Painting KEF R6 Meta Cabinet

[MrPotatoHead]

There are some R6 Meta speakers for sale for less than $1000 that have cosmetic damage to the cabinets. I'd be game for removing the drivers and repairing the damage and refinishing the cabinets. I understand the rings around the drivers snap off to reveal the mounting screws which seems pretty straightforward.

Any hidden challenges?

 

[DVDdoug]

I understand the rings around the drivers snap off to reveal the mounting screws which seems pretty straightforward.

I don't know anything about those speakers but I've got some non-marring trim removal tools like this plus another kit of smaller tools for help opening things like cell phones and laptops. But assuming you normally leave the grill on and that you're going to repaint it anyway, some additional scratches may not be a problem, or you may be able to remove them without scratching... MAYBE they come off without tools...



...For the last few speakers I've built, I covered them with leather-look vinyl (like they use on guitar amplifiers). It's fairly cheap and easy and a bit more rugged than paint or a normal wood finish. My latest speakers are covered in brown which IMO looks OK in in my living room, but some people might not like the look and you probably want all of your speakers to match. In the past I've used black, white, and once another color. The white ones had black grills so they had a "dramatic modern" look.

 

[Ssss]

To remove the trim around the drivers, use gaffer tape to make tabs to pull the trim off with. I used this method to remove a driver from my LS50, it prevents any potential for damage to the trim or baffle from prying.

 

[3125b]

Suction cups might potentially be an option as well.
When replacing the rings, make sure to seat them properly. And whatever finish you apply, it musn't add much thickness to the front of the speaker cabinet around the drivers, any sort of wrap would be a bad idea.

 

[MrPotatoHead]

All great tips! Thanks.

 

[tineared]

Do all of your sanding outdoors

 

[MrPotatoHead]

Do all of your sanding outdoors

That's good advice but I have a dust collection system and a respirator.

 

[tineared]

That's good advice but I have a dust collection system and a respirator.

So do I, but I still do serious sanding and routing outdoors.
Sanding and routing dust gets everywhere, whether you can see it or not.
The wife will see it...