Clean Sound

September 12, 2006

You've spent a bundle on new speakers or some other gleaming audio bonbon that looked great for the first week, but dust and fingerprints are now reducing the just-out-of-the-box luster. Recommendations for how to clean these product range from "wipe with a clean cloth" to "use a small amount of glass cleaner on a clean cloth." June Cleaver might have used these methods, but there has to be a better way in Y2K+6, right?

The people at Wilson Audio introduced me to a product called Plexus that is by far the best thing I've used for cleaning glossy surfaces. It was developed for use in the aviation industry, but it's billed as a "plastic cleaner and protectant," so it should be good for use on many clear and colored surfaces. Plexus also has anti-static properties that make it difficult for dust to adhere to whatever has been cleaned with it.

I apply quick bursts of Plexus directly to the surface and then use a 3M microfiber cloth to spread around the excess and bring out the shine. You don't need to use much, and you'll know you've treated the surface properly when your cloth starts to glide as though there is no friction.

On speakers like those from Wilson Audio or equipment platforms from Silent Running, whose finish is fit for a luxury car, Plexus leaves a shine that looks wet and stays that way indefinitely (at least from my experience so far) if you remove dust regularly. You can purchase Plexus online in three sizes, but I was able to find it discounted at a local motorcycle shop, where it's used to give the bikes for sale a head-turning glow. Get the 13-ounce can; you'll finish it off once you see what it does....Marc Mickelson, editor@soundstage.com

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