[enfox]

Is there such a thing as light absorbing paint? I am planning on building a screen and would like to know if there is a light absorbing paint I can paint a black border around the screen with.


Thanks

 

[Trepidati0n]

Black buy itself is technically light absorbing (it relfects no light, absorbs all color). Go to the home depot and say I want the blackest black paint you can mak with a flat sheen. The stuff I justed painted with today has 12 oz of lamp black in it.


The label says Behr, Black (FD-3). I put the first coat on and the back wall already looks like a black hole. Hope to get two more coats on before the weekend is out. Hope this helps.


-tReP

 

[ridetheducati]

I use "Stealth Black" on the screen wall and "Distant Thunder" on the other 4 walls.

 

[LarryFlint]

There is a spray can paint at HD, don't remember the brand, that is labeled "blackboard paint", and is either black or gray, and supposedly turns any surface into a blacboard. I used that on my screen frame with excelent results, the spray leaves a deep black rugged surface, sort of like sand paper. The rugged surface helps the black paint diffuse the light.


LarryFlint

 

[Art Sonneborn]

Still nothing comes close to black velvet, it is a true black hole. I have a Stewart screen with it and the surrounding black Fabric ( called asphalt) is no match.


Art

 

[tonli]

I "flocked" my frame. Flocking is a term used in fine woodworking when finishing the inside of a jewelry box or draw. The result is velvety like, without the trouble of rounding corners and wrinkling.


Although it comes in many colors, black is the obvious choice. You first apply a coat of black adhesive to the frame, then, using a small cardboard tube pump, the small particles are then "sprayed" onto the adhesive. The frame must then sit for 24-48 hours, and then the excess particles can be gently brushed off. It is a messy process, but a large cardboard box, lined with plastic, can be used under portions of the frame as it is sprayed. The excess particles collect in the box and can be re-used.


The results are very durable and black.

 

[rabident]

3M use to make a paint that was textured like suede. It was used in telescopes and rifle scopes. They discontinued it in the 80's, but a German company called Mankiewicz-Coatings LLC still makes it. They appeared to have a processing plant around NC, but I couldn't locate a supplier.


Other alternatives are to apply felt or velvet to the walls. JoAnne's fabric sells rolls of velvet. Duvetyn is suppose to be better than velvet at absorbing light, although most prices I've seen were too much to do a whole room. www.rosebrand.com sells theatrical equipment including a plethora of masking fabrics, paints, and professional theater draping systems. Check out the online catalog, the website itself is fairly bland.


A 3rd possibility is to use Flocked Paper. It's paper with a layer of black peach fuzz bonded to it. You can even get it with self adhesive backing. It's used for telescopes. Edmund Scientific sells is, but for room size quantities you're much better off going for bulk discounts. It's fairly common and you shouldn't have any problems finding it.


The aerospace and supporting industries also make specialty black paints, but they're geared (and priced) more for painting your Stealth Fighter than your home theater.