 18ti's so it was fresh. I also overhauled a pair of 035Ti's and whattabitch it was. That foam under the dome stuck like a mother and just would NOT let go. No wonder they didn't sound "right"...

WHY JBL used that kind of foam INSIDE of components is a mystery. Back in the PA days that foam would go to goo and drop in the gap on the E140 woofs and cause problems.

rant, rant...

There are JBL's all over this house...sooner or later the magnets are gonna suck a cessna out of the sky and there will be some explaining...

sub

[scott fitlin]

They do, but taking out the center wedge requires first removing the outer horn and then removing the rear label which will reduce their value, but more importantly, unless you are very careful you will likely damage the diaphragm and may not be able to once again center it. There are no guide pins for the ring radiators. To remove the outer horn is straight forward and easy enough though.


Widget

but, if you want to refinish them, YOU have to take the phase plug off as well.

I have done this, without damaging the diaphragm, BUT, I warn people it is a FRAGILE and CRITICAL piece, one slip, u need a NEW phragm.

IF I were refinishing the slot, I would want the Phase plug and horn flare to be an EXACT match in color tonality.

IF I WERE refinishing, I
and they were for home use, I wouldn't do the exact matte finish JBL did. I would use Dupont hot Hues, or House Of KOLORS custom automotive refinish paints, black, 3 stage paint, and many clear coats and make a TOTALLY DESIGNER and KILLER CUSTOM BLACK SLOT TWEETER.

Just what I would do, no one has to agree with everything I think.

[scott fitlin]

Make yourself a buffing wheel!

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DN

Take a 1/2 HP 1725rpm electric motor, and get a buffing wheel mandrel and a couple of 6" white cotton buffing and some buffing compund sticks.

You will surprised on how many things you will use it on!!!

Buff that aluminum up to a shine!!!! Like a Boeing 777!

Otherwise, try a green Scotchbrite pad and a LITTLE elbow grease. Not too much.

Scotty.

know what else works?

WHEEL MAGIC for Aluminum rims. You take your bullets apart, put em in the sink, spray them, horn flare and phase plug, let them sit for 2 minutes, then rinse them off, towel dry, and then buffing wheel for even better results, AND YOU GOT SHINY NEW BULLETS! And IF you go to the trouble of a buffing wheel, you might as well use some Mothers Aluminum Polish too!



I have done this.

[edgewound]

IF I WERE refinishing, I
and they were for home use, I wouldn't do the exact matte finish JBL did. I would use Dupont hot Hues, or House Of KOLORS custom automotive refinish paints, black, 3 stage paint, and many clear coats and make a TOTALLY DESIGNER and KILLER CUSTOM BLACK SLOT TWEETER.

Sounds like a case of "pimp my slot".

As far as using Scotchbrite pads vs. steelwool...if the magnet is separated from the horn there is no worries about magnetic attraction because you're gonna keep the magnet way away from any debris from the horn cleaning.

If the aim is to make these look like new again, you need to strip all the old finish off and re-primer so you end up with a smooth, scratch and blemish free new finish.

This really isn't rocket science. You disassemble carefully, strip, clean, primer and paint, dry for a day or two...reassemble....listen...admire.

[scott fitlin]

When you see the pics of my newly repainted bumper cars, PIMP they ain't, class they have. The true blue pearl, Candy Apple red, and Irridescent Posie purple is vibrant, lit up, but not garish like a 1960,s or 70,s cheesey, tacky metal flake was.

I do have this one car, we got in 1982, soli,s pantera model, we only have one, and in Low Rider magazine, I saw a guy with his restored 1970 Buick Riviera, and he painted it Candy Pearl Hot Pink, with White accenting, and I am doing the Pantera in this color, with snow white accenting, OK thats pimp, BLING BLAU!

I am partial to blues, and I think the slot would look good like this. Jus my opinion.

The only thing I just don't agree with, is using spray paints from a consumer store can iof spray paint. The ONLY way to really get TOP FLIGHT RESULTS is with a GOOD spray gun, or airbrush. Granted, most of what makes the difference between an OK paint job, and a GREAT paint job is in the prep, but, then, even at this point, you may as well use better prep products than just scotchbrite. Dupont, and SEM offer cleaning agents to use once the surface has been stripped, to remove any contaminants and leave a completely clean surface ready to be primed, and well, just like a car, the slot is metal, and proper prep does make a big difference.

BTW, I passed NYC Inspection with flying col,ors, and NOW I am past my grueling winter work, OH what a relief, I bought a digital cam, I am goin g to post pics of the place, my system, my shop, etc.

I opened up today, 1st day and went well.




Oh, now I have to redo lightshow, DAYUM, my work never ends!

[subwoof]

My "simple" non-pimp method assumes that the phase plug didn't get scratched ( they rarely do ) so all the extra work isn't needed. Just wiping them off with some mild cleaner is sufficient.

So leave the foilcal, phaseplug, magnet, worry and just reface the horn fronts.

But on the subject of "pimping", I have a pile of older bullet horns that I will turn into slot horns by adding solid acrylic ( the bug-in-a-paperweight stuff ) and maybe I will embed a handful of surface mount LED's of different colors first.

Then I can have an up-to-date color organ while I hear the 4345 clones stomp the house...

ooh ooh ooh ooh stayin' alive

[SMKSoundPro]

But on the subject of "pimping", I have a pile of older bullet horns that I will turn into slot horns by adding solid acrylic ( the bug-in-a-paperweight stuff ) and maybe I will embed a handful of surface mount LED's of different colors first.

HEY!!!!!!

That was MY idea!!!!!!