Cleaning sticky drivers in SDAs

[Refefer]

Alas, I love to listen to my speakers in the nude (the speakers, not myself) and I'm concerned about how to maintain the stickiness of the driver while de-dusting the midranges which have accumulated loads of dust.

Any thoughts? Does the stickiness matter (which I suspect it does)? What do you vintage owners think?

[F1nut]

Clean them with a soft, lint free cotton cloth and Windex. Apply the Windex to the cloth, not the drivers. Wipe in a circular motion. Once clean, put your grill covers back on to prevent the dust from accumulating again. If you're watching the drivers move, you're not getting the full experience from your music.

[Refefer]

No, I don't do it because I like to "watch" the drivers... I doubt they do since I listen to mostly acoustic sets. I just feel that some of the details are dampened due to the cloth.

I'll give the windex a try.

[F1nut]

In that case, you might consider upgrading the crossovers and replacing the grill cloth with a more acoustically transparent type.

The Windex works, even makes the rubber surrounds look better.

[rskarvan]

A little bit of armour-all on the rubber-edges makes them shiney and black looking. Doesn't hurt a thing if applied sparingly.

[beef316]

I would be afraid that the windex would dry the drivers out.

[george daniel]

what happened to the "eye of bat and toe of newt" method? :D

[F1nut]

A little bit of armour-all on the rubber-edges makes them shiney and black looking. Doesn't hurt a thing if applied sparingly.

Applied even once, the damage is done.

I would be afraid that the windex would dry the drivers out.

Well, I wouldn't do it more than once every few years or more, but I haven't seen or heard of any ill effects. The difference between the two is that Windex evaporates immediately and leaves no residue. Armor All leaves a residue that actually attracts dirt and dust and has been proven to remove the natural oils from rubber based materials.

[SLIPKIK]

No, I don't do it because I like to "watch" the drivers... I doubt they do since I listen to mostly acoustic sets. I just feel that some of the details are dampened due to the cloth.

I'll give the windex a try.

Try this, with the grills off,put on some AC/DC and crank it up. Trust me the dust will be on the floor.

[rskarvan]

F1, applied even once, the damage is done.

What damage???

[John in MA]

Armor-All isn't so hot. Use it long enough on your car and the interior will start coming apart. Professionals won't use the stuff.

Rubber surrounds don't need any kind of treatment. Just keep them clean.

[F1nut]

Ron, Armor All leaves a residue that actually attracts dirt and dust and has been proven to remove the natural oils from rubber based materials.

[rskarvan]

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[F1nut]

Pure ad hype. As John pointed out, the pro's won't use it. 'Nuff said.

[rskarvan]

Agreed. Nuff said.