Cloth vs paper surround

ALWAYS go with the original material, the surround can be considered like the suspension of a cartridge's cantilever, CONTROLLING Movement.

My vintage electrovoice 15" woofers from 1958 MUST be cloth.

Last much longer: To alter the response, more than likely detrimentally for every day of their longer life is a 'wrong' decision. Paper lasts a long time, the original surround for that size cone is likely to be around for generations!

Avoid any hvac heat discharge nearby, shut that vent to prevent premature aging/drying of the paper. Very dry house, get a whole house humidifier or if radiators nearby, add water gizmos,

https://www.amazon.com/air-vent-blocker/s?k=air+vent+blocker

avsjerry:

I tried something a local phile gave me that (to me) smelled like brake fluid and then I tried a skin lotion my wife used (think it was lanolin based).

Also tried re-doping a pair of US made drivers (forget who originally made them as they were marketed under various brands - including Lafayette - maybe Jensen).

In all cases they stiffened back up within 2-3 months, or so, and I gave up.

I still have 2 pairs of Japanese made 4.5" drivers with porous (screen like) cloth surrounds that I have not messed with (the surrounds).

They mated OK with a Gallo TR2 sub set @ the speaker level default of 100Hz and I assume that they fall like a rock @ around 90Hz.

I own/owned "vintage" Stephens Trusonic, Coral, Elac, R&A, RCA, Foster (predecessor of Fostex), Altec and Jensen(?).

Maybe a few others I've forgot.

DeKay

 smelled like brake fluid and then I tried a skin lotion my wife used 

@dekay ...reading that triggered "Love Potion #9" replay in my mind....and your drivers kinda had their own kind of ending....

Surround Arthritis...the bane of ancient cloth....🙁

Asked the Goog about non-drying lubes, got 'personal lubes' which, although handy (..no, not punning, but there it is...) except for dry lubes like WD40 variants,,,,*shrug*

I've seen those 'screen surrounds'.....reminds me of the inside of bicycle tires...

Wanders never cease...

Thanks for the insight.....👍

Forgot to mention that I purchased the "dope" used locally from a shop on Ventura BLVD in North Hollywood.

The guy I dealt with reminded me of a creepy character from a John Connolly/Charlie Parker novel (assume that they are no longer in business).

DeKay