Hello,
I've finished my first set of Jeff Bagby's Continuum II speakers! Wow, I am blown away by the sound. Here is a picture of one of the Continuums. Unfortunately, it acquired a dimple in the front baffle due to hangar bolt issues... nevermind that for now, I'll have to fix it. (first time)
I don't like the way the paint turned out. I sprayed them with a higher performance version of plasti-dip which must be sprayed our of an HVLP gun, 1.8mm tip, all that stuff. It's not bad, but it's not what I wanted. It marks too easily and honestly, it doesn't take much for the edges to peel. It's not low maintenance at all.
So before I go out and buy some automotive urethane and respray them, I wanted to try wrapping them in vinyl to get a reclaimed/weathered wood look! I bought some architectural vinyl by 'vvivid'. I saw pictures of people wrapping their kitchen cabinets in it, so I figured 'why not a speaker cabinet?'
I opened the package and it isn't extremely flexible at all, and this worries me. I would say it's more like wallpaper than any kid of wrapping material. For perfectly square boxes (or cabinets), I'm sure it's no problem. However, I used a router to give my boxes smooth edges all the way around, including rounded corners. I'd need to almost 'melt' the vinyl to get it to adhere to the shape of the corner I imagine. Even worse, the woofer is recessed a half inch or so with a nice, rounded edge all the way around. I'm not sure how the vinyl is going to confirm to that, unless it gets VERY 'mold-able' when heated.
There is some (much) more expensive wood-like vinyl by 3m called 'di-noc', which appears to be very malleable, but I feel like I may be S.O.L. either way with the recessed baffle shape. I really want to give these a weathered, whitewashed wood-look. My wife is actually excited about the idea of them, and that's saying lot when it comes to my speakers, ha ha!
Any suggestions? Maybe I there is some other way to get this look on MDF cabinets that I don't know about. I really appreciate it folks. Take care.
P.S. Here is a picture of the reclaimed/weathered look I am going for:
I've finished my first set of Jeff Bagby's Continuum II speakers! Wow, I am blown away by the sound. Here is a picture of one of the Continuums. Unfortunately, it acquired a dimple in the front baffle due to hangar bolt issues... nevermind that for now, I'll have to fix it. (first time)
I don't like the way the paint turned out. I sprayed them with a higher performance version of plasti-dip which must be sprayed our of an HVLP gun, 1.8mm tip, all that stuff. It's not bad, but it's not what I wanted. It marks too easily and honestly, it doesn't take much for the edges to peel. It's not low maintenance at all.
So before I go out and buy some automotive urethane and respray them, I wanted to try wrapping them in vinyl to get a reclaimed/weathered wood look! I bought some architectural vinyl by 'vvivid'. I saw pictures of people wrapping their kitchen cabinets in it, so I figured 'why not a speaker cabinet?'
I opened the package and it isn't extremely flexible at all, and this worries me. I would say it's more like wallpaper than any kid of wrapping material. For perfectly square boxes (or cabinets), I'm sure it's no problem. However, I used a router to give my boxes smooth edges all the way around, including rounded corners. I'd need to almost 'melt' the vinyl to get it to adhere to the shape of the corner I imagine. Even worse, the woofer is recessed a half inch or so with a nice, rounded edge all the way around. I'm not sure how the vinyl is going to confirm to that, unless it gets VERY 'mold-able' when heated.
There is some (much) more expensive wood-like vinyl by 3m called 'di-noc', which appears to be very malleable, but I feel like I may be S.O.L. either way with the recessed baffle shape. I really want to give these a weathered, whitewashed wood-look. My wife is actually excited about the idea of them, and that's saying lot when it comes to my speakers, ha ha!
Any suggestions? Maybe I there is some other way to get this look on MDF cabinets that I don't know about. I really appreciate it folks. Take care.
P.S. Here is a picture of the reclaimed/weathered look I am going for:
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There are lots of similar customer images on the vvivid website.
Ask vvivid for a how to guide.
As you already have the product, router another front panel just to practice on.
And yes, you do need heat.
Ask vvivid for a how to guide.
As you already have the product, router another front panel just to practice on.
And yes, you do need heat.
Thank you Russ- I usually pride myself in scouring both ends of the internet looking for answers before I ask elsewhere. I'll take a look and see what you are talking about. Note, this vinyl is much different from the automotive films, I believe. I've seen the videos of them wrapping cars and this vinyl isn't nearly as malleable. The vinyl in those videos is almost like pizza dough!
Good point on the front baffle- just making another. I actually already did but I'm being cheap and wanted to know if I'm wasting my time. I.E. I can return this stuff still right now, unused. It's nearly $70 worth.
Good point on the front baffle- just making another. I actually already did but I'm being cheap and wanted to know if I'm wasting my time. I.E. I can return this stuff still right now, unused. It's nearly $70 worth.
Look at -
XPO White Black-Veined Marble Vinyl Wrap | Vvivid Canada – The VViViD Shop
Customer images; guy claims to have wrapped his car.
I guess I got lucky picking a random finish.
Maybe it's not so easy though! -
quote - 'please be weary when heating it.' sic.
XPO White Black-Veined Marble Vinyl Wrap | Vvivid Canada – The VViViD Shop
Customer images; guy claims to have wrapped his car.
I guess I got lucky picking a random finish.
Maybe it's not so easy though! -
quote - 'please be weary when heating it.' sic.
I have really been thinking about this a lot, and I know if I had unlimited resources to make this work, I could do it. I am speaking just of how I'd get the vinyl wrapped around the recessed woofer opening- I'd have a machine with a funnel shape, like a 'V' which would apply constant pressure downward through the woofer opening as the vinyl is heated. Eventually the 'funnel' would be as far down into the recess as it could go, where I'd then let the vinyl cool for a bit before removing it. That in theory, would work for this difficult situation: A corner-rounded recessed circle.
I'm off to give it a try right now. I figure the best I could do is to sneak one of my wife's measuring cups and use that as the funnel-shape. Maybe a ball of some sort...
The corners are a whole different beast, which I'll tackle after figuring this out. I suppose MAYBE I could just paint the recessed edges black so the vinyl doesn't have to conform to them, I don't know. I'm emailing vvivid right now, too. Thanks for the suggestions again, Russ. Have a great day.
I'm off to give it a try right now. I figure the best I could do is to sneak one of my wife's measuring cups and use that as the funnel-shape. Maybe a ball of some sort...
The corners are a whole different beast, which I'll tackle after figuring this out. I suppose MAYBE I could just paint the recessed edges black so the vinyl doesn't have to conform to them, I don't know. I'm emailing vvivid right now, too. Thanks for the suggestions again, Russ. Have a great day.
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As usual, I overthunk it!
A little heat and some tactical slicing, voila!
I had to go very slow and do an inch at a time. Every time it seemed like it was getting too tight because of the stretching, I made another cut in the vinyl to relieve tension. I'm very happy with the results. What do you think?
Thanks again!
A little heat and some tactical slicing, voila!
I had to go very slow and do an inch at a time. Every time it seemed like it was getting too tight because of the stretching, I made another cut in the vinyl to relieve tension. I'm very happy with the results. What do you think?
Thanks again!
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Cool I'm glad you all like it. Really more-so because I know I typed the phrase "vinyl wrapping reclaimed wood look" many a time into the ol' googs, and never came across something explanatory like this. Hopefully it helps people in the future.
I must stop this accidental lie before it spirals any more. I bought the wood look from two brands- Vvivid and 'VeryBerrySticker'. Vvivid did not have the actual reclaimed wood look- the closest they had was 'light teak'- which I did buy, and does look/feel awesome! This look is from the latter of the two companies. However, I will be using the Vvivid 'light teak' for other speakers in the future. Honestly the Vvivid material feels even more wood-like than this one, but both have a realistic wood grain feel.
Yes, I'll probably post a review for 'verryberrysticker', commending them on a good product. This specific pattern has almost 900 5 star reviews, and I can see why. This specific pattern is their "Reclaimed Wood Distressed Wood Panel Wood Grain Self-Adhesive Peel-Stick Wallpaper (VBS304)."
As I said, the part that scared me was I didn't realize I bought WALLPAPER. Hey, it works. Don't know til ya try.
I hope everyone enjoys this 7th day. Thanks again- I'll post pictures of the final wrap as well, of course!
I must stop this accidental lie before it spirals any more. I bought the wood look from two brands- Vvivid and 'VeryBerrySticker'. Vvivid did not have the actual reclaimed wood look- the closest they had was 'light teak'- which I did buy, and does look/feel awesome! This look is from the latter of the two companies. However, I will be using the Vvivid 'light teak' for other speakers in the future. Honestly the Vvivid material feels even more wood-like than this one, but both have a realistic wood grain feel.
Yes, I'll probably post a review for 'verryberrysticker', commending them on a good product. This specific pattern has almost 900 5 star reviews, and I can see why. This specific pattern is their "Reclaimed Wood Distressed Wood Panel Wood Grain Self-Adhesive Peel-Stick Wallpaper (VBS304)."
As I said, the part that scared me was I didn't realize I bought WALLPAPER. Hey, it works. Don't know til ya try.
I hope everyone enjoys this 7th day. Thanks again- I'll post pictures of the final wrap as well, of course!
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I don't think they know it works either.
Quote - 'Self Adhesive Vinyl, Can be applied to the majority of flat surfaces'.
Quote - 'Self Adhesive Vinyl, Can be applied to the majority of flat surfaces'.
Completed Wrap
As promised, completed wrap. Now on to building a 3rd for the center channel in my living room.
Have a great weekend!
As promised, completed wrap. Now on to building a 3rd for the center channel in my living room.
Have a great weekend!
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Hi disturbed!
I was just thinking about another way to form the woofer recess.
Maybe take an inverted form made of mdf or baltic birch that is exactly the dimensions of the recess and put a handle on the rear, then put it in the oven at 220°f for 30 minutes.
Pull it out with an oven mitt and immediately set it on the vinyl over the recessed hole and let it sink down to form the vinyl. Let the form cool then pull it out and cut out the unwanted piece.
I do like the end result of your work. Looks great and i cannot see the "strategic slices" , i am only offering up an idea.
I suggest this because awhile ago i thought about how to do this with clear or coloured plexiglass to make waveguides using a heat box and blowing the output of a heat gun into the box and letting the form push the plexi into the heat box.
Kind of like vacuum forming but without the vacuum.
Of course the heat from the gun would be regulated to not exceed the materials melt point , but enough to cause proper deformation.
I was just thinking about another way to form the woofer recess.
Maybe take an inverted form made of mdf or baltic birch that is exactly the dimensions of the recess and put a handle on the rear, then put it in the oven at 220°f for 30 minutes.
Pull it out with an oven mitt and immediately set it on the vinyl over the recessed hole and let it sink down to form the vinyl. Let the form cool then pull it out and cut out the unwanted piece.
I do like the end result of your work. Looks great and i cannot see the "strategic slices" , i am only offering up an idea.
I suggest this because awhile ago i thought about how to do this with clear or coloured plexiglass to make waveguides using a heat box and blowing the output of a heat gun into the box and letting the form push the plexi into the heat box.
Kind of like vacuum forming but without the vacuum.
Of course the heat from the gun would be regulated to not exceed the materials melt point , but enough to cause proper deformation.
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That's a pretty neat idea, Top. I'd have to either buy inverse corner round bits (I know they have a name lol) or actually pour a mold.
The only trepidation I have is the natural shrinking/swelling of wood and how the imperfectness would impact the setting process. I would imagine as long as it isn't too extreme of a difference +/- you could smooth out any imperfections with a heat gun.
Thanks!
The only trepidation I have is the natural shrinking/swelling of wood and how the imperfectness would impact the setting process. I would imagine as long as it isn't too extreme of a difference +/- you could smooth out any imperfections with a heat gun.
Thanks!
Pour a mould is a great idea! Then you wouldn't have to route or turn the piece on a lathe and would follow all imperfections.
Maybe plaster of paris once set up or quick set concrete.
Thanks man! That will help when i finally get around to those wave guides.
Have a good one!
Maybe plaster of paris once set up or quick set concrete.
Thanks man! That will help when i finally get around to those wave guides.
Have a good one!
You have just tripled your cabinet value.
Fender made custom amplifier and guitar versions out of recycled Hollywood Bowl seats, no kidding, and sells them at 3X or 4X "regular" version price:
straight from:
Fender made custom amplifier and guitar versions out of recycled Hollywood Bowl seats, no kidding, and sells them at 3X or 4X "regular" version price:
straight from: