Installation Instructions
Step 2: Slice Damaged Surround
Using your razor knife, carefully slice down the middle of the damaged surround all the way around the speaker. Refer to Figure 1 in the accompanying image.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 1, illustrating the initial cut into the old foam surround.
Step 3: Peel Damaged Surround
Slowly and carefully peel the damaged surround from the cone. Be especially careful not to damage the cone. Refer to Figure 2 in the accompanying image.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 2, demonstrating the careful removal of the old foam surround from the speaker cone.
Step 4: Remove Gasket
Slip the point of your razor knife between the gasket and the speaker frame. Apply pressure and slowly turn the speaker to cut the gasket away from the frame. You must be very careful to salvage the gasket to reuse it later. NEVER pull the blade toward you. Carefully remove the gasket and set it aside to reuse later. Refer to Figure 3 in the accompanying image.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 3, illustrating the technique for detaching the speaker gasket.
Step 5: Remove Foam Residue from Frame
Using a chisel or your razor knife, remove any and all foam residue from the speaker frame. You don't necessarily have to remove all of the glue residue, but you MUST remove ALL of the foam residue. Refer to Figure 4 in the accompanying image.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 4, demonstrating the removal of foam residue from the speaker frame.
Step 6: Apply Rubbing Alcohol to Cone Edge
Using a cotton swab, apply rubbing alcohol to foam and glue residue around the edge of the cone. Don't be afraid to saturate the cone edge if it is made of poly; be more careful with a paper cone. Allow to soak for 1-2 minutes. Refer to Figure 5 in the accompanying image.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 5, illustrating the application of rubbing alcohol to the speaker cone edge.
Step 7: Scrape Away All Foam Residue from Cone
Using your thumbnail, or a razor blade held perpendicular to the surface, scrape away all foam residue. Be VERY careful not to damage the cone. Especially if you saturated it in the previous step. While scraping, use your other hand to gently provide additional support from underneath the edge of the cone. Refer to Figure 6 in the accompanying image.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 6, demonstrating the careful removal of remaining foam residue from the speaker cone.
Step 8: Wipe Down Cone and Frame
Use a paper towel or a soft cotton rag dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently do a finishing wipe-down of the cone edge and speaker frame. Allow the cone and frame to dry completely. Refer to Figure 7 in the accompanying image.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 7, illustrating the final cleaning of the speaker cone and frame with rubbing alcohol.
Step 9: Place New Foam Surround Upside Down
Place the new foam surround in place upside down to test fit. Use your fingers to move the cone into place and make a visual note of how the new surround will lie in relation to the cone. Refer to Figure 8 in the accompanying image. Read ahead before continuing because once you hit the next step there is no turning back.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 8, demonstrating the initial test fit of the new foam surround.
Step 10: Apply Adhesive to Inner Flange
Read instructions included with your adhesive, and move to a well-ventilated area prior to continuing. With the surround still in place upside down, carefully apply a small bead of adhesive to the innermost flange/lip of the surround. Use the bottle tip to evenly spread adhesive around the inner flange/lip as it is applied. Allow adhesive to breathe for a few seconds. Refer to Figure 9 in the accompanying image.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 9, illustrating the application of adhesive to the inner edge of the foam surround.
Step 11: Flip and Lay Surround in Place
After allowing your adhesive to breathe, carefully pick up your surround, flip it right side up, and carefully lay it in place. Be sure to lay it in place correctly the first time, as it will begin to stick immediately. Refer to Figure 10 in the accompanying image.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 10, demonstrating the precise placement of the new foam surround onto the speaker cone.
Step 12: Press Surround into Place
With the new surround properly placed, use your finger, the butt end of a sharpie, or something similar to gently press the surround into place. Slowly trace your way around the edge to help the adhesive bond to take. Carefully repeat this step 3-4 times over the next 10 minutes. Refer to Figure 11 in the accompanying image.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 11, illustrating the process of pressing the foam surround for proper adhesion.
Step 13: Clean Up Excess Glue
Use a paper towel lightly dampened with warm water or nail polish remover to clean up extra glue residue before it dries, and then Take a 45-60 minute break...
Image: Instruction sheet showing the step for cleaning excess glue and indicating a required break.
Step 14: Apply Adhesive to Outer Edge
Now that your first adhesive application has cured a little bit, use the butt end of your sharpie to gently hold the outer edge of the surround away from the frame while you apply adhesive to the surface of the speaker frame where the surround will attach. Apply adhesive all the way around the frame. Allow surround to fall into place on the frame. Refer to Figure 12 in the accompanying image.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 12, illustrating the application of adhesive to the outer speaker frame for the surround.
Step 15: Center the Cone
This is PRIORITY #1. Use your fingers to apply pressure evenly to the center of the cone. Listen for any rubbing or scratching sounds from the voice coil as the cone flexes in and out. Adjust the cone side to side until the cone can be manipulated all the way in and out without any rubbing. Refer to Figure 13 in the accompanying image.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 13, demonstrating the critical step of centering the speaker cone.
Step 16: Press Surround into Place (Repeat)
As you did in Step 12, use your sharpie to press the surround gently into place on the frame. REPEAT STEP 15!! Refer to Figure 14 in the accompanying image.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 14, illustrating the repeated pressing of the surround onto the frame.
Step 17: Reattach Gasket
Apply adhesive to the underside of your original gasket, or a replacement if you purchased one. Align holes in the gasket with mounting holes in the frame, and set the gasket in place. Press the gasket in place. Refer to Figure 15 in the accompanying image.
Image: Instruction sheet showing Figure 15, depicting the reattachment of the speaker gasket.
Step 18: Final Gasket Press
Pick up the speaker and place it face down on a hard, level surface. This will allow the weight of the speaker to press the gasket permanently into place while the adhesive cures. This concludes the physical installation steps.