How to apply Duratex/Aldcrofts speaker paint using a roller.

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DAVID_L_PERRY
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How to apply Duratex/Aldcrofts speaker paint using a roller.

#1 Post by DAVID_L_PERRY »

I have been asked a couple of times how I get the textured finish on my cabs:-
Image

For those of us not using Compressors, here is how I do it using just a standard set of paint rollers....

First thing is to make sure the cab is fairly well sanded and wiped down to remove any loose dust. Dont go mad using a fine sandpaper as the textured finish will hide all but the worst of scrapes:-
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Next is to give the cabs a first coat using a small non textured paint roller.
I use an old set of speaker stand to suppor tthe cabs on

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The stuff I use from Aldcrofts dries so quick that by the time I have completed the second cab, the first coat is touch dry and can be re-coated.
This is the finish after just one coat:-
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After applying the second coat using the same small roller allow the paint to dry a little (just about touch dry or tacky) I then use a textured roller cut in half to apply the textured final coats. I cut the roller in half as it allows a little more control over the application.
This is the roller coated in paint along side a fresh unopened roller:-

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And here is the completed cab. 1.5-2 hours from start to finish including time for a coffee to allow the second coat to dry....I only did one textured coat on these cabs.

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Dave Perry

spiderbass
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#2 Post by spiderbass »

Really nice result David 8)

It's not easy to find Duralex in France, whitch product from Aldcrofts you use ?

Thanks for pictures, tips etc :wink:

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David Carter
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#3 Post by David Carter »

Thanks for the great explanation, David! I carpeted my Omni 10 I use for my bass rig, but I think I'm going to try to Duratex the PA speakers I hope to build next. This will be really helpful as I don't have a sprayer.
Dave

Built:
- Omni 10 (S2010 + piezo array)
- 2 x DR250 (DL II 2510 + melded array)
- 2 x Titan 39 (BP102 - 14"W)
- 2 x Titan 39 (3012LF - 20"W)
- 4 x DR200 (Delta Pro 8B + melded array)

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Chris_Allen
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#4 Post by Chris_Allen »

Did you use the textured roller in all directions or did you just roll randomly? and did you roll quickly or nice n slow?

Chris.

Sydney

#5 Post by Sydney »

I rolled in in direction only and didn't go go over what was already applied - nice and easy.
I would suggest you experiment and refine with your technique and possibilities on a scrape piece of plywood - including using sponges of different napes and textures.

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Harley
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#6 Post by Harley »

Chris_Allen wrote:Did you use the textured roller in all directions or did you just roll randomly? and did you roll quickly or nice n slow?Chris.
Yeah...and while you're at it Dave, did you roll from left to right, or right to left? Or perhaps North to South, or east to West.

Also please advise the amount of pressure applied around the rounded corners ( in kilo-pascals of course ) :lol: :lol: :lol:
Last edited by Harley on Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
ImageSemi-retired: Former Australia and New Zealand Authorised BFM cab builder.

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DAVID_L_PERRY
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#7 Post by DAVID_L_PERRY »

Chris_Allen wrote:Did you use the textured roller in all directions or did you just roll randomly? and did you roll quickly or nice n slow?

Chris.
Nice 'n' slow with the textured roller and in pretty much any direction you want.

Pay particular attention around the edges of the ply to allow a fair build up at those points to help hide the grain.

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Chris_Allen
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#8 Post by Chris_Allen »

Yeah...and while you're at it Dave, did you roll from left to right, or right to left? Or perhaps North to South, or east to West.
My current textured finish variates quite dramatically with variance in speed of application. The random orientation also creates a different effect than a consistent direction.

I really like the finish Dave has created, so I didn't see a problem in asking what I thought was a sensible question. Envidentally not.

Chris.

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David Carter
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#9 Post by David Carter »

Chris_Allen wrote:
Yeah...and while you're at it Dave, did you roll from left to right, or right to left? Or perhaps North to South, or east to West.
My current textured finish variates quite dramatically with variance in speed of application. The random orientation also creates a different effect than a consistent direction.

I really like the finish Dave has created, so I didn't see a problem in asking what I thought was a sensible question. Envidentally not.
Made sense to me...
Dave

Built:
- Omni 10 (S2010 + piezo array)
- 2 x DR250 (DL II 2510 + melded array)
- 2 x Titan 39 (BP102 - 14"W)
- 2 x Titan 39 (3012LF - 20"W)
- 4 x DR200 (Delta Pro 8B + melded array)

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fender3x
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#10 Post by fender3x »

:lol: :lol: :lol: <--These are a dead giveaway that Harley was kidding.

In my imagination, I have seen Bill and others cursing their computers after reading the third or fourth iteration of a stupid question I have asked. So far they have not kicked me off of here, so I can only assume that others feel the way I do: better a stupid question than a stupid mistake.

BTW, I have found that the more passes I make with the roller, the more consistent the finish, but also the rougher. It looks better with more passes, but can feel a bit like sandpaper. That's fine with me, but something to think about.

I also do it the way that the guy at Acrytech showed me (I live near the "factory")...which is to use the textured roller for both the first and the second coat. Lots of material in the 1st coat. More just for texture in the 2nd. After reading all the posts her, I think I know why they suggest doing it that way: It uses a lot more Duratex. I get less mileage from a gallon of Duratex than most people.

It's one of the reasons I hope Aldcroft begins selling here in the US. Their product looks very good and is considerably cheaper.

bgavin
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#11 Post by bgavin »

Are you using the High Build stuff that I see mentioned here?
My biggest worry is that when I'm dead and gone, my wife will sell my toys for what I said I paid for them.

tommysb
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#12 Post by tommysb »

It's also worth thinning down aldcrofts with a bit of water for the first couple of coats. It gets into the grain better, and adheres a bit better, backing the thick plasticy coating it provides less likely to chip off.

alexclaber
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#13 Post by alexclaber »

How do you think this would work on a five ply spruce or pine plywood, as opposed to baltic birch?

Alex

gdougherty
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#14 Post by gdougherty »

I use the Arauco stuff spruce/fir, who knows? Sanded with 120grit it paints and textures just like any other paintable wood surface, just fine.

alexclaber
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#15 Post by alexclaber »

gdougherty wrote:I use the Arauco stuff spruce/fir, who knows? Sanded with 120grit it paints and textures just like any other paintable wood surface, just fine.
Excellent, I was getting worried that I might have to use carpet...

Alex

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