AVForums

Our philosophy in our forums, reviews, podcasts and feature videos is to promote audio and visual excellence by gathering and sharing the best information and resources available.

Help

To begin please visit our help section »

Not a Member Yet?

It only takes a minute to start enjoying the benefits of AVForums membership, and it's free!

Member Log in

painting grills and frame of in wall/ceiling speakers - Tips please?

Post Reply
Old 10-11-2008, 9:42 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
newstuart's Avatar
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Northumberland
Experience Points:
8,165, Level: 21
Points: 8,165, Level: 21 Points: 8,165, Level: 21 Points: 8,165, Level: 21
Activity: 0.8%
Activity: 0.8% Activity: 0.8% Activity: 0.8%
Thanks: Gave 44, Got 35
Posts: 1,311
painting grills and frame of in wall/ceiling speakers - Tips please?

Hi guys

my living room project is getting close to completion and I am starting to decorate.

I have in wall and ceiling speakers installed and want to paint the plastic trim surrounds and the speaker gill (which is removable) to match the ceiling/wall colours.

Any tips for using normal emaulsion on plastic or or speaker grills without clogging them up would be very much appreciated
  Quote
Old 10-11-2008, 9:45 PM   #2
Prominent Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Swindon
Experience Points:
13,312, Level: 27
Points: 13,312, Level: 27 Points: 13,312, Level: 27 Points: 13,312, Level: 27
Activity: 54.2%
Activity: 54.2% Activity: 54.2% Activity: 54.2%
Thanks: Gave 1, Got 523
Posts: 4,528
Re: painting grills and frame of in wall/ceiling speakers - Tips please?

Hi

Do it with a roller first, then dab it with a soft bristled brush to fix any blocked holes.

Paint both sides (I know this sounds ridiculous) - it makes it a lot easier and you avoid the grille looking white when you view it from an acute angle.

In terms of painting the plastic trim, your speakers probably come with a paint mask - just stick that in place and paint straight over the speakers when you paint the wall. I'd run a small bead of 'Painters Mate' around the edge of the speaker where it meets the wall as well to ensure there are no unsightly gaps.

Steve
  Quote
Thanks from:
newstuart (11-11-2008)
Old 10-11-2008, 9:50 PM   #3
Member
 
dj-dulux's Avatar
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Kenilworth
Experience Points:
4,381, Level: 15
Points: 4,381, Level: 15 Points: 4,381, Level: 15 Points: 4,381, Level: 15
Activity: 2.3%
Activity: 2.3% Activity: 2.3% Activity: 2.3%
Thanks: Gave 10, Got 132
Posts: 872
Re: painting grills and frame of in wall/ceiling speakers - Tips please?

We use a guy who airbrushes the grills and matches any wallpaper pattern etc. Not sure what the paint is, standard airbrush I guess, but I have never seen it clog the grill so it appears to work.

Dupe...
  Quote
Thanks from:
newstuart (11-11-2008)
Old 11-11-2008, 9:00 AM   #4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Scottish Borders
Experience Points:
5,329, Level: 17
Points: 5,329, Level: 17 Points: 5,329, Level: 17 Points: 5,329, Level: 17
Activity: 6.1%
Activity: 6.1% Activity: 6.1% Activity: 6.1%
Thanks: Gave 33, Got 203
Posts: 1,160
Re: painting grills and frame of in wall/ceiling speakers - Tips please?

I'd suggest spraying the grilles a few thin coats - you need to water down the emulsion to make it sprayable in any case. Avoids blocking the holes in the grille and also means you do not get a thick build-up of paint.
  Quote
Thanks from:
newstuart (11-11-2008)
Old 11-11-2008, 8:54 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
newstuart's Avatar
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Northumberland
Experience Points:
8,165, Level: 21
Points: 8,165, Level: 21 Points: 8,165, Level: 21 Points: 8,165, Level: 21
Activity: 0.8%
Activity: 0.8% Activity: 0.8% Activity: 0.8%
Thanks: Gave 44, Got 35
Posts: 1,311
Re: painting grills and frame of in wall/ceiling speakers - Tips please?

Thanks guys

Going to try a roller 1st as suggested as the extra cost in getting someone to match spray paint will come out of the fund that is paying for my pronto pro

If that does not work I will sand down ans get them sprayed.

Good idea about the decorators mate around the edges, I didnt htink of that even though I have been using it for the skirting and coving.

Would you recomend watering the paint down before using with a roller and if so by how much ?
  Quote
Old 11-11-2008, 9:58 PM   #6
Prominent Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Swindon
Experience Points:
13,312, Level: 27
Points: 13,312, Level: 27 Points: 13,312, Level: 27 Points: 13,312, Level: 27
Activity: 54.2%
Activity: 54.2% Activity: 54.2% Activity: 54.2%
Thanks: Gave 1, Got 523
Posts: 4,528
Re: painting grills and frame of in wall/ceiling speakers - Tips please?

I didn't water it down - and had no trouble - but YMMV...!

Steve
  Quote
Old 12-11-2008, 8:50 AM   #7
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Experience Points:
2,389, Level: 11
Points: 2,389, Level: 11 Points: 2,389, Level: 11 Points: 2,389, Level: 11
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 0, Got 8
Posts: 42
Re: painting grills and frame of in wall/ceiling speakers - Tips please?

Probably not much help but I've sent mine off to a friend who paints cars for a living along with a foot of skirting board to color match too. they should be done on the weekend so hopefully they'll look good and be robust enough not to get chipped by my daugher (whos about face height to the center speaker.)
  Quote
Post Reply



Thread information and display options
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off