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Author Topic: AKG-701 velour pad cleaning (restoring)  (Read 834 times)

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paras1te

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AKG-701 velour pad cleaning (restoring)
« on: March 01, 2015, 07:06:17 AM »
Any hints on how to clean/restore velour?
Even after a soap/water cleaning, the feeling against skin REMAINS horrible.
I can sorta get the orig. skin feel (luxurious) if I use a hard bristle brush (but this only works for a few mins).
The skin feel is -- put bluntly -- "gross"/"nasty". My beyers have the same type of velour ... super soft/luxurious for a year or so ... then .... YUCK.
Not really a cheapskate ... just the $20-$30 for new pads makes me think hard about investing that dough in Xaiomi's ;)
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Armaegis

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Re: AKG-701 velour pad cleaning (restoring)
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2015, 08:07:07 AM »
If they remain grimy even after washing and light brushing, it might be time to call it quits. Get a new pair and clean them more regularly before they get gross.
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Do you think there may be an acoustic leak from the jack hole? ~Tyll Hertsens

Not sure if I like stuffing one hole or both holes. Tending toward one hole since both holes seems kinda ghey ~Purrin

mkubota1

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Re: AKG-701 velour pad cleaning (restoring)
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2015, 09:10:49 AM »
Quote from: Armaegis on March 01, 2015, 08:07:07 AM
If they remain grimy even after washing and light brushing, it might be time to call it quits. Get a new pair and clean them more regularly before they get gross.

That's sort of what I was thinking- that maybe you let them go for a bit too long.  So after a hard/harsh washing, the fluff is gone and all you're left with is mostly backing?  Starting over sounds like the thing to do, and then maybe more frequent and gentler washings.  I usually just press or blot a paper towel soaked in hot water for about 15-20 seconds.  And then let air dry overnight.
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paras1te

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Re: AKG-701 velour pad cleaning (restoring)
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2015, 12:07:42 PM »
Quote from: mkubota1 on March 01, 2015, 09:10:49 AM
That's sort of what I was thinking- that maybe you let them go for a bit too long.  So after a hard/harsh washing, the fluff is gone and all you're left with is mostly backing?  Starting over sounds like the thing to do, and then maybe more frequent and gentler washings.  I usually just press or blot a paper towel soaked in hot water for about 15-20 seconds.  And then let air dry overnight.
The puzzling thing is, the pads LOOK very good (the velour bristles have not worn away).
Anyway...my cleaning "strategy":
Dip pads in hot water + mild soap. Scrub with clean towel; gently squeeze/ring out. Repeat w/ hot water only till all the soap/grime are out (water is clear).
In between washes, I usually use Wet Ones hand wipes for both my skin/hair (around ear pad contact area) and, also, for the pads themselves.
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donunus

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Re: AKG-701 velour pad cleaning (restoring)
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2015, 01:10:45 PM »
wet ones leaves a sticky lotion type material though
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paras1te

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Re: AKG-701 velour pad cleaning (restoring)
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2015, 09:35:57 AM »
Quote from: donunus on March 01, 2015, 01:10:45 PM
wet ones leaves a sticky lotion type material though
You can use lotionless version which just has alcohol...
Actually, the BEST cleaner is saliva (art restorers swear by the stuff, often called "the magic spit") ...
... if you buy used cans on the 'Bay or H-F, chances are high that ...

... well, better that than sweat and skin oil n' grime n' cooties ;)
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Armaegis

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Re: AKG-701 velour pad cleaning (restoring)
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2015, 06:49:23 PM »
I wonder if the alcohol over time has simply degraded the velour bristles. Sweat can also be moderately acidic and can degrade pads. The bristles may not be worn away, but may no longer stand up on their own or have a higher tendency to clump under pressure.
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Do you think there may be an acoustic leak from the jack hole? ~Tyll Hertsens

Not sure if I like stuffing one hole or both holes. Tending toward one hole since both holes seems kinda ghey ~Purrin

spoony

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Re: AKG-701 velour pad cleaning (restoring)
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2015, 12:12:20 AM »
They probably have some sort of residue, try rubbing them with a towel doused in hot water a few times,
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