Retractable Screen Painting - The Final Development
A Short History
For those who don't know, I got involved in the DIY Screen section here at AVS Forums in the spring of 2006. After tinkering around with bed sheets and some interesting fabrics I ran across East Porters and the very inexpensive EluneVision screens they were selling. The screens were only available in white and I knew I needed a gray screen. Initially I purchased a 120" 16:9 screen with the intension of replacing the fabric if the white did not work well. I figured the electric motor and RF remote justified the $250 price tag, so I took a chance.
As expected the white fabric was unacceptable to me so I started to investigate ways to improve my screen. Somewhere along the line the notion of painting the screen arose. if I recall correctly, someone on the screens forum over at Projector Central pointed me in the direction of AVS and the DIY Screens section. I had been keeping a log at Projector Central called Tiddler’s Home Theatre Integration Adventure. So I came to this forum and asked the question "Can you paint a retractable screen?".
I had many good suggestions from knowledgeable members here but ultimately I had to answer the question myself. Realizing that painting a retractable screen surface is a one shot deal, I started to investigate the various paint mixes that were being presented here. After much tinkering I finally settled on a solution and painted the first screen. In an effort to avoid the usual curling caused by painting one side of a flexible material I applied several coats to each side of the screen. It was way too stiff and the material would not flatten out completely when down. I added lead bird shot to the bottom bar which did help flatten out the surface. I was still not satisfied and I decided to get another EluneVision screen and paint it.
By inverting this image you can more clearly see both the horizontal waves down the screen surface and the usual V waves in the upper corners:
Click image to enlarge.
The second time I only applied one primer coat, two EsyFlex-06 gray base coats and two coats of Behr matte Polyurethane #780. I did not apply any paint to the back of the screen. Again the material is a bit too stiff, but nowhere near as bad as the first screen.
I found a location to hang the first screen in the basement. The second screen was of course mounted in the living room where we could use it. The reason for mounting the first screen was so that I could lower and raise it regularly. You see most people expected the paint would crack. I have been lowering and raising these screens for about a year now and there is no sign of cracking anywhere on them.
Then I did some sheen experiments with Behr paint products. In the process it was demonstrated just how well a flat paint could hide roughness in a screen surface. The screen I had painted had a polyurethane top coat and therefore had some gain and some reduction in viewing cone. This lead to the waves and bumps in the screen being quite visible during bright scenes. It was at that time I realized I should have used a flat or matte paint on the screens.
Behr had just introduced a new exterior paint Premium Plus Ultra™ Exterior Flat #4850 that had caught my eye one day while wondering around in Home Depot. I decided to try applying two coats of this exterior paint to my first screen that was hanging in the basement. I figured that if the matte finish made the waves in that screen disappear then the second smoother screen would look great if repainted with a matte finish paint. The matte finish paint did indeed hide all but the very worst of the waves in the screen. The waves are only visible on very bright uni-color scenes that are panning. The fact that exterior paints are also UV resistant, and flexible to withstand expansion and shrinkage due to temperature changes was a bonus. This particular Behr exterior paint is also self-priming and it levels out very well.
So now I think I finally have the answers to if and how to paint a retractable screen. With the use of a self-priming exterior paint it should be possible to paint a retractable screen with only two coats. This should result in a more flexible screen surface that will not show waves or bumps. Indeed I will paint the second screen this way. It will no doubt benefit from the matte neutral gray finish. BUT! It will have a total of 7 coats of paint on it. So while it will be an improvement over the first screen it will not be as good as it could be if I were starting over with my current knowledge and experience. I also do not feel comfortable presenting a solution that I have not implemented myself.
That realization lead me to take a peak at the East Porters website to see if the current EluneVision Value Line of screens was actually the original screen mechanically. It turns out that they are the same as the screens I have and they still have a few in stock. They only come in a white as before and the price is still under $250 for a 120" 16:9 remote controlled motorized screen. So I could not resist the opportunity to finally do it right and document the process.
This thread will represent The Final Solution for painting a retractable screen. I will be rolling the paint on but there is no reason why you could not or should not consider spray painting the screen if you are so equipped.
WHY!?
This is often the first question that comes to mind when the topic of painting a retractable screen comes up. In my case the screen is white and I want a neutral gray. I know that I am purchasing white screens and painting them gray but I do not really advocate that. What I do advocate is that if you have a retractable screen that you are unhappy with and you will most likely discard it, then maybe painting it would be a very cost effective alternative. It will only cost about $25 for the paint, masking tape, etc. It could result in a screen that will produce a very satisfying image and save a bit of space in the local land fill. So why not take a chance and try your hand at it.
Considerations & Limitations
The most important thing to consider is that the screen will need to remain extended for at least a week and possibly as long as a month. If you only plan on painting the screen surface, then you might get away with a week. It is best to let the paint not only dry but cure before you roll the screen up. If you plan on painting the border then you need at least a week to let the border paint dry before you can mask it to paint the screen area. Then another week minimum to allow the screen pain to dry. By the time you are done it could be a month before you roll the screen up again.
Painting could be a good remedy for a screen that is soiled or discolored. It may not be so effective on a very rough or damaged surface. Matte and flat paints are quite effective at hiding surface blemishes as these photos demonstrate . . .
Click images to enlarge.
. . . but it is hard to say if a repaired rip will show or not. So you should keep your expectations reasonable.
A Short History
For those who don't know, I got involved in the DIY Screen section here at AVS Forums in the spring of 2006. After tinkering around with bed sheets and some interesting fabrics I ran across East Porters and the very inexpensive EluneVision screens they were selling. The screens were only available in white and I knew I needed a gray screen. Initially I purchased a 120" 16:9 screen with the intension of replacing the fabric if the white did not work well. I figured the electric motor and RF remote justified the $250 price tag, so I took a chance.
As expected the white fabric was unacceptable to me so I started to investigate ways to improve my screen. Somewhere along the line the notion of painting the screen arose. if I recall correctly, someone on the screens forum over at Projector Central pointed me in the direction of AVS and the DIY Screens section. I had been keeping a log at Projector Central called Tiddler’s Home Theatre Integration Adventure. So I came to this forum and asked the question "Can you paint a retractable screen?".
I had many good suggestions from knowledgeable members here but ultimately I had to answer the question myself. Realizing that painting a retractable screen surface is a one shot deal, I started to investigate the various paint mixes that were being presented here. After much tinkering I finally settled on a solution and painted the first screen. In an effort to avoid the usual curling caused by painting one side of a flexible material I applied several coats to each side of the screen. It was way too stiff and the material would not flatten out completely when down. I added lead bird shot to the bottom bar which did help flatten out the surface. I was still not satisfied and I decided to get another EluneVision screen and paint it.
By inverting this image you can more clearly see both the horizontal waves down the screen surface and the usual V waves in the upper corners:
Click image to enlarge.
The second time I only applied one primer coat, two EsyFlex-06 gray base coats and two coats of Behr matte Polyurethane #780. I did not apply any paint to the back of the screen. Again the material is a bit too stiff, but nowhere near as bad as the first screen.
I found a location to hang the first screen in the basement. The second screen was of course mounted in the living room where we could use it. The reason for mounting the first screen was so that I could lower and raise it regularly. You see most people expected the paint would crack. I have been lowering and raising these screens for about a year now and there is no sign of cracking anywhere on them.
Then I did some sheen experiments with Behr paint products. In the process it was demonstrated just how well a flat paint could hide roughness in a screen surface. The screen I had painted had a polyurethane top coat and therefore had some gain and some reduction in viewing cone. This lead to the waves and bumps in the screen being quite visible during bright scenes. It was at that time I realized I should have used a flat or matte paint on the screens.
Behr had just introduced a new exterior paint Premium Plus Ultra™ Exterior Flat #4850 that had caught my eye one day while wondering around in Home Depot. I decided to try applying two coats of this exterior paint to my first screen that was hanging in the basement. I figured that if the matte finish made the waves in that screen disappear then the second smoother screen would look great if repainted with a matte finish paint. The matte finish paint did indeed hide all but the very worst of the waves in the screen. The waves are only visible on very bright uni-color scenes that are panning. The fact that exterior paints are also UV resistant, and flexible to withstand expansion and shrinkage due to temperature changes was a bonus. This particular Behr exterior paint is also self-priming and it levels out very well.
So now I think I finally have the answers to if and how to paint a retractable screen. With the use of a self-priming exterior paint it should be possible to paint a retractable screen with only two coats. This should result in a more flexible screen surface that will not show waves or bumps. Indeed I will paint the second screen this way. It will no doubt benefit from the matte neutral gray finish. BUT! It will have a total of 7 coats of paint on it. So while it will be an improvement over the first screen it will not be as good as it could be if I were starting over with my current knowledge and experience. I also do not feel comfortable presenting a solution that I have not implemented myself.
That realization lead me to take a peak at the East Porters website to see if the current EluneVision Value Line of screens was actually the original screen mechanically. It turns out that they are the same as the screens I have and they still have a few in stock. They only come in a white as before and the price is still under $250 for a 120" 16:9 remote controlled motorized screen. So I could not resist the opportunity to finally do it right and document the process.
This thread will represent The Final Solution for painting a retractable screen. I will be rolling the paint on but there is no reason why you could not or should not consider spray painting the screen if you are so equipped.
WHY!?
This is often the first question that comes to mind when the topic of painting a retractable screen comes up. In my case the screen is white and I want a neutral gray. I know that I am purchasing white screens and painting them gray but I do not really advocate that. What I do advocate is that if you have a retractable screen that you are unhappy with and you will most likely discard it, then maybe painting it would be a very cost effective alternative. It will only cost about $25 for the paint, masking tape, etc. It could result in a screen that will produce a very satisfying image and save a bit of space in the local land fill. So why not take a chance and try your hand at it.
Considerations & Limitations
The most important thing to consider is that the screen will need to remain extended for at least a week and possibly as long as a month. If you only plan on painting the screen surface, then you might get away with a week. It is best to let the paint not only dry but cure before you roll the screen up. If you plan on painting the border then you need at least a week to let the border paint dry before you can mask it to paint the screen area. Then another week minimum to allow the screen pain to dry. By the time you are done it could be a month before you roll the screen up again.
Painting could be a good remedy for a screen that is soiled or discolored. It may not be so effective on a very rough or damaged surface. Matte and flat paints are quite effective at hiding surface blemishes as these photos demonstrate . . .
Click images to enlarge.
. . . but it is hard to say if a repaired rip will show or not. So you should keep your expectations reasonable.