[pjohnston007]

Okay, before anyone gets started on the "Pearl Silver LS is too glossy / we've tried it / do a search in the forums / this won't work" posts, listen to my story.


I called Wilsonart to find out if they produced (or could produce) a matte version of the Pearl Silver (D487-7). The rep told me he'd send me a nice, big sample of the most matte surface they made in that color.


Yesterday I received a large sample of sample D487-90 (along with a 8x11 of D487-7 for reference).


I will post screenshots soon. Here's an initial comparison (the D487-90 is the unmarked, larger sample):

It certainly doesn't hotspot nearly as bad as the gloss surface (no real surprise) and I like the color.


Another flash test:

You might see that the large sample arrived slightly bent / cracked (upper left corner in this picture). I'm somewhat annoyed, but it will not prevent this test from happening.


I'm hoping to do some screenshots of this color in action sometime this week.



What are your impressions?

 

[Paints]

Anybody that tries a different material or approach gets a big thumbs up from me. Good luck and can't wait to see some screen shots.

 

[prof55]

Great work, looking forward to your screenshots!


Garry

 

[mech]

How did this one slip under the radar? Great work pjohnston! I look forward to the testing as well! Anyone have the RGB data on it?


mech

 

[mech]

pjohnston,


Couple questions...


It looks darker than CgS, is it? How does it rate, colorwise, with the rest of your samples? Maybe a pic with the other samples as well? Do they charge for samples that size? I may have to pick one up.



I think this looks seriously promising! It's very encouraging that it doesn't hotspot! Or at least appear to via the camera flash.


mech

 

[MississippiMan]

Hmmmmm,


pjohnston007, could send me the WilsonArt contact info so I could ask for some of the larger variety samples of the Silver pearl AND the DG?


How long did it take you to get 'em after your request?

 

[MississippiMan]

If the silver element is dispersed in the manner shown (...or appears to be shown....) then I see immediate issues arising in respect to visible differences being seen as a moving image runs across the surface. You would see subtle and not so subtle shifting of contrast and colors. To avoid seeing such, it would then require a seating distance far enough back that it would effectively negate the advantage and desirability of having a Big Screen in the first place.


That's a shame if true. But a speckly silver finish carries such disadvantages.

 

[pjohnston007]

WOW! I had no idea this would generate this amount of interest!


I know that, during my initial testing, people expressed interested in the Pearl Silver, but specifically pointed out that it was too glossy and reflective.


That's why I wanted to hunt down a less reflective version of this color.


I ordered the sample by calling the hotline number on the back of a Pearl Silver LS sample (800-433-3222). I didn't record the date of the call, but the samples arrived with a sheet showing the request was created 15 January 2007 and as I stated, I received the samples yesterday (Monday, 22 January 2007). I guess that's one week, flat! Not too shabby...


All my samples are downstairs, and I am seriously knee-deep in graduate studies (semester #2), so any off-the-cuff comparisons to FG and DW will have to wait, as will any photos. Spare time for me now is a premium.


One more thing: Does anyone mind if I use my existing CgS as a backdrop for this testing? I am considering mounting the samples with masking tape (it shouldn't harm the surface of the CgS, should it?).


Oh--and something interesting: The "matte Pearl Silver" (which I hereby christen mPS) appears to be vertical grade (which perhaps explains why / how it cracked during shipment).


-p

 

[pjohnston007]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mech /forum/post/0


pjohnston,


Were the samples free or did you have to pay shipping or something like that? Keep up with your studies as far as I'm concerned, that's a heckuva lot more important than this.


As far as using CgS as a backdrop, it really doesn't matter at all as far as I'm concerned. It appears quite a bit darker than FG from wbassett's post. Can you verify that? If it is, it might be alot of work for your lower lumen pj. Don't take my word for it though, I'm not that knowledgeable. I'm just guessin.

I may have to sneek a peek through all their samples one of these days...


mech

Samples were completely free. The mPS is 14x18" and the PS reference is 8x11".


I'll see if I can do a good grab from my flatbed scanner for color/lightness/hue.


-p

 

[prof55]

I found a small sample at Home Depot, so I tested it for color. Here's the results:


Pearl Silver LS D487-07

XYZ: 46.59 47.65 54.56

Yxy: 47.65 0.3130 0.3202

RGB: 188 182 188


Very neutral, and about the same lightness as Grayhawk. I'm including a pic of the sample to make sure I've got the right stuff. Tried to take an accurate pic of the surface, but it is very difficult to photograph - the pics consistently make it look like it has more texture and color variation than it does live. This is going to be a very interesting thread!


Garry

 

[pjohnston007]

Same lightness as Grayhawk? Rock on!


Here are some flatbed scanner grabs. I have some vertical banding going on with my scanner, so all grabs here best reflect what I see with my two, blue, 20/15 eyes.

Edit: Scanned to .tif (no compression), converted to .jpg (absolute minimum compression), imported to photobucket using Flock / photobucket uploader tool.


PS (D487-07)

PS, 600dpi

mPS swatch (D487-90), 75dpi

FG, mPS grab (D487-90), 300dpi

FG, mPS grab (D487-90), 75dpi

 

[pb_maxxx]

having looked closely at a stewart firehawk... i'd say that pjohnston007 pics of the wilson art silver samples have the same type of texture.

 

[pjohnston007]

mPS swatch (D487-90), 600dpi

 

[LemurGuy]

when i saw your initial gray color tests I really hoped you'd try it out with the mPS ... The fact that the light from the scanner doesn't make it sparkle is very encouraging.


I wish i had the money to throw at testing some of these alternative gray laminates, however I can only sustain one test at a time and I'm working on black laminates with color specific reflective Gels atm.


Hope this turns out to be an awesome option ... 188, 182, 188 is about as neutral as we've seen. Keep it up PJ!

 

[Wet1]

Nice find PJ. This material has really good gain and appears to be very netural as well... looks like it could be a winner.

 

[wbassett]

Wet1... just curious, but how can you tell the gain from just the pictures?

 

[Chadci]

So glad I just ordered Fashion Gray...




Prof, Do you just take the sample tile to the paint mixers for a read out? Do they find it odd that you want the break down but not the paint?

 

[Wet1]



Quote:
Originally Posted by wbassett /forum/post/0


Wet1... just curious, but how can you tell the gain from just the pictures?

The high metallic content and the pics provided earlier.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=772920

 

[mech]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Chadci /forum/post/0


So glad I just ordered Fashion Gray...




Prof, Do you just take the sample tile to the paint mixers for a read out? Do they find it odd that you want the break down but not the paint?

If you don't take a dive sooner or later, all you're left doing is sitting around waiting for the next great thing to come out. I know, I did it for like 5 monthes.


mech

 

[mech]



Quote:
Originally Posted by prof55 /forum/post/0


I found a small sample at Home Depot, so I tested it for color. Here's the results:


Pearl Silver LS D487-07

XYZ: 46.59 47.65 54.56

Yxy: 47.65 0.3130 0.3202

RGB: 188 182 188


Very neutral, and about the same lightness as Grayhawk. I'm including a pic of the sample to make sure I've got the right stuff. Tried to take an accurate pic of the surface, but it is very difficult to photograph - the pics consistently make it look like it has more texture and color variation than it does live. This is going to be a very interesting thread!


Garry

For comparison FG's RGB is 195 188 194. How did this one slip through the cracks originally? Me thinks I'm going to have to order a sample.


pjohnston, I will not like you if I have to change laminates!!

It looks much better now that we have the color data and a better picture/scan. You original pic made it look much darker than it is.


mech