Anyone Painted an R50?

I made the recommendation on another thread, and I have painted speakers before, but not the R50's. Just do a very good job of masking off the areas you don't want to paint and use several light spray coats, allowing each to dry throughly before applying the next. Continue applying coats of paint until the results meet your expectations. Dust is your enemy, don't paint in a dirty environment or outside where the wind can blow dust and pollen into your wet paint.


If you don't want to do it yourself, call around to furniture and/or auto paint shops and ask for an estimate. But if you are careful and take your time, you should not have a problem.


Besides, the front grills are black, only the top and sides of the enclosures have the cherry veneer.......try them and the wifey and decorating person may actually like them the way they are. Stranger things have happened....

I have painted my cherry r50's black. If you are interested in more info, I can look at the exact paint I used from Lowes (or maybe Home Depot) since I still have the can with me. It was not a flat paint, but rather, the next thing up. I think satin? At any rate, I had to mask plenty, and it turned out very nice. The POLK emblem at the bottom is easy to pry out, and then stick back on, without any possible damage.


They turned out a bit 'textured', in that you can notice it when you slide your hand on the surface. Visually, you can't really tell, and it look uniform and smooth.


My room is very dark, so defects in the paint job are easy to forgive, mind you.



Quote:
Originally Posted by gnolivos /forum/post/12811568


I have painted my cherry r50's black. If you are interested in more info, I can look at the exact paint I used from Lowes (or maybe Home Depot) since I still have the can with me. It was not a flat paint, but rather, the next thing up. I think satin? At any rate, I had to mask plenty, and it turned out very nice. The POLK emblem at the bottom is easy to pry out, and then stick back on, without any possible damage.


They turned out a bit 'textured', in that you can notice it when you slide your hand on the surface. Visually, you can't really tell, and it look uniform and smooth.


My room is very dark, so defects in the paint job are easy to forgive, mind you.

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I would be interested to know which paint you used. Do you have any pictures?


I was wondering this same thing. Cherry R50s were the only thing available on Frys.com so I ordered them because of their ratings, despite the fact that all my other speakers are black. I do, however, have a cherry stand so I will see how it looks when they arrive. (they shipped today!)


Before, I was thinking about maybe covering them with black cloth or maybe even felt. I don't know yet though.

Thanks for the replies. I am glad to hear that the logo was easy to remove, that was one of my concerns. I also have a dark room where the speakers will go so that will help. As the other poster asked, please post the paint you used that would be helpful.


Did you need to paint around the entire front of the speaker? I thought that possibly this could be avoided because it was covered but also wondered if the cherry would show through. I am guessing you did because that would be where most of the masking was probably done.


Mike

I did not paint the entire speakers... I masked and covered a 'rectangle' in the front where the speakers baffles are, because those are covered by a black grill anyway. Saves a lot of hassle, and you can't tell at all.


I used the paint:

Rustoleum Professional, High Performance Enamel, Semi Gloss Black 239107

Was that spray paint? I was actually thinking I would use a little roller.


Mike

Spray paint should give you a smoother finish and is prob the easier way to go anyway. Also make sure to scuff the surface a bit before you paint to make sure that the paint has something to cling to.



Quote:
Originally Posted by mbartenhagen /forum/post/12807574


In order to please my wife and the decorator I need to have black speakers and because of the price difference and availabilty of cherry R50 speakers I am considering purchasing the cherry and painting them. Has anyone done this? Do you think it would work?


Mike

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OH this just twists my fur. A decorator wants to paint a piece of furniture. A piece of furniture someone spent hours and hours on to give it a beautiful cherry finish, and has convinced your mrs that this is the way to go! I'd kick this decorator right out of the house! Better yet tell the decorator your going to take a can of Krylon to her car, "it will look beatiful" when your done!


Truth is marching on



http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=966215

Yes, spray paint is what I used. No need to scuff!

I walked into Fry's yesterday and bought their 2 black R50 display models for $50 each. I was a pretty happy camper. Do you have a Fry's near you?



Quote:
Originally Posted by vegasato /forum/post/12822163


I walked into Fry's yesterday and bought their 2 black R50 display models for $50 each. I was a pretty happy camper. Do you have a Fry's near you?

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I am in Nebraska...I don't think there is a Fry's anywhere even close to me. I ended up buying the cherry R50s and will paint them when they arrive. At 150.00 for the pair I am happy with the purchase.


Mike