How to Remove the Old Glue From the Cone of a Foam Speaker

Speakers can be refurbished for optimal performance.

As speakers age, their components can deteriorate and affect their performance. A common component, most often affected by age, is the foam surrounds of the speaker cone. Old surrounds can be removed and replaced, to obtain improved speaker performance.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Utility knife
• Rubbing alcohol
• Rag

Instructions

1. Place the speaker on a flat surface so the woofer faces up. Locate the screws around the edge of the woofer, which hold it to the speaker cabinet. Remove each screw, using a screwdriver. Place the screws aside.

2. Lift the woofer out of the speaker cabinet. If the woofer does not want to release from the cabinet, insert the edge of a utility knife under the rim of the woofer, and gently slide it around the exterior to separate it from the cabinet.

3. Grasp a section of the foam and try to pull it from the cone. The foam may disintegrate when pinched, or rip repeatedly if removed in this way. If so, remove all you can with this method and proceed.

4. Scrape off any remaining foam with the edge of a utility knife. Scrape off one layer at a time, to avoid damaging the underlying parts of the cone. Brush all the debris from the top of the cone.

5. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a rag. Rub the edges of the cone with the rag until all the glue residue is removed. Add more alcohol as necessary. The alcohol evaporates if you use it for a prolonged amount of time.

Tips & Warnings

• There is a layer of foam on top of the basket of speakers. It may be necessary to remove and replace this foam during the restoration process. Basket foam can be removed with the same process as the cone foam, but you need to access it by removing the paper or cork gasket. Insert the edge of a utility knife under the edge of the gasket, and slide it around the exterior of the gasket to release it from the underlying foam.

• Replacement foam and a replacement gasket can be ordered based on the circumference of your core and basket.

• Exercise caution when removing the woofer from the cabinet, separating the gasket from the foam, and removing the foam from the core and basket. If you damage the basket or cone with as utility knife, the speaker may not be repairable.

References

• Decware: Audiophile Speaker Repair
• Parts Express: Foam Surround Replacement Kits Instructions