Extending Life of Driver Rubber Surrounds

[miniguy]

Sonus Faber recommends silicone spray on a microfiber cloth to treat rubber surrounds on the speaker drivers. Have any of you done this? I am hesitant knowing that a lot of silicone products contain petroleum distillates that might shorten rather than extend the life of the rubber. I have owned Strads for several years and all I do is dust the drivers with a very soft brush. The surrounds still appear to be in good condition.

 

[stnsw]

I have been in a similar position, with Sonus Faber Serafinos. I found mould growing on the rubber surrounds! We do not here have the silicone spray they recommend at Sonus Faber. I contacted several companies. The technician at Helmar was most helpful. He said he could not recommend his spray or another because all had petrochemicals in the propellant or to thin the liquid silicone so that it could be sprayed. He thought that the liquid silicone was safe. This, though, is of course thicker, so I was stumped and decided that the safest thing was a damp cloth after dusting and otherwise nothing.

 

[miniguy]

I noticed on the Dynaudio website that they recommend Sonax rubber protectant. Though such products don’t contain silicone or petroleum distillates, they may cause the rubber to swell. So not using it. I tried contacting SEAS who made the Strad woofers, but no reply after a week or so.

 

[Holmz]

... I found mould growing on the rubber surrounds! …

Mould does not usually like Boron.
The “20 mule team” Borax might be worth a try.

Just mix up a teaspoon in a cup of hot water and paint brush say 1/2 of the surround and see if that stops the mould.
(Like brush it on and let it dry so as to leave some borax on the rubber.)

Vinegar is better than bleach for removal.
And the boron is an inhibitor.