DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

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nola50
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DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#1 Post by nola50 »

I'm about to build a pair of J12Ls and am contemplating what the covering might be.

I know many of you rely on black DuraTex (my OTB15 is black DuraTex) and I've seen some cabs stained and in fabric. The BFM birch cabs are unique and I'm thinking staining them in maybe black, walnut, or mahogany to give them a bit of class.

What are your opinions?

Bruce Weldy
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Re: DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#2 Post by Bruce Weldy »

nola50 wrote:I'm about to build a pair of J12Ls and am contemplating what the covering might be.

I know many of you rely on black DuraTex (my OTB15 is black DuraTex) and I've seen some cabs stained and in fabric. The BFM birch cabs are unique and I'm thinking staining them in maybe black, walnut, or mahogany to give them a bit of class.

What are your opinions?
Depends on what you are using them for. If you are out gigging - duratex is the best to keep it from getting dinged up. Anyway, plywood doesn't stain worth a crap and looks homemade.

Nothing wrong with using Tolex either.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

Rich4349
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Re: DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#3 Post by Rich4349 »

I don't know about not staining well. I think both my T-60 and T-39 turned out really well!

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2 DR250s, 2 27" Lab15 T-60s, 2 30" Neo Titan 39s, 1 Autotuba...and looking for more!

jimbo7
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Re: DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#4 Post by jimbo7 »

Veneer? I don't know if they come in sheets big enough, but if most old hi-fi speakers were covered in it, it should be viable. Besides Duratex, Tolex would be my 2nd choice.
BFM builds:
XF212
T24 BP102 24"
2x SLA's 6-5" mids, 9- gt-302's
2x AT 14" MCM 55-2421
TrT 5" MCM 55-2421
AT 18" JBL GTO804
2x OT12 flat array
2x SLA Pro 2-Alpha 6's 2-Goldwoods
2x T39 24" 3012lf
Simplex 10 BP102

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LelandCrooks
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Re: DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#5 Post by LelandCrooks »

Use a conditioner. Then go find general finishes Gel stains. Nothing else will give a consistent finish. Voice of experience.
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Tom Smit
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Re: DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#6 Post by Tom Smit »

I don't know how long the covering will last but, here's something different. http://www.parts-express.com/brand/vvivid-vinyl/631
TomS

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subharmonic
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Re: DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#7 Post by subharmonic »

Stained my TLAH, SLA, and THTLP, all BB.

Came out a bit blotchy, was not a gel stain nor conditioned. I would heed Master Lelands advice. Still not an issue in a dark room though.
2x T39, 1x T60, 1x THTLP, 1x AT(not built by me) 6x DR250
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nola50
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Re: DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#8 Post by nola50 »

LelandCrooks wrote:Use a conditioner. Then go find general finishes Gel stains. Nothing else will give a consistent finish. Voice of experience.
I've found General Finishes here.

What's the drying time for conditioner and then stain on J12Ls 1/4 BB?

Thank you for the tip, sir!

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LelandCrooks
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Re: DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#9 Post by LelandCrooks »

IIRC 4-8 hrs. If you use the water bourne Gel wait 24. It's what I use most of the time. It can be done without the conditioner, and won't blotch out like other stains. The conditioner is insurance, and also makes the color more controllable.
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nola50
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Re: DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#10 Post by nola50 »

LelandCrooks wrote:Use a conditioner. Then go find general finishes Gel stains. Nothing else will give a consistent finish. Voice of experience.
What's your opinion on black DuraTex on outside and black gel stain on inside? The idea is that DuraTex might hold up better for the outside finish instead of gel stain.

Opinions always welcomed!

Bruce Weldy
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Re: DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#11 Post by Bruce Weldy »

nola50 wrote:
LelandCrooks wrote:Use a conditioner. Then go find general finishes Gel stains. Nothing else will give a consistent finish. Voice of experience.
What's your opinion on black DuraTex on outside and black gel stain on inside? The idea is that DuraTex might hold up better for the outside finish instead of gel stain.

Opinions always welcomed!
No question that Duratex will hold up better. Stain has no protection against bumps - Duratex does.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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James Champer
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Re: DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#12 Post by James Champer »

nola50 wrote:What's the drying time for conditioner and then stain on J12Ls 1/4 BB?
Thought I'd jump in here and mention that, although Leland gave you what I believe is a total dry time estimate, most stain pre-conditioners require that you stain about 5-15 minutes after application.

If you were curious :)
Retired Authorized Loudspeaker Builder - Indianapolis, IN

nola50
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Re: DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#13 Post by nola50 »

James Champer wrote:
nola50 wrote:What's the drying time for conditioner and then stain on J12Ls 1/4 BB?
Thought I'd jump in here and mention that, although Leland gave you what I believe is a total dry time estimate, most stain pre-conditioners require that you stain about 5-15 minutes after application.

If you were curious :)
And, of course, I am! Plan, plan, plan on this build.

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James Champer
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Re: DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#14 Post by James Champer »

Cool,

oh and my thoughts?

Yes... Duratex, will, stain, fabric.





(couldn't resist :lol: )
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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Re: DuraTex, stain, fabric... what are your thoughts?

#15 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

Tom Smit wrote:I don't know how long the covering will last
With pro gear about ten minutes. It's very thin, and will easily rip. It would be OK for a home speaker that's never moved, and never exposed to anything that could damage it, like a vacuum cleaner.

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