Do you "treat" your speakers rubber surrounds?

You mention not to use Armorall, but Ty from Tyler Acoustics told me that using Armorall every so often is OK for the surrounds. I haven't used Armorall, but if I was going to treat the surrounds I would use 303 Aerospace Protectant. It's mainly used on a boats vinyl to keep it like new. It won't degrade in the sun, or make the vinyl brittle. I have used this product for 11 years on my boats and I would be comfortable using this on my surrounds; what you use is strictly up to you.

talk to your speaker manufacture...

Ehaller: 303 Aerospace Protectant rocks!!! the only thing in Arizona that doesn't cause cracking.. Armorall really isn't that good to put on anything rubber that you care about..

LOL @ Seasoned's dust removal process!

I'd write your speaker manufacturer and ask. Then I'd suggest you follow their instructions.

Virtually all flexible plastic and rubber compounds will stiffen and harden with age as the volatile organic compounds slowly evaporate. That is just a sad fact of life.

The catch is that applying compounds to protect the speaker's surround may not have the effect you intended. It might help preserve the surround. It might do nothing, or it could even accelerate deterioration.

If you get 14 years of life out of the driver before it fails when applying compound, would have that been 10 years without or 20 years? Short of applying the compound and seeing the speaker surround dissolve before your eyes you'll probably never know.

However, the real immediate danger is that applying a compound changes the compliance of the suspension and affects the sound of your driver. At that point, the driver that the designer so carefully selected to fit in that particular cabinet with that particular crossover is no longer the same. Your expensively acquired speaker no longer sounds as intended. That's probably the real reason to not apply anything to a driver unless you clear it with the speaker maker first.

I apply a coat of Vinylex (sp?) annually. It is a vinyl and plastic treatment made for automobiles by Lexol. The label says it helps replenish the plasticisers that are removed from sunlight and oxidation. You know, that funky film that builds up on the inside of your windshield. That's the plasticisers evaporating out of the dashboard. Plasticisers are also what gives your auto that pleasurable new car smell. Despite the fact they're bad for your health. Been treating the rubber surrounds for about 4 years now with no ill effects.