Fixing a tear in a speaker

Michael Haselman · Post by **Michael Haselman** » 2 Dec 2005 7:37 pm

Can this be done with rubber cement or something? About a 2 inch tear. Or do I need a recone? It's just for a practice amp.

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Marrs D-10, Webb 6-14E

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 2 Dec 2005 7:56 pm

If the speaker cone is still all there you might try to patch it with fingernail polish and kleenex. First polish and then put the kleenex on the polish and then a coat over. I have fixed a couple this way.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 2 Dec 2005 9:58 pm

Michael, when the cone paper and edge surround are in decent shape, I've had good results repairing cone tears with silicone sealant. I get the small squeeze tubes of clear or black available at hdwe. or automotive supply stores. When cured, it'll last at least as long as the speaker. Also, it stays flexible and won't dry out and crack like some adhesives can.

Haven't tried the method Craig describes, but that sounds like it would also be effective.[This message was edited by Jerry Overstreet on 02 December 2005 at 10:21 PM.]

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 2 Dec 2005 10:55 pm

Weldwood contact cement and a patch cut out of a ladies nylon stocking or pantyhose. First,line up the edges of the tear - then put a thin layer of glue around the tear and while it's still wet,put the patch on and allow to dry. Then put another thin coat of glue on top of that. Hit the backside of the paper with a thin coat of glue as well. I've done this many times. Sometimes a speaker just plain gets old and the accordian pleats near the edge get ragged and torn from one too many excursions.The same kind of patch will give years more life to the speaker - just make sure the patch conforms to the ripples in the edge of the paper cone. One other trick is that when the chrome dustcover in the center of the speaker gets dented in - just put a piece of masking tape on it and pull the dent out with a quick yank on the tape.
-MJ-

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 2 Dec 2005 11:32 pm

I've been using the tissue paper method for decades, and it works great. I have some speakers that have 10 year old repairs (don't ask what happened) and there's no sign of a problem.

White glue also works in lieu of fingernail polish, and is a little more flexible. It's what I usually use. Only use fingernail polish when I need it back in service *now*.

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 3 Dec 2005 4:56 am

I've used a piece of denim soaked in weldwood cement.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 3 Dec 2005 5:00 am

The following is a direct copy from Ted Weber of Weber Speakers:

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Reach under the cone and gently push the paper in the tear back into the hole. Spread white elmers glue around the hole on the face of the cone.
Lay down a patch of tissue paper on the hole that is about 1/2" bigger than the hole on all sides. Work the tissue into the glue until it is wet all over. After a few minutes, put down some more glue and some more tissue. Do that 4 or 5 times and let it sit over night.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Michael Barone · Post by **Michael Barone** » 3 Dec 2005 9:27 am

The solution that we use in our shop is to use gasket sealer if you have to repair the outside edge. We have done the entire circumference on some high-power speakers with good results.

Mike

Michael Haselman · Post by **Michael Haselman** » 3 Dec 2005 10:30 am

Thanks, everyone. I went with the fingernail polish/tissue method, since I have the stuff in the house and it's snowing out and I didn't feel like going anywhere. It seems to be holding.

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Marrs D-10, Webb 6-14E

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 3 Dec 2005 2:23 pm

Snowing out? It's not snowing where I'm at Mike!

Michael Haselman · Post by **Michael Haselman** » 3 Dec 2005 4:04 pm

Well Kevin, it must have swerved around Farmington cuz we got about 4 inches of that fluffy stuff you can blow off with a leaf blower. It's still coming down at 6 p.m. I'll get the snowblower out tomorrow.

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Marrs D-10, Webb 6-14E

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 6 Dec 2005 9:40 am

"Shoe-Goo" - that's the stuff to get, it sticks forever and never hardens. I've got four K140's in a pair of subwoofer boxes that all have the surrounds held together with the stuff and they're still pumpin' out the kick drum and bass guitar five years later.