So you're finally the proud owner of a home and you're ready to set up the most rocking home theater that anyone on the block has ever seen. You've installed an enormous pull-down projector screen and set your space up with a wicked surround sound system, including the often overlooked ceiling speakers. But now you've got to put the finishing touches on the theater and paint the speaker grills to match the ceiling...
How to... Paint a Ceiling Speaker Grill
We spotted these simple instructions at DoItYourself.com:
- If you've already installed the speaker into the ceiling, then remove the grill. You don't want any paint making its way into the speaker. Pulling it down from the ceiling also makes it easier to pain.
- Clean the speaker grill thoroughly. You won't get an even coat of paint if there's dirt and dust underneath.
- You'll need to thin out the paint that you'd like to paint the speaker grill with. Use a manufacturer-approved paint thinner to make sure that the paint goes on evenly and doesn't clump up to block any of the holes in the grill.
- If you're using a liquid paint, apply a thin layer to the grill with a small foam brush. If you're using a spray paint, use a light hand approximately 2-3 feet away from the grill. In either case, the key to to apply paint lightly and not block the vent holes in the grill. If you find a hole blocked by mistake, dab at the inside of the grill with a wet cloth.
- Allow the paint to dry completely before handling the speaker grill. When it's dry, re-attach the grill to the ceiling and enjoy your new camouflaged ceiling speakers.
If you're in the mood to hide more of your tech, check out this brick-wall-camouflaged satellite dish, these wallpaper-covered AV components or these speakers hidden inside real books.
Comments (13)
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Except that if you care about good sound you won't mount the speakers in the ceiling to begin with. Problem solved.
view TypicalGuy's profile
These are my home theater speakers. Nobody complains about seeing them.
http://hometheatermag.com/floorloudspeakers/890polkrti/
view TypicalGuy's profile
Are you married or live with someone else? Perhaps your partner appreciates your taste in speakers and finds them reasonable or attractive. But often times, one person may not want large freestanding speakers...it's a common point of contention in a household where a big speaker or screen may not be as appreciated. If you live alone, then it isn't so much of an issue, but from our reader emails, we're pretty sure many people prefer to hide away even attractive large speakers if they can.
view gregory's profile
The fact remains that ceiling mounted speakers will never sound good.
If you're going to spend serious money on a sound system the last thing you (should) want to do is compromise the sound quality.
Buy speakers that go with the decor - as long as they are top quality to begin with.
Of course for people who think MP3 is good quality sound, then disregard.
view NormalGuy2's profile
Besides, isn't this a *tech* website?
view NormalGuy2's profile
"This is a site for people who embrace technology AND design in their home...(where you will) find the best of home technology and help you incorporate it into your home, without spoiling your décor."
Not everyone is looking for the same situations, budget or space to work with. We try to cover a variety of solutions/ideas with a range of budgets even if your preference is for MP3 sound, or you want to hide away speakers and not have them intrude in your home decor that you share with a spouse/partner, or if need to compromise because you have a small space limitations. This is a tech site, but one that appreciates the fact that we're looking to merge the considerations of how that technology merges with things besides the best performance. Because in reality, most people make home electronic purchases with compromises that revolve around many factors besides what works best.
view gregory's profile
I have (recessed) in-ceiling speakers by Thiel, and I have to disagree that the sound is crappy; it's not. There's no difference from our old wall-mounted speakers (6.1).
view stickyricemama's profile
I just looked at those linked floorstanding speakers, and those would not work in our home or for our family. Those are not a solution I would recommend to my neighbors or friends either because our needs are quite different from yours.
view stickyricemama's profile
@stickyricemama 1, my cousin has a similar setup and I also believe it sounds just fine. Love the small footprint!
view ekoshyun's profile
stickyricemama: would love to see some photos of your in-ceiling setup!
view gregory's profile
Well, give me some time here while I get my camera...
view stickyricemama's profile
OK, this is for those who want to see my in-ceiling speakers -- they are covered with grills and still unpainted (because we are sort of busy with other things). They are above our family-playroom, have *zero* footprint (which is important because we like to crash cars on the floor and tumble and flip-flop), sound absolutely great (especially after bedtime when we can watch a movie and crank up the sound), and they even survive assaults from sticky starfish, balls, and random objects from multiple kids --
Need I say more about how this works for a family?
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hWPLSPpMHhXs82tXUR9lUQ?feat=directlink
view stickyricemama's profile
Thanks for sharing, stickyricemama. I think the details about why in-ceiling speakers might be the smarter-better choice for certain households is evident, especially in a household with more "playful" residents :)
view gregory's profile