Touching Up / Fixing Cherry Finishes On Lsi Speakers?

[megasat16]

I need help, Guys! I screwed up one of my LSi speakers Cherry finish with alcohol.

It's only on the finishing and I want to know how can I touch up the cherry color and refinish the top coating. I am hands on with new paint finishes but totally a dumb ass when it comes to restore the old finishes.

Any help is appreciated!

[mmadden28]

ouch!
Well, I'm no finishing expert, but not too long ago my children spilled some Purell on a nice wood end table, and the whole thing turned white, kind of like I see in your pic but to a much more significant degree. I thought it was ruined for sure and would require a compleet refinishing.

I figured can't hurt at this point---So I used a very fine steel wool to buff out the damaged clear coat and it looks 1000 times better--not perfect but WOW. My wife and I (and her angry Mom - it used to be her table) were shocked with how good the result turned out

Perhaps try a pensil eraser??

Actually don't try anything I suggested until you hear from somebody that knows something about finishes.

[Keiko]

oWch! Maybe F1 can chime in on this. Good luck.

[F1nut]

That's beyond turning white, the alcohol has eaten thru the finish. There is way to repair it, but unless you know what you're doing and have the materials to do it with, forget it. I suggest you find a really good restoration/touch up professional. However, they may still suggest refinishing the panel as the best choice.

For a finish that has simply turned white from having moisture trapped beneath the clear coat, denatured alcohol works very well. However, if the clear coat is shellac, extreme caution must be exercised as denatured alcohol is the solvent for shellac. There is a procedure for this, don't just pour denatured alcohol on the finish. Another trick that works more often than not is cigar ash and spit mixed together and rubbed over the white area.

[mmadden28]

Wouldn't the cigar ash and spit essentially just be a mild abrasive paste?

[F1nut]

No, abrasion is the last thing one wants as it will only compound the issue. Drawing the moisture out is the goal and cigar ash seems to be rather good at it.

[mmadden28]

Megasat, what kind of alcohol did you splash on it? I guess I was assuming rubbing alcohol or the hand sanitizer type.

[megasat16]

That's beyond turning white, the alcohol has eaten thru the finish. There is way to repair it, but unless you know what you're doing and have the materials to do it with, forget it. I suggest you find a really good restoration/touch up professional. However, they may still suggest refinishing the panel as the best choice.

For a finish that has simply turned white from having moisture trapped beneath the clear coat, denatured alcohol works very well. However, if the clear coat is shellac, extreme caution must be exercised as denatured alcohol is the solvent for shellac. There is a procedure for this, don't just pour denatured alcohol on the finish. Another trick that works more often than not is cigar ash and spit mixed together and rubbed over the white area.

Jesse, thanks for chiming in! I am learning new things everyday! I guess the whole panel refinishing would be more suitable for my skills level. What brand and what Cherry stain would be suitable for LSi?

Should I remove the side panels or I can do it with the cabinet laid down on it's side? I will apply masking tape in all other areas of the cabinet and sand it down lightly with #220 (or do you recommend #150 or #400).

What kind of clear coat is applied on the woodsides? I am guessing non gloss polyurethane on the wood panels.

[megasat16]

Megasat, what kind of alcohol did you splash on it? I guess I was assuming rubbing alcohol or the hand sanitizer type.

The wife used rubbing alcohol and mild soap to clean up the stains. :(

[F1nut]

I have no idea what Polk used for color, the choices are endless. To get an exact match requires a good eye and a good supply of materials. Most likely, a dye was used rather than a stain.

You don't sand shit, you strip off the finish and that should be done with the panel removed.

The clear coat is most likely satin lacquer. If the clear coat was polyurethane you wouldn't have the damage that you do.

It shouldn't cost that much to have a pro do the one panel.

[megasat16]

Thanks again, Jesse! It would be nice if Polk CS could chime in for the color and removal procedure of the side panels. Do you know who should I talk to at POLK for this?

I am also thinking to have it removed and send to a pro for restoration but I might just have some fun myself if I know what materials to use.

[nooshinjohn]

can replacement panels be purchased from Polk?

[VSchneider]

Absolutely yes, and remember to ask for the Club discount. They should be able to tell how the sides are attached on each particular version (glue, double-sided tape, or screws from the inside). That cherry looks like these are the "new" LSi?

[F1nut]

Hey, if Polk sells the panel, that's the easy way out. Call Helen, she should be able to point you in the right direction.

[Face]

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73475

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29800