How to Paint Speaker Cabinets

Whether you have speaker cabinets that are old and need sprucing up, or you just want to customize a pair to go with your decor, painting speaker cabinets can be done in just a few hours. Before you start, check to see what kind of cabinets you have. Some cabinets have removable speakers. While removing the speakers makes customizing a bit easier, sealed cabinets with fabric grilles can be also be painted if properly prepared.

Turn plain speaker cabinets into bright spots in your room's decor.

Step 1

Remove the speakers from the cabinet, if applicable. Cabinet styles vary, so check the unit's manual. Screws are commonly located on the front and can be removed with a screwdriver, allowing the speaker horn to be pulled out.

Step 2

Clean the cabinet thoroughly with a slightly damp cloth. All-purpose spray cleaner can be used on most surfaces. Just be sure to wipe it dry immediately, especially on wood.

Step 3

Cover any part of the cabinet that you do not want painted with paper, using masking tape to hold it in place and to provide a neat edge. If the speaker cabinet has a non-removable cloth grille, cover it completely.

Step 4

Trim the edges of the masked area with a utility knife so the lines are clean.

Step 5

Spray the exposed area with primer, making sure the area is well-ventilated and that the surrounding surfaces are covered in newspaper. If you will be painting the cabinet a dark color, use a tinted primer. Dry completely, and repeat if necessary.

Step 6

Paint over the dry primer coat with spray enamel. Allow to dry completely, and spray a second coat if necessary. Let that coat dry as well.

Step 7

Remove the tape and paper. Re-install the speakers, if applicable.