Repairing holes in loudspeaker (cloth) surround

[ben.in.salzburg]

A while back I stabbed a hole in the cloth surround of a woofer. Some of the guys on this forum helped me out with a solution, and I would like to share it with you all:

Nail varnish. Cheap, girly nail varnish. Gently brushed on. First one side. Then the other. Leave for a few hours. Surround is ready for action again.

This solution is strong and has saved me a lot of money.

I am wondering now... For larger rips, maybe you could use a bit of canvas soaked in nail varnish, or some sticking plaster (old school style, very sticky, fabric backed). Has anyone got hints and tips to share for larger holes in speakers?

Once more, thank you very much to those who suggested nail varnish in the first place!

Ben

[Sydney]

I have repaired many torn cones. The latest was a JBL 2206; torn from dust cover to edge of frame, including the surround.
I have used pieces of black tissue paper doped with soft fabric glue ( Aleene's Tacky Glue of Rosco FlexBond ). Rosco FlexBond* is a staple in theatre production for flats, background and stage props, as it maintains a flexible adhesive bond to many materials.
I even out the tear edges, and start with a thinned mix ( w water and a drop of surfactant ) of the above adhesives.
The thinned adhesive mix allows pieces of tissue to to be shaped into the pleats in the cloth surround. Use a pin vise or dental picks.
Once the initial tear is covered, it is reinforced with additional strips ( as necessary ), with thicker ( less thinned ) glue. I usually use this opportunity to full dope the cone.
The measured change in impedance is usually a very small drop in Fs ( <.5Hz ) due to slight increase in cone mass. The cone is now water proof and stronger.
I don't use stiff/hard glues or varnish, and only flexible materials.

* http://www.northernsound.net/Sales/stag ... paint.html

[Tim A]

Canvas is too heavy. Like Sydney, I've done them using tissue paper. Coat the cone with girly nail polish, apply tissue, let dry, apply more nail polish.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Canvas is too heavy. Like Sydney, I've done them using tissue paper. Coat the cone with girly nail polish, apply tissue, let dry, apply more nail polish.

+1 on tissue paper and nail polish for cones, but -1 on surrounds. There you should use silkscreen and a flexible adhesive, like Sydney mentions.

[ben.in.salzburg]

I'll check them before my next gig then. Should I remove the nail varnish from the surrounds or just work over it?

[longdrive03]

I've also heard of using cigarette paper and nail varnish and applying several coats of varnish. I've got a K-33E I need to repair and I might try the silkscreen method.