Sealing MDF speaker adapters - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Moriartii · 01-06-2011, 12:04 PM

I wanted to pass this along as we now have some nice pieces coming to market made out of MDF - speaker adapters.

I have researched the cost of HDPE sheets and while these would be ideal taking the time to actuall fabricate and machine the adapters is cost prohibitive compared to buying a prefabed mdf adapter.

The benefit of MDF is it is stable, dense and easy to use. The drawback is if it gets wet it swells and prolonged exposure it falls apart.

A couple of very easy ways to waterproof mdf are:

*Titebond glue and water mixed together and brushed on in several light coats. You can use this to seal seems in speaker enclosures as well.

*Polyester LAMINATING resin thinned with either M.E.K. acetone or styrene monomer for the first 2-3 coats. Styrene is the preferred thinner. Apply in light coats to allow it to really soak in. I believe it is one part one part resin, three parts styrene mixed with hardener as if you were mixing all four parts resin. Once dry you can paint.

*Rubberized coating. Like a bed liner type spray.

*Kilz primer followed paint of your choice.

I hope this helps as this is research I have found.

Cheers
K

xxlbeerz · 01-06-2011, 12:13 PM

I just put a piece of two sided dynamat stuff between the ring and metal and between the speaker and the ring. I can't remember which brand it is, but it has adhesive on both sides.

I've put MDF rings in doors before with this method and never had an issue with sealing or degradation. The only issue is that at time of removal the ring will fall apart when prying, but I figure they're inexpensive and if you're removing them you're probably getting rid of the car anyway.

Steve@Subthump · 01-06-2011, 01:23 PM

Have not heard of two sided deadener. Would be interested in knowing what brand it is..

xxlbeerz · 01-06-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve@********

Have not heard of two sided deadener. Would be interested in knowing what brand it is..

I've had it forever, but it's something like this:
http://www.secondskinaudio.com/noise...xury-liner.php

I had a big system in a truck, and took out the whole interior to sound deaden. It's made to put on the floorboard, and then you stick foam to the other side to kill road noise.

Hendrix-Engineering · 01-06-2011, 09:18 PM

Well im sure bringing this up will help many people that would just put these in as is,humidity and sweating is what will do the mdf in,it doesnt take a water leak.....Nice tips...i hope by raising the question i helped some of the guys out.....

xxlbeerz · 01-07-2011, 02:35 PM

I forgot, mine look like they came painted black. Is this not the norm?

01-06-2011, 12:04 PM	#1
Moriartii Drives: 11 IOM 2SS/RS M6 w/Hurst Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 1,269	Sealing MDF speaker adapters I wanted to pass this along as we now have some nice pieces coming to market made out of MDF - speaker adapters. I have researched the cost of HDPE sheets and while these would be ideal taking the time to actuall fabricate and machine the adapters is cost prohibitive compared to buying a prefabed mdf adapter. The benefit of MDF is it is stable, dense and easy to use. The drawback is if it gets wet it swells and prolonged exposure it falls apart. A couple of very easy ways to waterproof mdf are: Titebond glue and water mixed together and brushed on in several light coats. You can use this to seal seems in speaker enclosures as well. Polyester LAMINATING resin thinned with either M.E.K. acetone or styrene monomer for the first 2-3 coats. Styrene is the preferred thinner. Apply in light coats to allow it to really soak in. I believe it is one part one part resin, three parts styrene mixed with hardener as if you were mixing all four parts resin. Once dry you can paint. Rubberized coating. Like a bed liner type spray. Kilz primer followed paint of your choice. I hope this helps as this is research I have found. Cheers K Last edited by Moriartii; 01-06-2011 at 12:24 PM.

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01-06-2011, 12:13 PM	#2
xxlbeerz Drives: 2010 Black on Black Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 533	I just put a piece of two sided dynamat stuff between the ring and metal and between the speaker and the ring. I can't remember which brand it is, but it has adhesive on both sides. I've put MDF rings in doors before with this method and never had an issue with sealing or degradation. The only issue is that at time of removal the ring will fall apart when prying, but I figure they're inexpensive and if you're removing them you're probably getting rid of the car anyway.

01-06-2011, 01:23 PM	#3
Steve@Subthump Account Suspended Drives: 2011 2SS IOM Vert Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,096	Have not heard of two sided deadener. Would be interested in knowing what brand it is..

01-06-2011, 09:18 PM	#5
Hendrix-Engineering Account Suspended Drives: First 9 inch-12 bolt IRS Camaro Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nc Posts: 1,835	Well im sure bringing this up will help many people that would just put these in as is,humidity and sweating is what will do the mdf in,it doesnt take a water leak.....Nice tips...i hope by raising the question i helped some of the guys out.....

01-07-2011, 02:35 PM	#6
xxlbeerz Drives: 2010 Black on Black Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 533	I forgot, mine look like they came painted black. Is this not the norm?