Drive-In Movie Theater Speaker Restoration

The classic drive-in theatre used metal speakers hung from the car window to hear the sound. I found this beat up one, restored it and gave it a big sound upgrade.
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Zepp 505 Cleaner: amzn.to/2sJQbhL
MATERIALS:
Simichrome Polish: amzn.to/34ktaQm
50W 4" Speaker: amzn.to/2s71XTs
Potentiometer: amzn.to/2Q5A1qT
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[@TizonaAmanthia]

Manual Impact screwdriver. Best thing for stubborn screws.

[@bluetextonwhitebg]

nope. vinegar bath. anything that is badly rusted needs to rest in vinegar for 12-24 hours. the results are like night and day.

[@TizonaAmanthia]

@@bluetextonwhitebgeven when penetrating fluid soak fails?

[@BigJ-ks9zn]

Or use a real penetration oil like PB blaster or even better Kroil

[@AstoundingAmelia]

@@TizonaAmanthia yes because Vinager eats at the rust exposing the layer below which it also eats at and so on

[@MacquarieRidge]

Never knew this was a thing. Thank you!

[@frunked]

A lot of people are saying “why no polish?” Honestly, as someone who has worked at a drive-in, I like it better without polish! Looks more genuine.

[@kbhasi]

Ooh! 😄

[@ruikazane5123]

It is dangerous to not have any kind of protection layer on certain aluminum alloys that corrode with moisture and water contact though.

[@beepbeepcoyote]

Missed the opportunity to make this a portable Bluetooth speaker

[@beepbeepcoyote]

Im guessing the outside would look exactly as it is keeping the original look. It would just be more useful. Not like he's going to the drive in any time soon.

[@cryo_life]

How about you can just connect the speaker wires to Bluetooth amp

[@zackrose6019]

Then it wouldnt be a restoration.

[@OMGHIDE]

That could have been the hack :eyes:

[@ashtong85]

Its metal dimbo. Tell me how your bluetooth signal is gonna work

[@Mo_Ketchups]

Oh man ... the metal volume knob is the KEY aesthetic on these. I groaned when the plastic knob went on. 😣

[@KowboyUSA]

The drive-in was the happening place back in the '50s and '60s. Hang the speaker and steam the windows.

[@CullenCraft]

I see what you're trying to do with this one... Talking less to make it more like other restoration channels. But that was what set you apart from the others! The people subscribed to you like the channel because of you. Your voice is an asset!

[@CullenCraft]

@@randyp6474 I wouldn't be actively trying to use the same style of other people

[@treychiri1607]

Agreed, Kipkays voice is the channel. I had not watched in years until these restorations started appearing! imo this channel isn't anywhere near as good as it was back in the "hacking" days.

[@davidarchbald2206]

I 100% agree. I still loved the video but you should talk more!!!!

[@AceSimGaming]

He is trying something new, It's been years since he was at his peak.

[@mrbobbybtv]

That potentiometer is not rated for '50watts' though ;)

[@fordnox7150]

I'm afraid it won't last much

[@ArisstathGR]

Woah another restoration video, keep it up! I have been following you from elementary school

[@drcarrot415]

Me too! I love the different directions the channel has taken and now it’s in a really cool spot

[@kipkay]

Thanks for sticking with me.

[@Zsm96]

Same here, feels like forever I’ve been watching kipkay

[@DisturbedShifty]

Shocked he didn't make it blu-tooth compatible.

[@DaRUde117]

Disturbed Shifty you could probably do it if you wanted to but he just wanted to restore it to its original as closely as possible.

[@chase_h.01]

If they ever brought back drive-in's bluetooth would be the way

[@DisturbedShifty]

@@chase_h.01 Brought them back? Pfft. It never went away here. We have one left and it has three screens that shows a night.

[@myfatassdick]

And then turn it into a laser

[@herecomesbrodievods8206]

@@chase_h.01 they still have drive ins where i am

[@stilcrazychris]

Love to see a restoration from my era. Great job. Chris from Missouri

[@Wertyhappy27]

Drive-in theaters still exist, and i love going to them

[@ixionn563]

There was still one in North Carolina when I went about 10 years ago, they had the setup where you turn the FM radio in your car to a certain frequency to hear the movie.

[@skroogemcFuck]

Man I just remembered I had one in Georgia I would always go to but then we moved

[@baaelectronics]

I love these new restoration videos! I've been watching this channel since about 2009 along with your weekend projects on MAKE Magazine and these more recent videos are really more like the classic projects. Keep it up!

[@raidenmk4473]

I remember going to the drive in theatre and had to turn the radio station at a certain channel on the car stereo to hear the movie. It was awesome.

[@JoshuaFawcett]

Looks great, would be interesting to see a painted or polished finish though.

[@blackwing320]

I agree, a polished finish would look much better. Considering how bad the speaker was before, it probably would have taken to much time to sand it smooth enough to give it a good polish.

[@danmax7456]

I was thinking that myself. It would look cool. But it would take away from the authenticity !

[@SkullkraneEntertainment]

Wow! Your videos were a huge part of my childhood and this just popped up in my recommendations!

[@robthomas9936]

Great video Kipkay! And thank you so much for ditching that music. This format is so much better.

[@jgj4430]

This sort of content is AWESOME on your channel. It makes you stand out from the commercialization of other channels.

[@Hopgop1]

Did you remember to tie a knot in the speaker wire inside the speaker? So that you can’t accidentally pull the wire too hard and break the connections

[@n1cholas.w]

HG1 yes you can see it at 12:55

[@guitarfreakozzy]

PB blaster spray would have worked way better on those screws.3in1 is more of a lube then a release agent

[@tk429]

Kroil would work even better.

[@isaacvoeller3208]

50/50 trans fluid and acetone works the best

[@Sunsetdrivein]

@@tk429 I agree. I've used Kroil many times on drive in speaker screws to get them out.

[@klausphx]

As a Master Mechanic used every fluid known to man Nothing would have worked except small torch heat up screw or broke stud. Corrosion around Threads is very Hard and Screw threads 1/2" + Length Fluid Couldn't Penetrate that deep.

[@pim3fifty]

Really painfull to see you sand over at removing some of that RCA logo..

[@skyscrapersimTV]

Would have been worse if it was just thrown away

[@pim3fifty]

@@skyscrapersimTV bad argument

[@skyscrapersimTV]

@@pim3fifty How so?

[@BrandtCr066]

Absolutely LOVE these resto vids

[@breezetix]

oo, are u becoming a restoration youtuber now :O

[@Grunchy005]

He’s turned into a full-blown tinker. Every tinker I ever knew was broke but not unappreciated. It’s just that you’re spending all this time fixing something broken that’s worth like $5, really. But if you can get paid by people watching, hey that’s fantastic:)

[@xqnime]

I love classic KipKay. All of his soldering vids. I think this is better than his other content and would like to see more like this.

[@kipkay]

I'm planning on doing this for awhile. Thanks for watching.

[@rogallen9535]

To get rusted steel bolts out of aluminum you have to hear up the bolt let it cool them heat it again to break the corrosion between the steel and aluminum

[@joelvinson]

This brought back so many great childhood memories. Great work, Kip.

[@hankr3603]

A longer screwdriver does not equal more torque

[@hoyt387]

EZ off oven cleaner works great on aluminum, it has muriatic acid in it

[@photolabguy]

Nice video, but I feel like you sanded the RCA logo right off.

[@rubiks_20]

kind of

[@stevemeade2193]

Worked at drive in for 15 years growing up.rebuilt them on a regular based.took special screw diver to take it apart

[@flyingsquirrel3271]

Great job! Just one note about the electronics: Putting the potentiometer after the power amp is a bad idea (that's why the original one was so big!). The proper way to do it would be to include a little amp in the box and wire the potentiometer after your line level input.

[@richardborlandhodson]

Amazing job. Just wondering was it impossible to re-use the original potentiometer volume knob? The new, plastic one really killed the final look 😕

[@strachster]

now thats some retro tech we didnt have in europe

[@MonoChorMe]

WOW... that new volume dial fit in like a glove in the new socket in the casing... unbelievable! 😲

[@jstnshea]

This is a change of pace from older Kipkay videos for me. 😂

[@DANTICO6645]

kipkay the best penetrating fluid is a diy that i got from chrisfix you mix full synthetic aft automatic transmission fluid and acetone you do a 50/50 mix shakewell and use.

[@Yuri-io9yb]

Dont forget the soapy wooder

[@srvowoof]

Kipkay should have plenty of Acetone available! :)

[@RealJackHQ]

Mr. Hot Glue Gun is getting jealous of Mr. Steel Brush Kipkay 😂.

[@Arc-Trinity]

I thought that thing was for ordering food and drinks when you were watching the movie lol.

[@Exodus_20_Deuteronomy_5]

Silver moon drive in over in Lakeland might be close enough for you KipKay.....We love it

[@Delirious365]

Good video & Good job

[@11jakboy11]

Love the new series kipkay! Way to keep it fresh :)

[@magvegas]

I'm not hating but those 2005 animations XD

[@AcediaLive]

Filler primer works wonders filling in pitting in metals. Also bondo works great restoring deep scratches and such

[@revinhatol]

Perfection! You really restored this speaker!

[@Austinadcock]

1/4” drive electric impact driver may have helped with the screws. Also a better penetrating oil. And the sand blaster would have been fine for the aluminum

[@Youstupidnub]

Hey Kip. For more torque on a screw driver use your ring finger and pinky. So you would place your thumb on top of the handle with your pinky at the bottom. Grip tightly and turn you will be surprised at the amount of force you can exert. Your pointer and middle finger are more for finesse. This is a tactic they teach for oilfield work to minimize injury and maximize efficiency.

[@joshmaxwell8767]

So I've been watching your videos since 2009 and I have probably watched every of your MAKE magazine videos aswell. And I see you as a mostly very practically oriented person. So I really can't quite wrap my head around this: Why... didn't you just use a ruler to transfer the measurements of the potentiometer plate instead of using a dremel!? Also, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for introducing me to making things. Not that I didn't already have a big interest in building things but you showed me stuff to make and how easy it really is. I can still vividly remember looking up some random stuff on youtube since I just got an ipod touch and I found "cheapy kighter laser burner". After that I was hooked and proceeded to binge basically everything youtube had on making stuff. Thank you for inspiring me..... ....and for giving Altoids tins new lives :) You are my childhood hero!

[@rexjolles]

way back in time? I go to the drive in a few times every summer! they use the car's radio now, but it's cool. The Dealsea Drive-In is what's its called, on the Delsea drive in PA.

[@kipkay]

*This vintage drive-in theater speaker was a fun restoration project. I've got some more projects planned but I'd love to hear from you! What would YOU like me to restore? Check out my last project here:* kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3bWp42Cjq9mfck *Thanks for watching!*

[@teh_supar_hackr]

Wow, still kicking on KZbin since 2007!

[@RoverNathan]

This would have been even better if it was a portable bluetooth speaker. You could easily fit a battery and amp board in there and cut out a little slot for the charging port, it looks great anyway

[@DaRUde117]

Great restore vid as always Kipkay!! One thing I would like to see is a time/cost breakdown at the end of every vid,so that way we can see if its truly worth it or not to restore something similar.

[@danmax7456]

Just think how many there were of those, & restoring it the way you did was a work of art ! Simply Beautiful ! 👍

[@noone.5296]

Looks good as hell KipKay! Great job brother!

[@nourmaati2977]

You are the best

[@foureyedchick]

"We will see you next time" is the way Great Scott ends his videos as well [With a thick German accent, of course].

[@nygiantswinner]

KipKay does ASMR. Lol

[@Sticky745]

Love these videos, keep them up! May i suggest restoring a vintage a track player 👍👍

[@haydenmiller8505]

Haven’t watched your videos in awhile. I remember being a kid and watching your videos then going right outside and making something!

[@smithmarion1]

We have a drive In in the Niagara area in Canada and altho the sound comes from the radio now the poles that once held the speakers are still there. They are also still running. And during the summer it is always packed and they are always great deals on food and tickets

[@williama29]

I love KipKay Restored series so much

[@ets160]

I cant believe it but kipkay is back and prospering. I remember watching him years ago and look at him now!

[@nima20031]

Finally! A good video, this is the Kipkay I grew up on!

[@subliminal128]

Kipkay I’ve been watching you for what feels like 10 years lol. Always great content!

[@noahmccaffery1342]

Been around since make magazine Saturday projects. Been a fan ever since! Love the restorations !!

[@tready2008]

loving the new series

[@mikedoe1737]

Awesome... - could've gladly watched an hour of this!

[@DJDRFUNKJUICE]

Omg Netflix and chill and Disney Plus, Hulu, and KZbin just got better with that movie speaker. I love these videos I can't wait for your new one coming up keep up the work. 👊🏾 Funk up Salute Peace

[@maki_zenko]

Drive-in Movie Theater is coming back here in Philippines due to the pandemic. Instead of speakers, they will use radio frequency to broadcast the audio and let the viewers tune their radio dashboards.

[@thealextrifier]

That’d be so cool if one could actually sand it off that fast in real life. 😮

[@stringfrenzy]

Nice work even though many have went defunct we still have a couple of them in our area.

[@Goth_ihop666]

I love that these restorations have commentary ahhhh

[@Zaviex]

These projects are excellent

[@GregTheSlacker]

Would love to see more restoration videos! This is great!

[@seekingtko3146]

awesome restoration 10-4 front door

[@jimbobtheimpaler8403]

Diggin the new direction here buddy.

[@TheHouseOfTheDead1Fan]

This is the kipkay content we want to see

[@RHTeebs]

I thought it was great! More please!

[@gardener_leaftail]

You should have tried using a drill with a Flathead screwdriver bit

[@seanharvey1250]

Glad he is continued this!

[@lockheed6859]

I miss drive ins also we have one up north called the Cherry Bowl in Honer Michigan

[@GJGAMING5]

Loving the restoration videos

[@TheMetroPhotographer]

I'm digging the restoration videos!

[@AbductionFailed]

cool idea

[@capfantasy]

I love these kinds of videos. Keep it up!!

[@bananasrfr14]

I love this recent content

[@Returns2006]

I'd like to see a restoration of something Art Deco; I have no idea what, but I love the visual style

[@IrishKeshiHead]

Not a bad job kipkay. Though i too would have expected this to be modernized to have bluetooth possibilities too.

[@EileenJoyHappy]

This was fun to see!

[@ymmatinthehat]

Love the restoration videos kip Good stuff

[@ranma314]

do more of this series

[@gilbertoperez424]

Yes please I like the series and I enjoy your videos merry Christmas and have a happy new year.

[@anson0721]

Without the music and just the sounds, it’s almost like I’m watching/listening to an ASMR

[@redsnow579]

Love the restoration videos mah dude

[@Delirious365]

1970's CRT consoled stereo

[@noahamoe3394]

Keep going I love these videos

[@fhjhji1307]

Please invest in an impact screwdriver they work wonders on very tight screws

[@TRX450RVlogger]

8:46 I don’t know what it is about that sound... I love it though!

[@danielmkubacki]

That was cool!

[@petermot645]

Great job !

[@Jawaddelya]

Nice video love to see more of those