Hey everyone.

I'm currently in the middle of a dedicated HT build and I've stumbled into an issue with light reflection. Under my fixed screen is a 2' wide custom cabinet system that I had built to hold my speakers and components. The cabinets are black and look great except the top surface is reflecting a little screen light and distracting me.

I've tried refinishing the surface with a flat paint and that reduced the reflection, but now every time you touch the surface you leave a mark. Basically durability is lost. I have plenty of GOM leftover and I could cover it, but I'm afraid contact with the GOM would result in tears and damage. I've thought about carpet but I would think that would look cheesy. Would velvet work and look nice?

If anyone has experience with this issue I'd love to get any advice you may have.

Al
Fairfax, VA

How about and interior decorator's touch?

Get some very black fabric .. GOM is ok...there's others. Cut out for a table cloth like affair that runs across the top of the cabinet and hangs down over the sides. Get the edges hemmed, add some fringe, gimp, whatever to the edges hanging over the sides of the cabinet.

One vote black velvet.

I'd recommend covering with black suede or alcantra. Both materials are heavily used on high-end automobile and race-car dashboards to reduce sun glare. They are also used on automobile seats due to durability so ripping shouldn't be a concern either.

Velvet looks cheap IMO.

Another vote for black velvet. I used it.

one vote black velvet.+1

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_poX565Xasl0/SPMq-4Ng79I/AAAAAAAAAzU/KCBEnUmOsVk/s400/BlackVelvet.jpg

Sounds like velvet it is. Is this something I can get from the local fabric store or is there a specialized brand like GOM I should be looking for?

Also, the surrounding wall around the screen is flat black right now (paint), should I consider velvet on the walls as well?

The black GOM most often used is FR701 black. It can also be used in front of speakers. Many complain that it looks like burlap. Guilford of Maine also has other styles of fabric that are more refined such as Anchorage. You can order free samples on their web site.

I have black FR701 GOM surrounding my screen making up a false wall and you can see pics in my thread.

For the top of the cabinet I would personally go with a Black velvet and it will look similar to the black frame border used for screens.

I mixed 1/2 flat black and 1/2 semi gloss black and painted the wood shadow box top that sits under my screen. It looks much nicer than the pure flat and I am not experiencing any distracting sheen--even with a Studiotek 130 white screen. Black velvet would definitely be best, but I found that the 50/50 paint mix worked well for my purposes.

I'd post a pic for you but I am in "harddrive crash hell" right now, trying to get all my photos back:mad:

Fidelio Velvet is preferred due to the depth of black.... but it's fairly expensive. For what you are trying to do, I would just get a piece of black velvet from walmart or Joann fabrics and see if you like it.

How about and interior decorator's touch?

Get some very black fabric .. GOM is ok...there's others. Cut out for a table cloth like affair that runs across the top of the cabinet and hangs down over the sides. Get the edges hemmed, add some fringe, gimp, whatever to the edges hanging over the sides of the cabinet.


If you're not the Martha Stewart type like Dennis :rolleyes:, you can just buy a black runner here (http://www.surlatable.com/gs/black-venetian-tablecloths-runners-tablecloths-runners-linens-tabletop-serving-4.shtml) or get a custom made one here (http://www.tableclothdesigns.com/table_runners.html)

Or you could go quick/easy and put some of this on:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_FqTNmgNQHz8/SbCDZti-mPI/AAAAAAAAEIA/T0PxfT2epIk/s400/IMG_1436.JPG

discussed in this thread:
Best way to wipe dust marks off Behr Paint... (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15831128#post15831128)