Wood treatment

[Taxed1]

I am building a birch ported box and after watching some YouTube videos one particular builder quickly says that he treats the inside of the sub box but he doesn’t say with what. Can I treat the inside of the box with clear polycrylic? Will it affect the sound or is it completely unnecessary to treat the inside of the box. I am going to stain the outside but I’m just wondering about the inside.

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[SlugButter]

It won’t make a difference in sound. I’ve put poly on the inside when I do glass, but it’s just for aesthetics.

 

[Doxquzme Premium Member]

I am building a birch ported box and after watching some YouTube videos one particular builder quickly says that he treats the inside of the sub box but he doesn’t say with what. Can I treat the inside of the box with clear polycrylic? Will it affect the sound or is it completely unnecessary to treat the inside of the box. I am going to stain the outside but I’m just wondering about the inside.

Well, you do live in Florida and plywood tends to absorb humidity more than MDF so if you’re going to do it, Minwax Rub-On (water based polyurethane) would be my choice. Water based only as you do not want to have solvent based fumes in there affecting the surrounds or the cones over time. Personally unless you are going to have a plexiglas viewing window or something where the finish of the insides are visible, I wouldn’t waste my time and $$$.

 

[Taxed1]

Thanks for both of your replies and suggestions.

 

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

Well, you do live in Florida and plywood tends to absorb humidity more than MDF

Never had that problem with multiple walls.

 

[Jimi77 Premium Member]

I use white latex paint, mainly because it makes it easier to see inside the enclosure. I'm not a ported guy, but I'd use black in a port.

 

[Doxquzme Premium Member]

Not a bad idea to paint it the same color as the car too, looks pretty neat!

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

The only inside treatment that actually makes any difference is sealing all the cracks with silicone or the like to keep the enclosure from leaking. I do inside and outside