Made an account to reply here because this thread absolutely saved me! I am also guilty of the sin of seven-screw removal (no harm done, just disgusting filth making the screws hard to remove).
I love my Vmoda Crossfades, bought them in 2018 and have put them through moderate use since then. More intense during the pandemic too. When I noticed the gunk building up on the mesh inside the XL earpads (which I've been using since day 1), I knew something had to be done. Here's a quick guide to help more people who can't stand filthy cans!
1. Remove the earpads, recoil in horror at the sight of their bare backside. Inhale the aroma of decay.
2. Remove the metal grills, using a fine-edged flathead screwdriver or pair of needlenose pliers (both worked for me, I bent the pliers in the process). The grills are attached both magnetically and with an adhesive around the black ring, which is where the prying tool inserts. (maybe the adhesive was just sticky wax).
3. Soak the metal grills in isopropyl overnight. For the earpad mesh, I started with q-tips soaked in isopropyl, followed by paper towel with Goo Gone. Then I put the mesh under my kitchen sink at full pressure, scrubbing away at the now loosened wax (the mesh is quite resilient and didn't tear). Leave to dry. Here's a picture of the drivers under the mesh, be careful with the thin covering now exposed. Luckily the crossfades are designed to tuck in, protecting each unit while you work on the other side. Leave the screws be unless you want a deep clean... I had to use pliers attached to a screwdriver to loosen them.
4. The next day, use a toothpick to poke out the holes in the grills. Try a paper towel to remove excess gunk.
5. Reassembly, starting with the grills. They popped back in without a problem, literally clicking around the edges. Easier to remove for next time too. Don't forget to make sure your earpads are reinserted in the right direction (flat edge of the black rim = bottom of the headphone near the jack).
6. Crossfades reborn! The discolouration may be permanent but they are much cleaner and happier.
I love my Vmoda Crossfades, bought them in 2018 and have put them through moderate use since then. More intense during the pandemic too. When I noticed the gunk building up on the mesh inside the XL earpads (which I've been using since day 1), I knew something had to be done. Here's a quick guide to help more people who can't stand filthy cans!
1. Remove the earpads, recoil in horror at the sight of their bare backside. Inhale the aroma of decay.
2. Remove the metal grills, using a fine-edged flathead screwdriver or pair of needlenose pliers (both worked for me, I bent the pliers in the process). The grills are attached both magnetically and with an adhesive around the black ring, which is where the prying tool inserts. (maybe the adhesive was just sticky wax).
3. Soak the metal grills in isopropyl overnight. For the earpad mesh, I started with q-tips soaked in isopropyl, followed by paper towel with Goo Gone. Then I put the mesh under my kitchen sink at full pressure, scrubbing away at the now loosened wax (the mesh is quite resilient and didn't tear). Leave to dry. Here's a picture of the drivers under the mesh, be careful with the thin covering now exposed. Luckily the crossfades are designed to tuck in, protecting each unit while you work on the other side. Leave the screws be unless you want a deep clean... I had to use pliers attached to a screwdriver to loosen them.
4. The next day, use a toothpick to poke out the holes in the grills. Try a paper towel to remove excess gunk.
5. Reassembly, starting with the grills. They popped back in without a problem, literally clicking around the edges. Easier to remove for next time too. Don't forget to make sure your earpads are reinserted in the right direction (flat edge of the black rim = bottom of the headphone near the jack).
6. Crossfades reborn! The discolouration may be permanent but they are much cleaner and happier.
