New member with a question: Wurlitzer 2800

I notice you don't have an introduction section so I'll introduce myself here. Retired carpenter and amateur auto restorer. I collect interesting trinkets and I have some nice heirloom antiques. So, I like old things. I fix things and what I'm doing right now is cleaning up a Wurlitzer 2800. The amp is being done by Mike Zacarro per a recommendation by Mr. Ron Rich. Thank you, Ron.

While the amp is out for service, I'm doing the cosmetics. Things are going well enough, but I'm at the point where I'd like to remove and clean the speaker grille. Well, to my surprise, a few of the screws holding the box trim and W logo are blind behind the speakers. OK, I'm going to loosen the mech and back it up enough in the cabinet to remove the speakers. I can test them then, so might be a benefit.

My question is, if anyone knows, is about the expanded metal grille itself. Once the box trim and logo are off the grille, what else will be holding that to the 3/4 plywood?
Or did I miss the easy way to do this?

Thanks in advance to all that can help. And if anyone is thinking about getting into older Porsches, hit me up. I have 29,000 posts at a Porsche forum. I hang out at the Garage Journal as well.

Happy belated 4th!

Hi Zeke,
Welcome!
I have never cleaned a WurliTzer grill on a 2800--but if my memory serves me, it's pretty much the same as Seeburg used in several models. Our "clean-up man" used to take Tide, a bucket of hot water, and a scrub brush to them--then a garden hose---sit them in the sun--and it looked like new--
Hope you said "Hi" to Mike, for me--
Ron Rich

I most definitely told Mike you sent me.

I'm still looking for more screws, especially the blind ones. I can't clean the grille on the cabinet as I will get the speaker cones wet. I have the repair manual, but I guess this is not something someone wold do in the field as a service.

Zeke,
Thank-you--
Yes, that would be a "shop job"--I hesitate to say this, but our clean up guy left the speakers in place during this procedure. Of course, having access to brand new, correct speakers, for all models, was a factor. He destroyed a very, very, tiny amount, of them, as he was very careful with the hose--
I would remove them today--especially on a WurliTzer, where they are "special", and almost impossible to replace. I don't think I'd remove the grill itself--- Ron Rich

OK then, I'll try this plan for now:
The grain of the expanded metal grill is downward looking at the front. I won't spray any cleaner, but I will brush some on very carefully then let it run down. Starting at the bottom I'll see if any wants to go towards the inside. If not, I'll work my way up. Must be 50 years of cigarette smoke and a couple of beers on the thing. Can't leave it as it is.

The chrome expanded metal grille must be a great canvas for the light scheme above it. I need it clean so it sparkles.

Thanks for the advice.

"Ron Rich"

I would remove them today--especially on a WurliTzer, where they are "special", and almost impossible to replace. I don't think I'd remove the grill itself--- Ron Rich[/quote]

Zeke,
You DID see the above, where I said I would remove the speakers ?? ??
Ron Rich

I misinterpreted your message. I will remove them. Thank you once more.

I thought so--I was not too clear either ---
Ron Rich

Well, I did take the grill off the plywood face. There is some black 2-sided weatherstrip type of material I will have to replace. I'm sure this is to stop any rattling. But, I'm glad I did this because it was so much easier to clean.

So, for the archives, here is the procedure: It will be easier to do this with the main mech out, but I only backed mine out about 6 inches. The guard around the coin box is in the way of the RH speaker and needs to be at least loosened. When the speakers are taken off their studs you will see 4 more screws that hold the decorative molding against the grill. Atter the decorative elements have been removed, the grill is just floating on foam adhesive strips. Carefully pry it loose from the bottom and work it out of the trim at either side.

To reinstall it would be helpful to have something that will hold the grill in a convex shape as you place it against the new weatherstrip and get it in the side molding channel. Once in place, it take 2 people to reinstall the rectangular shaped molding and logo. These in turn hold the grill tight, but don't over tighten the screws. You want to leave some of the weatherstrip flexibility Just make sure it's not going to rattle. The hardest part is at the edges where the grill goes in the channel because the grill wants to push the weatherstrip away. Some very careful planning here will allow the grill to slip over the weatherstrip; some electrician's tape wrapped over the grille edge and some along the inside edge of the weatherstrip so you don't catch the edge. You may have to do this a couple times to get the knack of it.

Hope that helps from a newbie.