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Good fix-- Have you scratched the wood on your Cornwall IVs?

In the spring, I noticed that I had somehow lightly scratched the lovely walnut wood on one of my Cornwall IVs.  I was incredulous as I baby these things and excellent take care of my stuff.  Then, this summer, I noticed a few other scratches on the other speaker.  UGH!!!

When examining the wood, it looks like the finish is very minimal in application. The grain is pretty high up and open.  To figure out what was going on I had to do a test scratch with something soft to see what it is I'm dealing with.  Wouldn't you know it?  I could scratch the finish with a fingernail or a record cleaner handle, and so on.  Yikes.  These things are way sensitive. 

So, I tried a product line that I've used before and got very lucky that it worked perfectly.  I used Howard's Restore a Finish in Dark Walnut (my CWIVs are just Walnut and do not appear dark), and after it was dry (they recommend only 30 minutes; I waited an hour) I applied Howard's Feed & Wax. 

Both of these products go on easily with no staining, no brushes, etc.  I took a bit of a gamble in trying them, as you really never know with wood until you experiment.  I didn't even have to use 0000 very fine steel wool when applying the restorer, as recommended for scratches by the manufacturer.  

This was an easy job.  Total time was 20 minutes for the restorer and a good 10 minutes for the Feed & Wax.  The finish looks no different than brand new in tone, all scratches are completely gone, and the finish has a bit more protection now.  

I've seen folks on the Klipsch forums talking about putting poly urethane on them, which would not be a bad idea yet I didn't want to commit to changing the finish right now.

At any rate, if you have this wonderful speaker this process should work wonders for you as it did me. 
128x128jbhiller
17 responses Add your response
tvad
11,620 posts
 
Good job. Thanks for the helpful post.
jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller OP
1,403 posts
 
thank you tvad!  I should've taken before and after photos.  
corelli
976 posts
 
Good information.  Thanks for that.

Polyurethane finishes provide good protection from these events.  I have used Minwax Polyurethane Rub on finish several times in satin.  It provides great protection but will change the appearance of the finish.  If you use 1-2 coats, it will look satin and be smooth.  As you increase the coats, it can look more like a semi- gloss.  But you get greater protection.  (just like audio, there is always a trade off).  

In any event, I have been able to achieve a professional looking finish with this product.  The key is ultra fine sanding between coats and application of smooth, fairly thin coats.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,385 posts
 
Good information.  I'm actually thinking of selling my JBL L100 Classic speakers and SVS sub and get a pair of the Cornwall IV.  I understand they are going up in price in September
justjames72's avatar
justjames72
66 posts
 
@stereo5 Why are you selling?
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 
Good information. I'm actually thinking of selling my JBL L100 Classic speakers and SVS sub and get a pair of the Cornwall IV. I understand they are going up in price in September

You've got six days.............
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
The finish Klipsch uses on the Heritage series is just oil. You can bring refinish them any time with Watco danish oil.

You can give them a very light sanding with 400 grit stearated silicon-carbide paper on a wood block being super careful at the edges and corners or you will go through the veneer. A good restorer could sand them a dozen times without going through the veneer. This will remove light scratches. Deep scratches you have to fill first. Then you wipe on the Watco with a clean rag, let it sit for 20 minutes then wipe it off with another clean rag briskly. If you want a little more gloss and protection you can repeat the Watco (no sanding!) at two week intervals until you are happy with the results. Watco is very slow drying taking up to 30 days to cure entirely. You can handle them in 24 hours. 
Oily rags have been known to combust spontaneously. I soak them in water and throw them into a galvanized bucket outside for a week. Then they are perfectly safe.  
ebm
9,311 posts
 
This  very sad.
jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller OP
1,403 posts
 
@mijostyn,  Good intel.  I think my scratches were so superficial that they just easily vanished using a no-sanding method. 

I think Klipsch should have a better manual.  They should explain how to care for the loudspeaker's finish.  I believe Tannoy does this and they make recommendation on oils, waxes and sealers. but I might be wrong. I much prefer the furniture grade wood cabinet on these speakers than the modern designs I've owned with glossy, space age finishes.  These blend into the domestic environment in a certain way that is pleasing to some design profiles.

My CWIVs look good as new--if not better. It's good to know there is a fix, it is easy, and it restores things perfectly to new. 

@ebm,  can you please tell us what you are trying to say in a complete sentence?  I'm assuming you are saying this discussion is sad.  How positive of you if that's the case.  It's not sad. Instead, it's informative. And, no one should fault Klipsch (other than failing to explain how to care for their furniture grade cabinets).  But please, if you have something to say or offer, GO FOR IT.  Contrarian views are welcome.  Terse, childish criticism...not a crowd pleaser. 


stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,385 posts
 
As much as I would love to try the Cornwalls at their pre-price increase, there is no way to sell my JBL's and sub and order the Cornwalls before the end of August.   There is nothing wrong with the JBL and sub combo, I would like to try something different is all and Steve Guttenburg's review got me thinking.  To be honest, I am really kicking myself for selling the GE Triton Ones.  They were perfect in my office and no sub needed.  Sometimes its best to leave well enough alone.
jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller OP
1,403 posts
 
@stereo5 , I see nothing wrong with going back to the Golden Ears is you enjoyed them.  
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,385 posts
 
@jbhiller 


I gave the speakers away for I think $2200 or close to that.  It would cost me more to buy another pair.  This is the third time in my 50+ years that I let a pair of speakers I really loved, get away.  Some people never learn.

I would like to try the Cornwall IV though.  I have our daughters wedding coming up in October, postponed from last year so I will be having more expenses.   We shall see.
zlone
657 posts
 
Almond scratch repair sticks are pretty magical. I have used one for a number of different finishes and they do the trick. Used to own a set of Klipsch and guess it would work well on that oil finish. Not perfect, but a nice quick fix. 
kfscoll
36 posts
 
I noticed a couple of minor shipping scratches on my CW IVs too.  Unfortunately my speakers are black ash which is definitely not an oil finish and is likely a matte lacquer.  I've tried to touch up one or two minor nicks on the front edge banding using a furniture crayon but wiping the excess wax off creates a moderately glossy spot that stands out from the matte finish.  Fortunately my nicks are confined to the edge banding so the difference in sheen of the repairs isn't really noticeable, but I wouldn't want to use this method to fix any scratches on the top or sides of the speakers.

While we're griping, I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to make the CW IV's risers out of MDF.  One of mine was slightly crunched upon receipt, but even so, just sliding the speakers across carpet will likely cause the risers to chip and flake at the edges.  My fix for this was to build new risers out of solid wood.  I haven't installed them yet since I'll have to use the existing risers as templates to drill the mounting holes prior to painting them.  Besides, my speakers sit on carpet so the carpet puffs up above the bottom edge of the riser and masks edge damage.  However, I would've much preferred the old-style veneer risers that would've held up better.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 
I would stay away from any dealer who doesn’t ship these by freight and strapped to a pallet.


ericsch
752 posts
 
For flat black speaker scratches, spray a piece of cardboard with flat black paint. Then use a toothpick or auto touch up brush to fill the scratches.
bjesien
1,283 posts
 
I saw a Kevin Deal video that said there is no increase in price. Wonder if the talk of an increase was a marketing technique to drive sales?
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