Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Refinishing speakers?

Hey everyone,

I have a set of M40's, VP100 and 3 QS4's, all currently in the standard Boston Cherry finish. We have moved into a new house, and with the new decor, I would like to change the finish of my speakers... likely to a black.

I've sent a couple emails to Axiom, and their suggestions were:

a) use their Trade-Up program and get new speakers [hardly cost effective for me!]
b) or paint the vinyl finish... I guess the wood for the cabinets come to them pre-finished, so they don't stock other vinyl.

Obviously, I would take the drivers and as many other parts out of the cabinet first. But has anybody tried painting their cabinets? Or is anyone willing to donate one of their speakers that I could practice on? Or is there some other option I'm missing?

Alan

I know this subject has come up before, and if I recall it was not recommended as the speaker is made from MDF under vinyl. At least I know it is someting I would not want to try.

I wouldn't remove the existing vinyl... just paint over it... sand/scuff it lightly first, then prime it.

Unless I get a better suggestion...

maybe axiom can send you some samples of the boston cherry vinyl and you can try different paints. I would reccomend using a spray rig with some type of oil base paint.

Try a google search for painting vinyl. I would def noteven think about painting my speakers without painting some samples first.

Tell axiom what youa re trying to do, and find out how much $ it would cost toget a few sample squares to practice on. They may even reccomend a type/brand of paint.

Also, if you were to try and sand it a little I would use a SUPER FINE sand paper/sponge, maybe like 300+ grit just to LIGHTLY rough up the surface.
Good luck!

EDIT: a quick search online reveals some people using vinyl dye from automotive stores too.

What about just purchasing the cabinets in black from Axiom and transfer over the components, it should be a little cheaper than the whole speaker.

So far as removing the vinyl, I have white foil/vinyl wrapped kitchen cabinets, well, doors and drawer fronts, and am in the process of removing it. It peeled off rather easily, especially with a little heat from a heat gun, and left the glue behind. A few hours of sanding and the doors and drawer fronts are nice and smooth. I am in the process of painting them right now. So it is possible to remove vinyl from MDF but it can be labour intensive.

You could try to paint the vinyl as well, there are paints for plastic in a spray can that I have used for some automotive trim and it seems to work very well.

I don't know if Axiom has any more M40 cabinets. Might be worth a call, though.

Like Jason said, they have spray paint specifically made for plastics:

http://www.krylon.com/products/categories/plastic/

Good idea... I fired off an email to Axiom, asking about purchasing empty cabinets. Even if they don't have M40 cabs, getting the others would be a huge help.

Ooooo!... I see that Krylon has a camouflage paint. Maybe I've stumbled onto to a new theft-deterrent device for home electronics... "If they can't see it, they can't steal it!"

heh, I just noticed you are in Calgary as well, I think we are Axiomaudio west.

Just $10, no? For one of their stock finish samples?