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

[Tom Smit]

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.

Yeah, I figured as much.

[nola50]

Will the stain cause any issues with the styrofoam? I am wondering if it will deform it.

I know, it's a crazy question!

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

On the subject of vinyl, I've come across a new to me product, 3M Di Noc. It's twice the thickness of other vinyl wraps, so obviously it would be more durable. For HT speakers that makes it a real contender. It's not cheap at $6.50/sq ft, but neither is veneer.
The main supplier is Metro Restyling. They sell it direct, and on Amazon, but the best price is on EBay.
This is a link to one color, there's more.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3M-DI-NOC-LIGHT ... 5d670f4155

[nola50]

Leland... When applying the General Finish gel stain should I use rag or brush for best results?

BTW, I'm leaning toward Black Cherry for the interior and Black Duratex for exterior.

Thanxabunch!

[LelandCrooks]

I've done both. I like a brush, the wipe down almost immediately with a rag. Deeper look.

[James Champer]

Leland... When applying the General Finish gel stain should I use rag or brush for best results?

BTW, I'm leaning toward Black Cherry for the interior and Black Duratex for exterior.

Thanxabunch!

Rags are better for stain and stain pre-conditioner (recommended!), not so much for top coats, which an all-in-ones are, essentially.

Pro tip: Stir, don't shake the can. Shaking creates bubbles. Also, slow strokes with a good brush is a must to keep those bubbles at bay as well.

[Diomedes_spear]

Has anyone ever used line-x to coat the cabs? It pricey but works great on truckbeds for protection. Not sure how much weight it would add compared to duratex

[DJPhatman]

Has anyone ever used line-x to coat the cabs? It pricey but works great on truckbeds for protection. Not sure how much weight it would add compared to duratex

There have been a few that have used Line-X, or Rhino-Coat and a few other truck bed spray-on coatings, including the DIY type. They have terrible solvent-based off-gassing, most, if not all, require heat to cure, and they are all quite expensive when compared to DuraTex. The weight would be negligible.

[NukePooch]

I made a couple small monitors years back and coated them in Herculiner truck bed coating. It took forever to harden, and was a mess to put on...It's durable, and looks much the same as when new, but Duratex is so much easier to use that for me, there's nothing better.

[BrentEvans]

Has anyone ever used line-x to coat the cabs? It pricey but works great on truckbeds for protection. Not sure how much weight it would add compared to duratex

There have been a few that have used Line-X, or Rhino-Coat and a few other truck bed spray-on coatings, including the DIY type. They have terrible solvent-based off-gassing, most, if not all, require heat to cure, and they are all quite expensive when compared to DuraTex. The weight would be negligible.

Line X does not off gas like the diy stuff. While expensive, your cabs will be literally bomb proof. It takes a significant sharp force to even scratch the stuff. It's way better than duratex or any other diy coating. While I don't currently own any line-x coated cabs, I worked around a whole system done in and for stuff that gets carted around, it really is the stuff.

Rattle-bomb packaged bedliners are then worst. Professional rhino is almost as good as line-x but is quite rough to the touch.