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Best paint to use for a DIY screen?

post #1 of 20
9/1/05 at 9:02pm
Thread Starter 
I hope I have the right area, but can someone tell me what is the best paint to use for a DIY screen for a FP? I can't really afford Goo Screen right now, but will upgrade later on to either that or a real screen.

My screen right now is something called 'Midtown Grey' but I would like to change it, i've heard of others in the past use other shades from Home Depot, they even provided color mixuture formula's.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated, thanks.
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post #2 of 20
9/1/05 at 11:05pm
There are many opinions on the "shade" to use, but I just went with the Behr SilverScreen at Home Depot and I haven't felt the need to change it in over a year. You really can't go wrong with this "neutral" color.
JP
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post #3 of 20
9/2/05 at 6:36am
The Screen section at AVS has a DIY sub-section. If you can get past some of the bickering between the prolific posters, there's a ton of good information there. People not only post "colors" they post the mixing information and instructions on applying it. There's also a bunch of pictures with examples of each.

-Robert
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post #4 of 20
9/2/05 at 11:11am
What projector do you have? This may determine a shade to consider.
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post #5 of 20
9/2/05 at 11:33am
Thread Starter 
I have the Infocus X-1.
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post #6 of 20
9/2/05 at 3:57pm
i am very statisfied with behr silverscreen painted onto drywall. It could be an option.
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post #7 of 20
9/2/05 at 8:48pm
Thread Starter 
Hmmm, okay, I think i'm going to go with the Behr silverscreen, even the name is appropriate.

Thank's fella's.
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post #8 of 20
9/11/07 at 2:01pm

Re: Best paint to use for a DIY screen?

Quote:
Originally Posted by JimPeitersen
There are many opinions on the "shade" to use, but I just went with the Behr SilverScreen at Home Depot and I haven't felt the need to change it in over a year. You really can't go wrong with this "neutral" color.
JP
Much has happened in the DIY Screen Paint world since 2005. I have been in touch with the folks at the Behr Color Laboratory in California and they have stated that the "Silver Screen" tint is not formulated to be a neutral gray or used as a screen paint. It's just a name.
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post #9 of 20
9/11/07 at 2:03pm

Re: Best paint to use for a DIY screen?

Color testing has also shown that Behr "Silver Screen" is not neutral. Actually Behr "Sterling" 780E is closer to neutral. Having said that, there is something you can do to make that "Silver Screen" painted screen better. I stumbled upon an enhancement that works exceptionally well on "Silver Screen". I tried applying Behr Matte Polyurethane #780 over a sample panel of SS hoping it would not adversely effect it but provide a protective coating. Much to my surprise it gave a nice gain boost, helped to neutralize the gray, did not effect the black performance, and added a nice protective coating to boot.
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post #10 of 20
9/11/07 at 2:08pm

Re: Best paint to use for a DIY screen?

Now if you have not already used Behr "Silver Screen" or you want to improve the image then you will be interested to know that I have also worked with an individual that has all the color test equipment and worked out near neutral tints for Behr UPW #1050.

I have determined that the right ratio of Lamp Black to Yellow Oxide will produce a near neutral gray. For example:

==============
Quart Custom Tint
Behr UPW Flat #1050
0 5 0 Lamp Black
0 2 0 Yellow Oxide
==============

For something closer in darkness to the "Silver Screen" then go with:

==============
Quart Custom Tint
Behr UPW Flat #1050
0 7 0 Lamp Black
0 3 0 Yellow Oxide
==============

If you want a lighter gray then cut the formula in half:

==============
Quart Custom Tint
Behr UPW Flat #1050
0 2 1 Lamp Black
0 1 0 Yellow Oxide
==============

Just take one of these tint formulas to a Behr dealer (Home Depot) and they will mix it up for you.
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post #11 of 20
9/11/07 at 2:11pm

Re: Best paint to use for a DIY screen?

What about that Behr Matte Polyurethane #780 top coat with this tint. It also works well over a proper near neutral gray. It will maintain the blacks and boost the gain gently improving whites and flesh tones. Look for this Behr product in the Faux Finishes department of your local Home Depot. If the clerk says they don't sell it the ask to see the Behr Faux Glaze. The "BEHR PREMIUM PLUS WITH STYLE® Crystal Clear Water Based Polyurethane No. 780" will be right next to it.
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post #12 of 20
9/11/07 at 2:15pm

Re: Best paint to use for a DIY screen?

If you don't want to fool around with polyurethane top coats then I have an answer for that also.

The first alternate is a new Behr product call "Premium Plus Ultra™ Exterior Flat Ultra Pure White #4850". This is a self priming exterior paint that is not quite as flat as the regular UPW #1050. It therefore produces a brighter picture while maintaining the blacks. It is very durable and flexible. This would be an excellent choice for anyone wanting to paint a retractable screen.
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post #13 of 20
9/11/07 at 2:17pm

Re: Best paint to use for a DIY screen?

Another good one can solution is the "PREMIUM PLUS® Interior Flat Enamel
Ultra Pure White #1850". It has more sheen than the regular UPW #1050 and is very washable. It will produce a much brighter image while not adversely effecting black levels.
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post #14 of 20
9/11/07 at 2:19pm

Re: Best paint to use for a DIY screen?

Here is a tip for someone with a rough surface to use as a screen. A flat paint will not show surface roughness in the image. If this is of interest then ask me about it when I get my 10 posts in and can show you.
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post #15 of 20
9/11/07 at 2:22pm

Re: Best paint to use for a DIY screen?

For those of you who may be a little more adventurous and want more gain there are pearl clear coats. This is the Behr Matte Polyurethane #780 with some mica flakes added. The best choice I have found at local retailers is the Folkart Pearlizing Medium. Simply add one 2oz. bottle to the quart of polyurethane and stir well. If this is of interest then let me know and I will provide more details and application instructions.
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post #16 of 20
9/11/07 at 2:24pm

Re: Best paint to use for a DIY screen?

It is very important to stir the polyurethane very well with a drill attachment. There are flattening agents in the polyurethane that settle out to the bottom of the can. If you do not stir it well then it will not be a matte finish and you wil get hot spotting problems.
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post #17 of 20
9/11/07 at 3:32pm

Re: Best paint to use for a DIY screen?

Inspector, does it have to be a painted screen? I've been happily running an X1 with plain blackout cloth stretched over a homemade screen for 3+ years. I've got samples from Dalite and Carada that I've never been motivated enough to take them time to compare against the BO cloth.

I'd also take a look at the laminate screen threads while you're at AVS. I'm interested in trying the Wilsonart DW material myself. Someone's measurements showed it to be 1.2 to 1.4 gain on axis, IIRC.

-Brent
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post #18 of 20
9/11/07 at 3:39pm

Re: Best paint to use for a DIY screen?

I need one more post to start showing you screen shots.
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post #19 of 20
9/11/07 at 3:40pm

Re: Best paint to use for a DIY screen?

Actually the originator of the Laminates thread at AVS is now posting information on the Laminates in the The Laminate Screen Thread (Data and detailed information). There are also some very good screens in the Laminates Showcase thread.
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post #20 of 20
9/11/07 at 3:50pm

Re: Best paint to use for a DIY screen?

Now for a picture of poly over "Silver Screen":



Notice how much brighter the right half is. The screen behind the test panel is a near neutral gray with a ploy top coat.
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