How to Fix a Hole in a Car Audio Speaker

Last Updated: September 16, 2021

Some types of damage done to speakers can be repaired relatively easily. While damaged surrounds (material between the frame and speaker cone) and overpowered or over-driven speakers require more than a home remedy, tears or holes in speaker cones themselves, can be repaired. Please read completely before starting.

Steps

1
Access the speaker. Ideally, the speaker should be removed so both sides of the speaker cone are accessible. Remove door panels, grill work or covers to allow removal of the mounting screws or fasteners.
2
Support the speaker. The cone may be brittle if old, so be sure to handle the speaker with care. Hold the speaker so it does not fall when the last couple of screws are removed.

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3
Gently pull the speaker away from support. It may stick to grommet material or paint if it has been in place for some time.
4
Observe the connection to the speaker. Speakers require two wires to receive signals from the source or amp. Polarity (which wire connects to which terminal) is important. Take a photo (with cell phone), draw a diagram, label wires or make marks near the speaker terminals themselves to assist in properly reconnecting when reinstalling later.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Repair Holes

1
Obtain material for repair. Most speaker cones are made from paper or a thin plastic. To fix the hole, an amount of similar type and density material, but slightly larger will be needed. If unable to find the thin plastic used in some speakers, paper may be used.
2
Prep the speaker. Carefully remove any dust, dirt, etc. from the front of the speaker cone. The cone may be brittle if old, so be sure to handle the speaker with care.
3
Remove with scissors or razor any dangling edges. The smaller the hole and smoother the edge, the better the repair will be. Balance size and smoothness.
4
Cut the mending material to form a patch. The patch should be the same general shape and slightly larger than the hole.
5
Apply fingernail polish along the edge of the hole. Apply a liberal amount of polish along the edge of the hole in the speaker cone.
6
Apply fingernail polish along the edge of the patch. Apply a liberal amount of polish along the edge of the patch.
7
Join the patch material and speaker cone together. Align the patch to the hole and join. Press together by pressing from both sides at the same time. Do not push on one side without supporting the other side, otherwise the hole will tear.
8
Allow to dry completely.
9
Touch up. Check for areas that did not adhere and "fill" with additional polish. Use only enough to fill the void. Securely "tack" any edge that is not held in place by polish.
10
Reinstall speakers in reverse order of removal, noting polarity of the speaker wire connections.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Repair Tears

1
Remove and prep the speaker. Follow the steps above up to "Prep the speaker" Do not cut or trim any material from the speaker cone.
2
Apply a liberal amount of fingernail polish on the tear. "Paint" the nail polish on and around the tear. Apply the polish to both sides of the speaker cone.
3
Allow to dry completely.
4
Apply a second "coat" of polish.
5
Allow to dry completely.
6
Reinstall speakers in reverse order of removal, noting polarity of the speaker wire connections.
7
Finished.

Warnings

Amount of polish is loosely determined by how much bass energy is put into the speaker. Bass sounds (low frequency) cause the cone to "travel" more than high frequency sounds, and is more stressful to the cone material.

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It is unreasonable to expect the repaired speaker to perform as new. After all, a speaker is designed around many variables and all materials are chosen specifically to provide the designed response (which is what you paid for). Altering the speaker results in a deviation from the intended design and response specifications (again, this is what you paid for). This quick fix not intended to be used instead of replacing the speaker, but merely a "stopgap" until such time a replacement could be purchased.

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