Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Paintability of Axiom Speakers

So I was going to order the M60 but a coworker is selling his 2 year old M60 for $400 to get M22 to accomadate this smaller room. Problem is that it is Lite Maple with black grilles and I really needed Boston Cherry to match everything else.

My question is can the tower be painted after I remove all the speakers and cover up the ports and stuff? If so is the paint High gloss, semi-gloss, satin? Does anybody off hand know if they make paint similar to boston cherry? Is it better off to paint or spraypaint?

If this could happen, I could save $500 and put it towards a SVS, HSU, or EP350 sub. THanks for all the advice.

interesting question.. i think it was brought up a long time ago, but i dont remember the final answer.

i to am curious if the vinyl/laminate which covers the axioms has the ability to be painted over.. you would have to do a faux wood-grain.

i would think the guys in the axiom cabinet shop might have the best answers on this one.

bigjohn

They might be able to steer him with directions for moving the current laminate safely, and then stain the wood to his likeing

You could also grab those for $400 and sell them on ebay for $550-600, pocket the difference and order some new ones from Axiom.

In reply to:

---

stain the wood to his likeing

---

Not sure I'd finish them myself, but...

It's MDF under there... being made up of sawdust and glue, it doesn't take stain worth wolf crap - besides, in the end it would look like stained subfloor - great stuff acoustically, not very pretty. Even painting them - I suggest Zinser or Kiln primer first - have to seal that stuff up tight. It'll take paint/primer differently in different spots - cut ends will soak it up like crazy and even across a face, some spots will contain more wood fibre and sponge it up while other are more glue and will pool (or sag!)

If you are going ahead with it, I'd suggest removing the drivers, binding posts, etc rather than masking them.

Would be kind of neat to see someone do a PPG Radiance candy colour on their speakers... lessee... 2 primers, 2 base coats, 2 midcoats, 2 clears... maybe some flame decals after...

The M60s would weigh an extra 5-10 lbs afterward.

Bren R.

If I remember correctly from the pics chess shot at the Axiom factory, the cabinets are folded rather than cut in a traditional way. As a result the "end grain" of the MDF shouldn't be exposed.

Had to come back and add onto my post...

The more I think about this, the more of a PITA is becomes, you'd have to strip the veneer with a heat gun, which would leave behind some glue gunkies... which would have to be manually removed (couldn't use chemical means - MDF has a tendency to swell when wet - could loosen up your corners - thanks for the reminder that the speakers are folded up, not mitred and fastened, BigWill) then you'd have to sand, prime, paint and probably clear or dullcoat the speakers (or use something like Varathane's Colours in Plastic - stuff is more like painting on a polymer plastic than paint) seems like a lot of work for something that could end up looking like drek.

Maybe use that time to put in some OT at work and just outright buy what you want instead?

Bren R.

In reply to:

---

Maybe use that time to put in some OT at work and just outright buy what you want instead?

---

My thoughts as well.

IMO, It would be difficult at best (with tons of luck) to have the end result look anything similar to the original qaulity. I've seen it tried many times with various products and have only seen very good results occasionally.

rustolium makes a spray paint designed for vinal and plastic surfaces-you can try that-best of luck to ya

Rough up the vinyl with steel wool, add veneer and stain to match.

You might want to try "Partsexpress": Go to their site, find "Speaker Building" at the top of the page, and look at "Laminates" to the right in "Parts and acc." They have quite a variety of vinyl laminates that may be quite close to Axiom finishes.

They sell it in 2ft by 10ft rolls for about $15.

They also have a pretty good forum that may be able to answer some questions about whether this approach may be appropriatefor your application.

Rich.

Not worth the hassle in my opinion. They'll never look the same as your other ones. If $$ are an issue order from the outlet or order what you can afford and buy the other speakers later. It would be better than having some really strange looking stain/paint over vinly veneer.

You would do very well to call Joe Vassallo tomorrow afternoon or evening on the toll-free line. He's an artist and some of his students have done amazing projects involving Axiom speakers and airbrushes. He'll be able to give you the best advice and talk through your options. 1-866-244-8796.

thanks everyone i talked to some family members and they pointed out how i am kinda anal about things and they said i would spend all my time thinking that i should of gotten new. Good deal from a coworker but i would sleep easier with new (or b-stock) axioms. But heck, if resurfacing is still an option as when i spoke to alan today, maybe i'll still consider it.

Hi Amie,

Can't we have some pictures of these "amazing projects"
Pretty please

Joe's bio : http://www.axiomaudio.com/archives/joev.html

Joe's page : http://www.axiomaudio.com/Joespage.html

Peter has the picture of his speakers on a computer that is currently in transit . . . he hopes to have pics for us by late next week!

I built my shop cabinets out of MDF. It takes paint very nicely. End grain or not. Just prime it first. I’ve also used MDF for window trim in custom homes. I mill it, shape it, hang it and then spray it. Turns out extremely smooth and glossy – and in whatever profile the customer requested.

But, you aren’t working with MDF, your working with a vinyl overlay. This can be painted as well. Rough it up with an orbital sander and 100 grit paper, then a quick prime coat, then spray at will. Use a good latex based glossy enamel and the paint will hold up well. Three or four light coats.

In our experience, sandpaper is too strong for the vinyl. We recommend a very fine steel wool to rough it up before you paint it - roughing it up prevents the paint from chipping. Lots of hardware stores carry vinyl paint.

What ever happened to the pics of those custom painted Axioms?