sparton horn repair

[kdancy]

1952 Hudson

After looking up as much info as I could find, I have a couple of questions, after taking apart a sparton horn

and cleaning the rusty diaphragm, can the diaphragm have paint or powder coat applied to it or

does it have to be "bare" metal to work properly?

Also, how thick does the paper gasket need to be that is on both sides of the diaphragm edge that

sandwiches between the two housings?

Edited November 7, 2021 by kdancy
added info (see edit history)

[jpage]

It would help to know what type and era horn you are working on. From my experience that the diaphragm should be raw stell with no coatings for best performance. I would also think that the paper gaskets are very thin. Exact model will probably determine specs.

[kdancy]

1952 Hudson 6v application.

[Pete O]

I would think that any paint or coating would tend to dampen the vibration and muffle the sound of the horn.

[trini]

Avoid using sand paper on the diaphram. Soak in lemon juice or better yet, vapor rust. and if you want to go the extra mile get a chrome plater to lightly plate it with copper. Any thin gasket paper will do. The tone depends on the adjustment screw.

[Larry Schramm]

If the horn has a capacitor, it should be changed along with cleaning of the points.

[hook]

Take the diaphragm and make it absolutely bare smooth metal and have it blued like a gun barrel or use touch up blue from a gun shop. It comes in Blue, Black or Brown. This with add protection without dampening.

[trini]

Good advice.