getting dents out of dust caps!

Dave Stagner · Post by **Dave Stagner** » 10 Dec 2023 6:22 pm

Last night, while setting up for a gig, my bandmate managed to drop something on my JBL K120 dust cap while loading in,, putting a second dent in it. Does anybody have a way of getting dents out, short of replacing the dust cap or reconing? I still have the original cone and am loathe to recone it, and changing the dust cap seems scary. I have it in a Jerry-style 1x12 cab, so the dents are visible.

It's not the end of the world and I can live with the dents, but it'd be nice to fix them if I can without major surgery to my favorite speaker!

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 10 Dec 2023 7:18 pm

I don't know if your's is vented in the back of the magnet but if so I have done it. There are some who just use tape to stick on the center and slowly lift it. I seen others use a shop vac with a rubber end and suction. Gotta be careful with that. I used the blower side and a hose carefully blowing on the hole through the magnet. No need to get a tight fit or you may blow it out too far.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 10 Dec 2023 7:23 pm

/viewtopic.php?t=208982&highlight=speak ... entre+dent

Dave Stagner · Post by **Dave Stagner** » 10 Dec 2023 9:28 pm

Larry Dering wrote:/viewtopic.php?t=208982&highlight=speak ... entre+dent

Thanks! I might try that paper towel tube method. I’ve tried tape already and it didn’t work, and I’m afraid of using the vacuum trick.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 11 Dec 2023 3:39 am

Dave, there was several YouTube videos of different methods available. You will have to do a search. Good luck and post your results.

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 11 Dec 2023 9:11 am

I hate that! Happened to me many times-I just lived with it.

SH

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 11 Dec 2023 10:08 am

Sorry Man I hate when that happens.
I have some Jerry-style cabs also but had to put a speaker cover on the ones I gig with.
They don't look as cool, but no dust-cover dents.
How exactly did this one happen?

Ken Jameson · Post by **Ken Jameson** » 11 Dec 2023 10:15 am

I have had good luck with
Using tape.put it over the dent
and slowly pull it upward.
I have fixed my own D 130 that way.

Stuart Tindall · Post by **Stuart Tindall** » 11 Dec 2023 10:27 am

I've heard of folks using a vacuum cleaner.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 11 Dec 2023 6:29 pm

The simplest and best fix?

Since almost nobody's really impressed with aluminum dust caps anymore (they're kinda like those fake portholes and little air diverters people stick on their cars), mask the cone and spray the dust cap with flat-black spray paint. That way, nobody will be able to see that it's dented.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 11 Dec 2023 9:27 pm

Pretty thin stuff. If it's just a mild dimple, masking tape, frog tape, painter's tape usually does a fair job. If there's a crease, it's nearly impossible to get it back to perfect.

I've not had much luck with the vacuum and just fair with tape.

Mine have all been BWs where the magnet can be removed and just gently push the dent out from behind with your finger, but I believe that's not practical with JBLs.

FWIW, www.simplyspeakers.com or perhaps others, sells a replacement dust cap. It's pretty easy to replace if you're careful and handy with a hobby knife as it's not necessary to recone the entire speaker just to replace the dust cap... They also have the adhesive and offer a youtube video tute on the installation

That's probably what I'd do if it were of great distraction, annoyance to me.

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 12 Dec 2023 3:59 am

Quality gaff tape carefully pressed into the dent and then quickly pulled back has fixed many a dust cover. It's nondestructive so can be repeated to get a complete fix unless the aluminum is badly creased. If the tape method doesn't work the dome can be carefully cut out and a new one glued in place.

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 12 Dec 2023 5:20 pm

I've had success with a vacuum and the wand with a layer of towel over it. You have to have good control of the wand and ease in to the area needing to be popped, immediately remove wand when it pops. If already creased, it may not remove that damage.

Brian Lenherr · Post by **Brian Lenherr** » 3 Jan 2024 6:37 pm

I’ve had luck with a toothpick and hot glue. Break the toothpick clean so one tip is flat (not sharp) but you have plenty of length. Put some hot glue on that flat part - a decent little glob. Put that in the middle of the dent. Let it dry and cool. Pull gently.

Works for me every time.

I wouldn’t do this on a paper cone - just aluminum.

Best of luck!

Dale Foreman · Post by **Dale Foreman** » 4 Jan 2024 8:55 pm

I used my shop vac to suck the dent out of one of my speakers! works well!

The Steel Guitar Forum

getting dents out of dust caps!

getting dents out of dust caps!

Here's a couple ideas

Re: Here's a couple ideas

Dents

Dent

Dust Cover