my 1st Diy screen was a custom made 77inch wide 52 inch high , 1st layer beige vinyl( i dont think its blackout) second layer white bedsheet. this was a good begginer screen, but it was lacking.
so i spray painted the bedsheet.....Metallic Alumunum...at 1st i saw AMAZING results but not for the WHOLE screen since i messed up on the paint job, the toning was wrong and it was ugly lookin.... so i scrapped that one
my 3rd and current screen is the beige vinyl, i used it without painting it to do some tests and it looked nice, but dark.
So i sprayed it wiht Metalic aluminum #273 (touch N tone) and the results were even MORE AMAZING THEN BEFORE!!!
the ratio increasd, the gain increased the picture was more lush and vivid, it was like the picture was POPING out the screen.( i hope im not exxagerating lol) well any ways the results are good.
ok well heres the bad part....
my vinyl isnt straight....IM PISSED!!!!!! grrrr😡 i tried many times to stretch it correctly and failed....and i would like to know if any one had the same problem wiht their screens...?...?
the picture would be SOOoOO great if this thing werent so damn wrinkled...
i think im going to get a new kind of material...or maybe i can buy a STRAIGHT plywood or mdf, but i dont know where to get them.
i would really appreciate your thoughts on this and help.
Thanks
-JimmY-
****EDIT***
Oh yeah! i got my ideas from this site.... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=240074 i found that metalic alluminum would be a "wise" choice.. take a look 🙂
*****EDIT****
so i spray painted the bedsheet.....Metallic Alumunum...at 1st i saw AMAZING results but not for the WHOLE screen since i messed up on the paint job, the toning was wrong and it was ugly lookin.... so i scrapped that one
my 3rd and current screen is the beige vinyl, i used it without painting it to do some tests and it looked nice, but dark.
So i sprayed it wiht Metalic aluminum #273 (touch N tone) and the results were even MORE AMAZING THEN BEFORE!!!
the ratio increasd, the gain increased the picture was more lush and vivid, it was like the picture was POPING out the screen.( i hope im not exxagerating lol) well any ways the results are good.ok well heres the bad part....
my vinyl isnt straight....IM PISSED!!!!!! grrrr😡 i tried many times to stretch it correctly and failed....and i would like to know if any one had the same problem wiht their screens...?...?
the picture would be SOOoOO great if this thing werent so damn wrinkled...
i think im going to get a new kind of material...or maybe i can buy a STRAIGHT plywood or mdf, but i dont know where to get them.i would really appreciate your thoughts on this and help.
Thanks
-JimmY-
****EDIT***
Oh yeah! i got my ideas from this site.... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=240074 i found that metalic alluminum would be a "wise" choice.. take a look 🙂
*****EDIT****
When you mention stretching the screen, my thoughts went to a job I did restretching the cloth on my pool table. I was informed at that time to apply a spray on contact cement glue to one surface (edges of table top slate) and attach the other surface(cloth) to it by pressing it and smoothing. When one edge was glued you go to the other end and repeat the procedure but stretching it tight to remove wrinkles. The key is to only apply the contact cement spray to one surface(Frame of screen). This allows the screen material to be lifted away when you need to adjust for any wrinkles that need that final tweak. 
Beware, if you make the mistake of putting contact cement on both surfaces, (Screen and Frame)they are permanently stuck together. The purpose of the contact cement is to hold things inplace until you have it perfect, then you can attach the screen to the frame permanently with fasteners of your choice. It can be a tedious job, but the results are very satisfying. At least they are for pool tables
Beware, if you make the mistake of putting contact cement on both surfaces, (Screen and Frame)they are permanently stuck together. The purpose of the contact cement is to hold things inplace until you have it perfect, then you can attach the screen to the frame permanently with fasteners of your choice. It can be a tedious job, but the results are very satisfying. At least they are for pool tablesyou can rip up two parts even if each part was glued.. but it is hard to do.
negative - why don't you go with Ron's idea for the parkland plastics screen on AVS?
negative - why don't you go with Ron's idea for the parkland plastics screen on AVS?
sprayer,contact cement............pool table..im afraid i dont have all those tools lol.
secondly, ummm.......whos ron? lol
i would love to go with a plas-tex screen but i dont have any stores that supply them in my area, no lowes or home depot...🙁
if u guys know where i can get it online for cheap i would liek to know 😉
the material im using i dont knwo WHAT it is...i dont think its blackout becuase its VERRRYY heavy and its imposible to make it straight(un wrinkled) i think im goin to use my wall for now...untill i see a good screen idea that i can order online...
thanks for your input guys, i appreciate it :-D
-JimmY-
secondly, ummm.......whos ron? lol
i would love to go with a plas-tex screen but i dont have any stores that supply them in my area, no lowes or home depot...🙁
if u guys know where i can get it online for cheap i would liek to know 😉
the material im using i dont knwo WHAT it is...i dont think its blackout becuase its VERRRYY heavy and its imposible to make it straight(un wrinkled) i think im goin to use my wall for now...untill i see a good screen idea that i can order online...
thanks for your input guys, i appreciate it :-D
-JimmY-
My first screen (which broke during my move) was just blackout cloth wrapped around a frame I made with 3/4"x3/4" pine. I looked like a painter's canvas. I mixed a tiny amount of black gesso with a bunch of white gesso, painted it with a roller, waited a day, painted a second coat, and I had beatiful screen that I could mount speakers behind (something you can't really do with a screen made out of solid material).
I had made the screen before I made my projector. Only now can I truely appreciate what I had. I'm using a white wall right now, and it is terrible.
My new screen will be quite a bit larger. The challenge before me is to find someone who will stitch two rolls of blackout cloth together. According to Zardoz, as well as several others here and on avsforums, the seam is completely invisible.
I had made the screen before I made my projector. Only now can I truely appreciate what I had. I'm using a white wall right now, and it is terrible.
My new screen will be quite a bit larger. The challenge before me is to find someone who will stitch two rolls of blackout cloth together. According to Zardoz, as well as several others here and on avsforums, the seam is completely invisible.
I keep reading about how bad the image is when it's projected on to a plain white wall. I use a plain white wall. I didn't think my image was that bad.
What's the difference whether you use blackout or a wall, if you're going to paint it anyways? I wish I could see someone else's screens to compare. Is it the texture? What kind of texture is ideal?
Too bad there isn't a local do-it-yourself club where we could bring our screens to compare.
Did you all see the screen comparison on the AVS Forum? It covers a lot of screens. He seemed impressed with the Metallic Aluminum paint. But some people don't seem to be. I'll have to try it myself.
What's the difference whether you use blackout or a wall, if you're going to paint it anyways? I wish I could see someone else's screens to compare. Is it the texture? What kind of texture is ideal?
Too bad there isn't a local do-it-yourself club where we could bring our screens to compare.
Did you all see the screen comparison on the AVS Forum? It covers a lot of screens. He seemed impressed with the Metallic Aluminum paint. But some people don't seem to be. I'll have to try it myself.
I'm telling you guys....go get a scrap piece of "Dacron" sailcloth (for a sailboat sail) I had a 10ft by 8 foot screen made for $150.00 cdn. Included was a black felt tape sewn around the perimeter. VERY strong...so strong you could stretch it screamin tight if you felt the need to. The material has a "sheen" to it. Only reason I'm not still using it is because I got that big motorized job for a song.
The guys that made it are here in Nova Scotia "Bridgeport Wire Rope and Chain" They also made semi trailer tarps..and oh yeah...movie screens for the local cinemas ( made out of dacron sail cloth ).
zardoz
The guys that made it are here in Nova Scotia "Bridgeport Wire Rope and Chain" They also made semi trailer tarps..and oh yeah...movie screens for the local cinemas ( made out of dacron sail cloth ).
zardoz
everyone should consider getting a pull down da-lite matte white screen. you will spend just as much money making your own screen as you will buying a real one. plus you will save a lot of frustration.
i thinkt he best diy method for building a screen is simply painting it on the wall... of course, this works best if you have nothing but a plain wall where you are showing the image.
i thinkt he best diy method for building a screen is simply painting it on the wall... of course, this works best if you have nothing but a plain wall where you are showing the image.
I tried the metallic silver paint today. I painted my original 72" wooden screen with Krylon Metallic Silver spray paint.
Let me tell you, this is no typical DIY job. My spray job looks like sh_t. But I have enough of the screen covered with Metallic Silver to test it out.
During my test, I could tell the colors were more brilliant. But there is no way I could spray my 100" wall screen with a spray can. I wonder if this Metallic Silver spray paint comes in a liquid form that I can just roll on. I might try that can of Pearlescent white paint that I bought earlier.
I ruined my 72" screen with my botched spray paint job. The Metallic Silver is worth it if you are an expert spray painter.
That's my review.
have a nice day.
Let me tell you, this is no typical DIY job. My spray job looks like sh_t. But I have enough of the screen covered with Metallic Silver to test it out.
During my test, I could tell the colors were more brilliant. But there is no way I could spray my 100" wall screen with a spray can. I wonder if this Metallic Silver spray paint comes in a liquid form that I can just roll on. I might try that can of Pearlescent white paint that I bought earlier.
I ruined my 72" screen with my botched spray paint job. The Metallic Silver is worth it if you are an expert spray painter.
That's my review.
have a nice day.
Excellent idea Zardoz, I just might try the dacron sail. How was the viewing at an angle for that screen, and I assume it is relatively light weight?
Viewing angle
I can't say first hand how wide of a viewing angle it gives (because MY chair is in PRIMO spot 😉 ) I can say though that my wife who is in something less than a PRIME viewing spot, was quite impressed. Yes it's very lightweight material, I was at first concerned about it being able to allow light to pass through it, this has not shown itself to be a problem ( as I said it's slightly "reflective" ) so I think it "bounces more light than it passes" There is a possibillity it might even work for "rear projection" allthough I haven't tested this theory. Currently there is "velcro" sewn along the backside of the top and bottom of the screen, in retrospect I would have this on ALL sides (easy enough to have it added to the remaining 2 sides) to make it easier to stretch onto a frame. I'm not using my Dacron screen anymore, I used it to watch a whole 2 movies (got the fancy motorized screen cheap) If you are interested I might sell it. I'd sell it for the original cost plus shipping (shipping should be prety cheap between us)
I can't say first hand how wide of a viewing angle it gives (because MY chair is in PRIMO spot 😉 ) I can say though that my wife who is in something less than a PRIME viewing spot, was quite impressed. Yes it's very lightweight material, I was at first concerned about it being able to allow light to pass through it, this has not shown itself to be a problem ( as I said it's slightly "reflective" ) so I think it "bounces more light than it passes" There is a possibillity it might even work for "rear projection" allthough I haven't tested this theory. Currently there is "velcro" sewn along the backside of the top and bottom of the screen, in retrospect I would have this on ALL sides (easy enough to have it added to the remaining 2 sides) to make it easier to stretch onto a frame. I'm not using my Dacron screen anymore, I used it to watch a whole 2 movies (got the fancy motorized screen cheap) If you are interested I might sell it. I'd sell it for the original cost plus shipping (shipping should be prety cheap between us)
sparkmaker said:
i've been doing some more tests on the metalic screen and im having second thoughts on it. yes it looks brilliant and all that....but the viewing angle and light angle or keystone (i THINK thats what keystone is) viewing angle is HORRIBLE it loks pixelated at certain angles and my room is SMALL! i think "maybe" if i add more coats this may be fixed, i only have one coat. the light or keystone is bad as well, since my light source isnt straight, my OHP mirror is pointed at 50-60 degrees up( guesstimate) when i stand and am farthest away from screen image looks best if i sit it looks bad and if i veer to right it looks HORRID. im thinking that if i add one more coat (and finish the rest of my can 🙂 ) AND spray it white that i can get a good pic...im THINKING....since the metalic has a luster i think the luster will stay even if painted white...therefore making it metalic white...
ok i did some more tests, and i found that my wall was INDEED BETTER than my bedsheet/vinyl it was more reflective and so on. to the naked eye the bedsheet/vinyl appear better to me but i found that the wall was better. but the wall has light problems too or keystone...or is it called hotspots... well wat ever it is called, some parts seemed brighter than others particularly the bottom is usually brighter.
Zardoz, i thought nova scotia was in russia
lol... i dont think i will ever spend 150$ for a diy screen, i would much rather buy a real one for WAY cheaper, my current Diy screen 77 wide 52 high all together cost me less then 36$
kl899, "i thinkt the best diy method for building a screen is simply painting it on the wall..." my mom would KILL me if i paint my room wall... lol and my wall has many holes and stuff...from nails and pictures....adn stuff....
well i hope i didnt write too much
.....lol
if u guys have any idea...
or thoughts feel free
-JimmY-
ok i did some more tests, and i found that my wall was INDEED BETTER than my bedsheet/vinyl it was more reflective and so on. to the naked eye the bedsheet/vinyl appear better to me but i found that the wall was better. but the wall has light problems too or keystone...or is it called hotspots... well wat ever it is called, some parts seemed brighter than others particularly the bottom is usually brighter.
Zardoz, i thought nova scotia was in russia
lol... i dont think i will ever spend 150$ for a diy screen, i would much rather buy a real one for WAY cheaper, my current Diy screen 77 wide 52 high all together cost me less then 36$kl899, "i thinkt the best diy method for building a screen is simply painting it on the wall..." my mom would KILL me if i paint my room wall... lol and my wall has many holes and stuff...from nails and pictures....adn stuff....
well i hope i didnt write too much
.....lolif u guys have any idea...
or thoughts feel free -JimmY-
Negative Design
"Zardoz, i thought nova scotia was in russia lol... i dont think i will ever spend 150$ for a diy screen, i would much rather buy a real one for WAY cheaper, my current Diy screen 77 wide 52 high all together cost me less then 36$"
Turn your US bucks into Canadian bucks..an ...viola... $75 CDN spent on a screen that is a fair piece smaller than 120 wide by 96 tall, sometimes it's a matter of Geography and political economics.
BTW the cheapest screen from "Staples" 60" X 60 " $183.44 plus taxes (too tiny for my likes) next one up? 70" X 70" $229.99 plus taxes ( still too tiny...GO BIG OR GO HOME! my motto 😉 )
And just to let you know..this is how the invoice reads for my dacron screen.
"Dacron Video Screen 8' X 10'
(projection screen material)
To have binding around perimeter"
As I said.. this is the same material used for Many Theatres..ie: cineplex. The folks in the "drive in industry" used to use less sofisticated material (plain ol sail cloth) on their outdoor screens. It was applied similar to how "billboards" are changed (glued and rolled on).
What does this mean? below...The last sentence implies that you used another technique other than "the naked eye" to declare the wall as a better choice?
"ok i did some more tests, and i found that my wall was INDEED BETTER than my bedsheet/vinyl it was more reflective and so on. to the naked eye the bedsheet/vinyl appear better to me but i found that the wall was better."
And after all of your "tests" and multiple coats of paint you still aren't all that pleased it seems. When will you reach the level of expenditures I have? If you double the cost of your current expenses... then convert that into Canadian funds...you will see you have spent roughly $150.00 Canadian. For a smaller screen.
Hmmm do you see where I am going here?
zardoz
"Zardoz, i thought nova scotia was in russia lol... i dont think i will ever spend 150$ for a diy screen, i would much rather buy a real one for WAY cheaper, my current Diy screen 77 wide 52 high all together cost me less then 36$"
Turn your US bucks into Canadian bucks..an ...viola... $75 CDN spent on a screen that is a fair piece smaller than 120 wide by 96 tall, sometimes it's a matter of Geography and political economics.
BTW the cheapest screen from "Staples" 60" X 60 " $183.44 plus taxes (too tiny for my likes) next one up? 70" X 70" $229.99 plus taxes ( still too tiny...GO BIG OR GO HOME! my motto 😉 )
And just to let you know..this is how the invoice reads for my dacron screen.
"Dacron Video Screen 8' X 10'
(projection screen material)
To have binding around perimeter"
As I said.. this is the same material used for Many Theatres..ie: cineplex. The folks in the "drive in industry" used to use less sofisticated material (plain ol sail cloth) on their outdoor screens. It was applied similar to how "billboards" are changed (glued and rolled on).
What does this mean? below...The last sentence implies that you used another technique other than "the naked eye" to declare the wall as a better choice?
"ok i did some more tests, and i found that my wall was INDEED BETTER than my bedsheet/vinyl it was more reflective and so on. to the naked eye the bedsheet/vinyl appear better to me but i found that the wall was better."
And after all of your "tests" and multiple coats of paint you still aren't all that pleased it seems. When will you reach the level of expenditures I have? If you double the cost of your current expenses... then convert that into Canadian funds...you will see you have spent roughly $150.00 Canadian. For a smaller screen.
Hmmm do you see where I am going here?
zardoz
great motto, i agree with it, i will NEVER go to a retail store to buy any projection material/screens and so forth when i can get it cheaper at ebay 🙂 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2920121558&category=30089
im sorry i wasnt thinkin about the currency difference i guess u got a good deal. im happy with my screen size since i cant get a larger one even if i wanted to, im 19 and i live with my mommy (yea i said it! lol) i share a small room with my cousin and i dont have enough space for a 8x10 screen my image right now doesnt even take the WHOLE screen since my OHP is near the screen i get HALF the screen.
and about the "naked eye" thing. i meant...it depends on how u look at it...its kinda complicated i cant explain it .... i didnt use binoculars or microscopes... im sorry if it sounded that way lol
"expenditures" i had to get a dictionary for that one...sounds like soemthing a lawyer would say :-D lol
well i watched Star wars Ep2 last night on my wall and i have no complaints.... for less than 36$ im happy with my progress....i just want to do some experiments that all..
im sorry i wasnt thinkin about the currency difference i guess u got a good deal. im happy with my screen size since i cant get a larger one even if i wanted to, im 19 and i live with my mommy (yea i said it! lol) i share a small room with my cousin and i dont have enough space for a 8x10 screen my image right now doesnt even take the WHOLE screen since my OHP is near the screen i get HALF the screen.
and about the "naked eye" thing. i meant...it depends on how u look at it...its kinda complicated i cant explain it .... i didnt use binoculars or microscopes... im sorry if it sounded that way lol
"expenditures" i had to get a dictionary for that one...sounds like soemthing a lawyer would say :-D lol
well i watched Star wars Ep2 last night on my wall and i have no complaints.... for less than 36$ im happy with my progress....i just want to do some experiments that all..
Negative design what are you using for a frame on your screen,perhaps it is twisting when you tighten the vinyl. Since you couldn't use the pool table analogy, I have another. An artist friend of mine told me you should start at the middle of one side fastening the material as straight as possible out to the corners. Then go to the opposite edge and repeat the procedure while tightening. then the 3rd side,and 4th side, but ever so gentle as you can create those wrinkles if you tighten to much on the 3rdand 4th edges as it will bend the vinyl surface into said wrinkles. Getting the 1st edge as straight as you can get it seems to be the key. Use a straightedge and put a line on the material for reference on the first edge.
I have looked at vinal before at the fabric store. It is made like that so it has wrinkles in it; even when streched out.
im using wood as a frame...... sorry i dont know the exact proportions. yes it is a little twisted but its not a big problem, when i used a bedsheet is was very close to perfect, the bedsheet was wrinkled on one edge due to human error(my error lol)
im afraid phil is right is right, i dont think my vinyl can be straight 🙁 damn...if only i was more patient and waited for true blackout cloth.. oh well i guess i'll have to wait till june.. (my principal said he will get rid of the screens he has and his ohp to me for free since NO one eevr uses them)
thanks to every one for posting
-Jimmy_-
im afraid phil is right is right, i dont think my vinyl can be straight 🙁 damn...if only i was more patient and waited for true blackout cloth.. oh well i guess i'll have to wait till june.. (my principal said he will get rid of the screens he has and his ohp to me for free since NO one eevr uses them)
thanks to every one for posting
-Jimmy_-
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