KG4 surrounds

[bentpencil]

Just picked up a pair of consecutive serial number KG4s for $100. Two of the surrounds have small nicks, but no cracks or tears, and seem quite pliable. I have read threads about treating the rubber surrounds with brake fluid, but.......................? Is that recommended, or is there something less intrusive for a treatment - or should I leave them alone? Thanks. This is the first set of Klipsch I have ever owned. SWEET!

Larry

PS Ser # 8644773 and 8644774, inspection tags signed by Jeanette Methias (?) and Vanessa Horton, if that means anything.

[silversport]

leave them alone...early kg4s...congrats...what finish??? WO Walnut Oil, OO Oak Oil...?
Bill

[bentpencil]

leave them alone...early kg4s...congrats...what finish??? WO Walnut Oil, OO Oak Oil...?
Bill
That explains the "00" on the inspection tag!!! Thanks.
By the way, there is a slight blemish on the side - maybe a little Old English or Liquid Gold? Will fine steel wool help?

LArry

[silversport]

those are topical and will look nice for a bit but there is a better recipe'...it involves a mixture of 3 parts gum turpentine and one part Boiled Linseed Oil (BLO)...you need to do this in a well ventilated area...pour some on a cotton rag...wipe into the wood...VERY FRAGRANT...let sit for about 15 minutes and wipe the excess off and buff with a cotton (or similar) cloth...SAFELY DISPOSE OF THE RAGS...DANGER Wil Robinson!...the rags could self ignite into flames as the rag air drys...I washed mine by hand in soapy water then threw them out...this will make them look great and is similar to what is used at the factory (sometimes Tru-Oil or gun stock oil...it's all BLO) but BLO alone is sticky and will remain so on your speakers...the gum turpentine allows the BLO to penetrate the wood.
Enjoy but be careful (it really is easy though...I know because I can do it...;)
Bill

[bentpencil]

Thank you, Silversport. I can do that!

[ozmoid]

I know there are probably lots if guys here who have seen it all before, but I'm not one of them!
:worthless

[BuckNaked]

I use Meguire's Gold Class Trim Detailer from the automotive section. It leaves a natural luster and conditions the rubber nicely.

[Urizen]

inspection tags signed by Jeanette Methias (?) and Vanessa Horton, if that means anything.

Larry, the pair of KG4 I picked up yesterday have the same inspector signatures.

If that means anything.:D

Ken

[bentpencil]

Larry, the pair of KG4 I picked up yesterday have the same inspector signatures.

If that means anything.:D

Ken
I think it means we're related..............:thmbsp::thmbsp::D

[cubdog]

I think it means we're related..............:thmbsp::thmbsp::D

:eek:

cubdog

[Carl G]

those are topical and will look nice for a bit but there is a better recipe'...it involves a mixture of 3 parts gum turpentine and one part Boiled Linseed Oil (BLO)...you need to do this in a well ventilated area...pour some on a cotton rag...wipe into the wood...VERY FRAGRANT...let sit for about 15 minutes and wipe the excess off and buff with a cotton (or similar) cloth...SAFELY DISPOSE OF THE RAGS...DANGER Wil Robinson!...the rags could self ignite into flames as the rag air drys...I washed mine by hand in soapy water then threw them out...this will make them look great and is similar to what is used at the factory (sometimes Tru-Oil or gun stock oil...it's all BLO) but BLO alone is sticky and will remain so on your speakers...the gum turpentine allows the BLO to penetrate the wood.
Enjoy but be careful (it really is easy though...I know because I can do it...;)
Bill

I truly respect those who have done the BLO thing. Personally, I've always been too lazy to drag my heavy speakers out of the basement (and/or) I've been concerned about the potential fire hazard.

Another suggestion that I learned from the Klipsch forum was to use Pledge Orange Revitalizing Oil. I've been using it on all of my speakers for about eight months now, and I love it. It makes the speakers a tad darker in color, but I love the results. You downside is you need to reapply it about every month to so, but its cheap, natural, easy to apply, and safe.

As for the surrounds, I've gone down this road with the Klipsch tech department a number of times. I've been told do not put anything on the rubber. According to Klipsch, it will not help longevity and may possibly cause some harm. I really don't know one way or the other - just passing along what I was told from Klipsch support.

You may want to post in the Klipsch forum asking the question about the rubber surrounds in hopes of getting more input and/or an official answer.