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[Jeff Lelko]

Greetings,

Can anyone recommend a foam product to install in my speaker grills for light-duty water protection?  I don't need anything that can withstand a hurricane or is meant for permanent outdoor use - just for keeping water off the drivers when a summer storm pops up while not growing mold. 

Thanks!

As an aside the speakers/subwoofers in question are non-powered and covered in the bedliner/urethane coating, thus they can tolerate mild rain exposure aside from water getting in the front grills.

[Tim McCulloch]

Greetings,

Can anyone recommend a foam product to install in my speaker grills for light-duty water protection?  I don't need anything that can withstand a hurricane or is meant for permanent outdoor use - just for keeping water off the drivers when a summer storm pops up while not growing mold. 

Thanks!

As an aside the speakers/subwoofers in question are non-powered and covered in the bedliner/urethane coating, thus they can tolerate mild rain exposure aside from water getting in the front grills.

Check with Undercover NYC; they make water-repellent, acoustically "not opaque" covers for all kinds of loudspeakers.

[Frank Czar]

I use 1/4" filter foam behind the grills from Grainger along with a speaker coating called "The Wet Look" on all the drivers. I sure it could be debated that you are adding weight to the cone but I cannot hear any sonic differences between coated and non-coated Tha Wet Look can be purchased from Parts Express.

[dave briar]

Check with Undercover NYC; they make water-repellent, acoustically "not opaque" covers for all kinds of loudspeakers.

+1 for UndercoverNYC’s acoustically-transparent material. Ingenious actually. We ordered covers for our FBTs and I tested the performance with a garden hose.  Very impressive.

[Jim McKeveny]

4ft x 6 ft sheets via Reliable Hardware, North Hollywood, CA.

[doug johnson2]

I got this from Amazon.  It is black, while most of the other foam I found was dark gray.  It took a while to get but, not as long as they estimated. https://tinyurl.com/8apx269j

[Brian Jojade]

Check with Undercover NYC; they make water-repellent, acoustically "not opaque" covers for all kinds of loudspeakers.

Undercover outdoor covers are amazing.  I use them for EVERY outdoor show.  I've got some that are a decade old now.

You can get them in white or black.  White is nice because it keeps the heat down during the summer.

I've had them go through some pretty nasty storms, and speakers are in perfect condition after that. 

[Ben Johnson]

I use 1/4" filter foam behind the grills from Grainger along with a speaker coating called "The Wet Look" on all the drivers. I sure it could be debated that you are adding weight to the cone but I cannot hear any sonic differences between coated and non-coated Tha Wet Look can be purchased from Parts Express.

Any chance I could get a link or part number to what you buy?  It could save me a bit of experimentation.

Thanks.

[Frank Czar]

Any chance I could get a link or part number to what you buy?  It could save me a bit of experimentation.

Thanks.

If you go to Ebay, Grainger has a store there. The foam I get is Air Handler 2EJZ3 Air Filter Foam 48 in x 25 ft x 1/4 in. Its $90.83 per roll w/free shipping.

[Ben Johnson]

If you go to Ebay, Grainger has a store there. The foam I get is Air Handler 2EJZ3 Air Filter Foam 48 in x 25 ft x 1/4 in. Its $90.83 per roll w/free shipping.

Thanks, I'll give it a shot.

[Dave Pluke]

I use 1/4" filter foam behind the grills from Grainger along with a speaker coating called "The Wet Look" on all the drivers.

Kinda wish that treatment didn't Look so Wet. I have used it on some wedge woofers and a couple of speakers that had spent too much time in the salt air on a cruise ship. Does a nice job, but it's SO SHINY.

As for Reticulated Speaker Grill Foam, that's one item that experienced supply chain issues before COVID-19. There are only a few factories producing foam and, as I was told, a critical chemical ingredient was in short supply. A quick search indicates that has been resolved.

Dave

[Jeff Lelko]

I appreciate everyone's input on this!  It's been a busy week/weekend so my apologies for not posting back sooner. 

The product from Granger looks about right.  I do prefer the true black foam over the dark grey though.  Regardless, what's the preferred technique to attach the foam to the grill?  I figured either spray or roll-on adhesive would be a good start but know that in the world of adhesives there's often a few right answers along with plenty of very wrong ones!  Thanks again!

[Dave Guilford]

I’ve never had good luck with spray.  The particles start to web thru the holes in the grille and it’s visible from the front , especially when it’s between the grille and you’re fresh dark foam.  Not to mention that it didn’t stick either. 

For years I’ve been waiting for someone else to figure it out bc I’m not making those mistakes again.

[Dave Pluke]

I’ve never had good luck with spray.  The particles start to web thru the holes in the grille and it’s visible from the front ,

Same experience here. Plus, it fails to dry clear.

Might try some black paint on the back side of the grill next time. No harm, no foul if it leaks through the grill holes.

Dave

[Jeff Lelko]

Same experience here. Plus, it fails to dry clear.

Same here as well which is why I’m trending towards a roll-on adhesive.  For putting foam inserts in road cases I’ve had good lucky with Barge Cement (the original and more health adverse recipe), but don’t think it’d be a good fit on foam this thin.

I definitely don’t want this to become a major ordeal as I’ve got enough DIY projects cooking already, but I want to do it right too.  Thanks again!

[Brian Jojade]

I’ve never had good luck with spray.  The particles start to web thru the holes in the grille and it’s visible from the front , especially when it’s between the grille and your fresh dark foam.  Not to mention that it didn’t stick either.

+1.  Spray on has proven to be a useless method to attach grill foam.

[David B Little]

Same here as well which is why I’m trending towards a roll-on adhesive.  For putting foam inserts in road cases I’ve had good lucky with Barge Cement (the original and more health adverse recipe), but don’t think it’d be a good fit on foam this thin.

I definitely don’t want this to become a major ordeal as I’ve got enough DIY projects cooking already, but I want to do it right too.  Thanks again!

When I was small scale manufacturing cases & custom grills a couple decades ago I used the same glue I used for laminate. I used spray grade Wilsonart 800 with foam rollers (any thinner contact adhesive will work). Takes a little practice but you can apply to the grill without a lot of bleed through on the holes as well as a light touch on the foam. My foam of choice was the 1/4" open cell air filter foam - sourced in bulk rolls from MSC Industrial Supply.

[Jim McKeveny]

I have noticed a move away from foam by most manufacturers. It eventually succumbs to UV and crumbles. Anyone have knowledge of the open-ish polyester fabric I see used now?

[John Halliburton]

I use 1/4" filter foam behind the grills from Grainger along with a speaker coating called "The Wet Look" on all the drivers. I sure it could be debated that you are adding weight to the cone but I cannot hear any sonic differences between coated and non-coated Tha Wet Look can be purchased from Parts Express.

I've used Foam Factory, based in the Detroit area, for years. All sorts of foam products too.

1/4" reticulated filter foam, 20-30ppi.

https://www.thefoamfactory.com/

Best regards,
John

[John Halliburton]

If you go to Ebay, Grainger has a store there. The foam I get is Air Handler 2EJZ3 Air Filter Foam 48 in x 25 ft x 1/4 in. Its $90.83 per roll w/free shipping.

About half the price at Foam Factory:
https://www.thefoamfactory.com/opencellfoam/filter.html

You're welcome. ;>)

John

[Tracy Garner]

I've used Foam Factory, based in the Detroit area, for years. All sorts of foam products too.

1/4" reticulated filter foam, 20-30ppi.

https://www.thefoamfactory.com/

Best regards,
John

I purchased some a couple months ago, I bought the 1/2" from foam factory and it seemed a bit thick for mid/hi cabinets but perfect for a sub.  I'm about to do some additional cabinets this month and will be getting the 1/4" this time around.

[ProSoundWeb Community]