Spray paint of choice for painting metal speaker grilles?

[Jboulukos]

Which paints do you prefer to use for the speaker grilles? Also should a primer be applied first?

 

[Reli]

I prefer satin black, or even flat black with 1-2 coats of clear, because regular gloss black reflects too much light, hiding the speaker behind it.

 

[Fatdog]

I put some dark gunmetal gray on a Sanyo M-X720 I had a long time ago. It looked fantastic when the sunlight hit it just right. It was something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-EPAE10800-Premium-Gunmetal-Fluid_Ounces/dp/B07CZCLDLT/ref=pd_lpo_263_img_0/139-3953455-9131305?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07CZCLDLT&pd_rd_r=3881c326-7911-4e0a-8464-2cebbbb0a34c&pd_rd_w=NRVGO&pd_rd_wg=cHv2m&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=BA4T2GHET4H08TDK9FJN&psc=1&refRID=BA4T2GHET4H08TDK9FJN

 

[Jboulukos]

I put some dark gunmetal gray on a Sanyo M-X720 I had a long time ago. It looked fantastic when the sunlight hit it just right. It was something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-EPAE10800-Premium-Gunmetal-Fluid_Ounces/dp/B07CZCLDLT/ref=pd_lpo_263_img_0/139-3953455-9131305?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07CZCLDLT&pd_rd_r=3881c326-7911-4e0a-8464-2cebbbb0a34c&pd_rd_w=NRVGO&pd_rd_wg=cHv2m&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=BA4T2GHET4H08TDK9FJN&psc=1&refRID=BA4T2GHET4H08TDK9FJN

Yeah, it looks like the original color was a gunmetal type color. I have a flat black and a clear coat that I’m going to try.

 

[Jboulukos]

I wire brushed the grille pretty good. It’s ready for paint.

 

[Jboulukos]

I prefer satin black, or even flat black with 1-2 coats of clear, because regular gloss black reflects too much light, hiding the speaker behind it.

I’m going to try your recommendation. I have a flat black and a clear ready. Somewhere on the forum I read that black grilles show the speaker more so than other colors. This particular model Sanyo m-x650 has a lot of grille material on the face. So I’d like to be able to show the underneath area as much as I can. Thanks again for the input.

 

[Reli]

Yeah I think I was the one who said that. Silver grills look good on some boxes, especially the Fisher PH-492, but on most boxes I prefer black because I want to see everything behind the grills.

 

[docs]

I've had excellent results following this process.
1. soak for 2 hours in citric acid
2. use a tooth brush or very light wet and dry (800) to smooth any blemishes
3. wash with soap under tap and allow to dry
4. use a metal primer to apply even coat (have a tooth pick at the ready in case you get a heavier spot to push through the grill holes) (I say use metal and not plastic or other primer because I'e had best results using this)
5. allow to dry
6. lightly dry sand the surface to cut it slightly for top coat (800 or 1000)
7. apply top coat, I use BMW black sapphire which is for metal surfaces
8. either clear coat or apply a second top coat the day after

 

[Fatdog]

BMW black sapphire? You have really good taste in paint. Do you happen to have a car with that paint on it?

 

[Reli]

Citric acid? You mean like bottled lemon juice? Interesting!
One thing I like to do is wipe them down with rubbing alcohol after the sanding and washing process, to displace water and prevent it from rusting the grills.

 

[docs]

BMW yes but not black sadly
This citric acid I use comes in a box and is very cheap. As its powder I just mix it in with warm water and leave the grills to sit. This gets rid of all rust spots.

 

[docs]

Looks like this, you might have an alternative brand but it works very well on rust spots in particular and does not damage any part of the metal.

 

[Jboulukos]

 

[Fatdog]

That looks great, JB!

 

[docs]

Yeh looking good!

 

[Jboulukos]

Ok last shots....before and after. The grille was actually rusty and brittle, 2 of the tabs from the bottom broke off.

 

[docs]

Night and day.
I personally really like this model, so I’m happy you put all the worthwhile effort in to this.
Great job.

 

[Fatdog]

Dude, that doesn't even look like the same boombox! How did you restore the silver casing?

 

[Radio raheem]

Great restore. another one saved

 

[Jboulukos]

Dude, that doesn't even look like the same boombox! How did you restore the silver casing?

Thanks for asking. Yeah, a big transformation. There was adhesive residue from stickers and a bunch of roaches, dust and dirt. I call it “farm-fresh.” I took it all apart, my first time with a boom box, and scrubbed it inside and out with a toothbrush and watered down dish soap. Passing over the case with the brush 2, 3 sometimes 4 times. The adhesive residue, stickers and small round hardened wax-like dots were removed with a wooden toothpick which worked extremely well. I think in a way the thick coat of dust on the silver casing protected it over the years.