Duratex and MDF finishing questions

[Psycoacoustics]

Hi All, I've decided on a Duratex finish for my Slant 6's and have a few questions.

Where is the best place to buy Duratex? Do I prime first? If so with what?

What is the BEST way to seal the edges? I believe I remember reading to just use Titebond. Do I use it straight? Or watered down? I also remember someone said to use Shelac. If anyone can be more specific I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Mark

[isaeagle4031]

Re: Duratex and MDF finishing questions

Hit up bkeane1259. He has used the duratex quite a bit with excellent results.

[mattp]

Re: Duratex and MDF finishing questions

I've used it on quite a few projects. I buy it from www.acrytech.com, I don't know if thats the only place you can get it or not. In my experience, edge sealing or priming is not required with this stuff. I've never sealed any edges when I use it and I have a full set of PA speakers (built with MDF mind you) that have lived in someones garage for about 6 months in the Ohio weather with no problems. I use a standard foam roller for the first coat. It will appear a little thin but I use a textured roller also purchased from Acrytech for the second coat. It goes on THICK and leaves a very nice textured finish. I usually make quite a few passes to get it as even as possible and one gallon will go a very long way. I covered two 18" cabs, two dual 12" mains and a small portable boombox with two coats each and I used barely more than half a gallon. I re-used the textured roller 4 times, the stuff is incredible and washes out of the roller very easily. It dries in a few hours and is fully cured in a few days, and there is virtually no smell. It cures rock hard and is very durable. If the speakers will be used or moved often I would recommend three coats, two with the foam roller and the final textured "thick" coat as the last. I personally LOVE Duratex.

[Psycoacoustics]

Re: Duratex and MDF finishing questions

Thanks MattP, sounds easy enough. Mark

[GIS_PHAN]

Re: Duratex and MDF finishing questions

I've had good luck from store

http://www.speakerhardware.com/categories.php?cat=10

[Face]

Re: Duratex and MDF finishing questions

If you want a smoother finish and have a wide surface to cover and don't want any visible seams, be sure to pick up a roller that's the same width, or wider than your cabinet. I picked up some 18" rollers for the 14.5" wide cabinets that I painted.

[mattp]

Re: Duratex and MDF finishing questions

If you want a smoother finish and have a wide surface to cover and don't want any visible seams, be sure to pick up a roller that's the same width, or wider than your cabinet. I picked up some 18" rollers for the 14.5" wide cabinets that I painted.

+1

It's pretty easy to hide the roller "edges" with this stuff on larger surfaces but Face is right, they will be invincible with a roller that is wider than the cabinet itself.

[Psycoacoustics]

Re: Duratex and MDF finishing questions

Hey guys,,,, my cabs are 12x10.5x36. Do you think a couple of pints would be enough?

[john trials]

Re: Duratex and MDF finishing questions

https://store.acrytech.com/files/Applying-DuraTex.pdf

This stuff seems like a great product for finishing speakers! I hate all the edge sealing of MDF. No edge sealing, no primer...superb! Acry-Tech even has a $19.95 trial size!!!

[mattp]

Re: Duratex and MDF finishing questions

Hey guys,,,, my cabs are 12x10.5x36. Do you think a couple of pints would be enough?

I would get three pints to be on the safe side, you will probably have some left over. I don't think they offer it in a half gallon but that would be convenient.

[Psycoacoustics]

Re: Duratex and MDF finishing questions

3 pints it is! Thanks, Mark

[joeybutts]

Re: Duratex and MDF finishing questions

great stuff. Will turn out however you want it to. Requires little prepwork (besides smoothness). I use a firm roller with little to no nap, three coats minimum, light sand between coats and it comes out with justttttttttttttttttttt a little texture but still quite smooth.

Easiest finish besides naked.

[Psycoacoustics]

Re: Duratex and MDF finishing questions

great stuff. Will turn out however you want it to. Requires little prepwork (besides smoothness). I use a firm roller with little to no nap, three coats minimum, light sand between coats and it comes out with justttttttttttttttttttt a little texture but still quite smooth.

Easiest finish besides naked.

Cool! Although, I do like "Naked" just not on my speakers!;)

[WernerM]

Re: Duratex and MDF finishing questions

Man I may have to try this stuff for my build too.

[bkeane1259]

Re: Duratex and MDF finishing questions

Duratex is da bomb. You should buy more than you need because you'll like it so much you will use it again sometime. I agree with the above comments about being able to control the texture. You can get an aggressive high-build texture with a nappy roller or a fairly smooth texture with a sponge roller. I'd recommend you sand the first coat as it will make your minor cabinet imperfections disappear. Then your second coat will make your baffle/cabinet look like perfection. Just one other tidbit of advice: If you use Bondo on your cabinets, you will need multiple Duratex coats over that area, and sanding in between helps a lot. Duratex doesn’t like Bondo, but it will work just fine with a couple coats.

Duratex porn for your viewing pleasure.....