Speaker cone fading due to age

[jdefonseka]

Guys,

I have 2 pairs of Technics SB-L70s, 1 pair of Technics SB-K43s, 1 pair of Technics SB-L75s and 1 pair of Technics SB-L50s. Cabinets and all individual speakers are in excellent condition with no damages. However, some of the speaker cones are turning a light brown color. When the speakers were new, cones were a dark black color. Anything that can be done about this? or just leave them be.

I attached pictures of my SB-K43s which are still black and some of the others that are turning brown.

Thanks

 

[HTHMAN]

If they are paper or fiber cones, probably a water soluble black dye or ink would work. Maybe black printer ink applied with a cotton ball.

 

[Renzor213]

Couple things you can do. Mix up some Rit dye from fabric places like Joann's, and brush it on. Liquid shoe polish from the drug store will probably work. Also, many automotive supply stores carry spray fabric dye. No expert on this, but bettin' the automotive stuff protect's best from direct sunlight UV exposure. No matter what, probably best doing this in the basement or garage, with the speakers laying down. Might be careful getting any of this stuff on foam surrounds.

 

[Coastsider]

"Wet Look" from PE.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=340-513

 

[jdefonseka]

Thanks for your replies guys. It's funny how some speakers got old looking while the others are fine. Like the woofer and the tweeter on one cabinet is like new while the mid range is discolored. Another cabinet has a tweeter that's discolored and the woffer and mid range looks good. As far as I know they were stored out of direct sun light.

Thanks again.

 

[michiganpat]

feel the cones a bit....are they stiff or do they feel overly flexible? some (non gel) superglue will darken and stiffen them up. details in the big Mach I thread...

 

[audio1025]

I wouldn't mess with them. You risk adding weight or stiffness to what can be a delicate balance. They are paper for a reason.

 

[sealy]

Is it really necessary to do anything at all to them? I've got old speakers with cones that are a bit faded. I'm more worried about the state of the surrounds, voice-coils, etc., than I am about fading. Unless the fading is indicative of some kind of structural weakening, I'd leave them be and let them age gracefully.

 

[daviddeep]

I had a pair of those SB-L70s back in the mid 1980s that I got secondhand. Mine were already brownish-looking like yours are now. They probably weren't that old when I had mine, so I'm wondering if some of the drivers Technics used just tended to be more brownish than others?