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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?

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.

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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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.

Use a conditioner. Then go find general finishes Gel stains. Nothing else will give a consistent finish. Voice of experience.

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

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

Cool,

oh and my thoughts?

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





(couldn't resist )

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.