Quick question; I'm thinking of doing a 15" build with the above horn, or something like it. I want to WAF it as hard as is practical, because whilst the new other half is quite prepared to let me build whatever I want, I don't want to look at an ugly speaker! How thick can you get away with painting the horn before it is detrimental to performance?
Cheers,
Russ
Cheers,
Russ
painting it will "color" the sound!
it would take really severe runs or ridges at places like the throat to cause any problem that would be audible.
it would take really severe runs or ridges at places like the throat to cause any problem that would be audible.
So you think white will make the treble too bright?
I'm figuring that as the throat is so deep, it's only going to get a dusting back there, so it shouldn't really matter.
Russ
only if it's high gloss!
to be safe multiple thin coats and checking that nothing does run down or puddle is the best approach IMHO.
to be safe multiple thin coats and checking that nothing does run down or puddle is the best approach IMHO.
If you use a high quality paint system (automotive?) you don't need a thick layer of paint.
How are you going to apply the paint? Spray or brush?
What's the horn made of?
Use a Textured Spray Paint
Use a Textured Spray Paint, many brands & colors available online and in stores like Home Deport & Lowes, like this: Rust-Oleum 7222830 Textured Spray Paint, 12 oz, Forest Green
A textured surface has been reported to be beneficial.
Use a Textured Spray Paint, many brands & colors available online and in stores like Home Deport & Lowes, like this: Rust-Oleum 7222830 Textured Spray Paint, 12 oz, Forest Green
A textured surface has been reported to be beneficial.
Or for real vivid colors try 3D Textured Glitter Self Adhesive Vinyl Wall Paper. It looks like it would be easy to cut to fit the contours of that horn.
3D Textured Glitter Self Adhesive Vinyl Wall Paper Sticker Film 2/10 M Roll Wrap | eBay
3D Textured Glitter Self Adhesive Vinyl Wall Paper Sticker Film 2/10 M Roll Wrap | eBay
can you provide a link or citation to that report?
texture would introduce diffraction,no? is diffraction not bad?
i don't doubt that a particular size of texture can produce an audible effect but is it technically better?
I considered that, but I rather want to see the horn. The mid-bass driver will get grill.
Russ
It's glass loaded ABS. Getting it applied by a professional paint shop was what I had in mind. 🙂
Russ
the wall paper reminds my of tolex and over time that stuff traps fine dirt into the texture and anybody who's restored an old guitar amp covered with the stuff knows just how much a pita it is to clean.... that would impact WAF.
A few years back there was a thread about this and someone had it done at an auto paint shop with beautiful results. Not sure I'd ever find that thread, but whoever did the paint was amazing. Perfect all the way down the interior.
Of course Altec used to paint some of their horns gold color.
Of course Altec used to paint some of their horns gold color.
+1
Finding a good auto painter, and getting him/her interested in your project is an excellent idea unless you already have a good setup for spraying, and proper safety equipment.
Failing that, a good auto paint store will be able to load your selected paint into an aerosol can. I think it's even possible to get 2-part paints loaded into spray cans.
Dupli-Color Automotive Bumper paint works well on these composite-type plastic horns.
Krylon "Fusion for Plastic" is another such spray paint that works well .
I've used both successfully on plastics.
In fact ( due to their affordability ) I simply buy both types in multiple colors + sheen's to test paint the back of my paint subject ( & then choose the most appealing ).
Some very light sanding ( with 800 grit ) is recommended.
🙂
Krylon "Fusion for Plastic" is another such spray paint that works well .
I've used both successfully on plastics.
In fact ( due to their affordability ) I simply buy both types in multiple colors + sheen's to test paint the back of my paint subject ( & then choose the most appealing ).
Some very light sanding ( with 800 grit ) is recommended.
🙂
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
I have kept three references I have run across to a slightly textured surface on the inside of a horn being beneficial, as opposed to a smooth glossy surface.
Post #165 in this thread Smallest Footprint Horn and Driver that can reach 500hz Search for this text:"This surface treatment has a surprisingly beneficial influence"
Second reference is this ElectraVolt: Western Electric KS-12024 horn under this heading "The Western Electric KS12024 horn in more detail." dated 12 January 2018 and search for this text: "Cast aluminium has roughed surface perhaps performing boundary layer excitation (BLE) - the intentional creation of small modes which prevent larger ones from developing. Earlier in wooden horn building I was surprised that the horns sounded better before they were sanded and finished." This starts out by stating that "the KS12024 horn stands out as one of the best sounding of all small horns". It also says "in wooden horn building I was surprised that the horns sounded better before they were sanded and finished".
The third reference is this thread: Reduce mouth resonance in horn in post #29 search for this text "the idea that turbulence created in the throat and amplified by the horn, can be attenuated (or ameliorated) by a textured surface"
I thought these were interesting and kept note of them. I had originally read some other thread on the topic but did not keep that reference, wish I had. It kept me thinking about this. I believe at Romy the Cat's site there was a reference to this also.
Post #165 in this thread Smallest Footprint Horn and Driver that can reach 500hz Search for this text:"This surface treatment has a surprisingly beneficial influence"
Second reference is this ElectraVolt: Western Electric KS-12024 horn under this heading "The Western Electric KS12024 horn in more detail." dated 12 January 2018 and search for this text: "Cast aluminium has roughed surface perhaps performing boundary layer excitation (BLE) - the intentional creation of small modes which prevent larger ones from developing. Earlier in wooden horn building I was surprised that the horns sounded better before they were sanded and finished." This starts out by stating that "the KS12024 horn stands out as one of the best sounding of all small horns". It also says "in wooden horn building I was surprised that the horns sounded better before they were sanded and finished".
The third reference is this thread: Reduce mouth resonance in horn in post #29 search for this text "the idea that turbulence created in the throat and amplified by the horn, can be attenuated (or ameliorated) by a textured surface"
I thought these were interesting and kept note of them. I had originally read some other thread on the topic but did not keep that reference, wish I had. It kept me thinking about this. I believe at Romy the Cat's site there was a reference to this also.
Last edited: