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I've got to be the weirdest guy on the FP forum.
Though I've had projectors (CRT and LCD) from 1987 onwards, since I sent off my Sony VPL-W400Q to ThomasW in 1999 or thereabouts, I haven't had one at home to use...
I built a screen for my 400Q which used a solid oak frame and bright white formica over 1/4" hardboard, and which hung on the wall. It was 72" diagonal 16:9 format, which doesn't sound all that big, unless you see it next to an RPTV- the vertical screen height is actually bigger than a 50" 4:3 RPTV by 6".
Two years ago, (just before the "bubble" popped) I though I'd be likely to get a new projector sometime in the coming year (didn't work out), so I worked on upgrading my screen, and adding a solid oak roll around base, so I could use it on a different wall in front of the fireplace, and move it out of position when I didn't need it. That was constructed, but not completely finished, and has languished in the garage, until now, because I need to make more working room in the garage for other projects. So, to finish it, I need to complete the wood finishing for the roll around base, but also was wondering if I could upgrade the screen surface, not being totally satisfied with the white formica.
I've read of others experimenting with different screen surfaces, including the Parkland plastics, and various after market coatings. One of the more interesting cases was from Neil Joseph, who found a high heat aluminum color paint by Tremco in Canadian HD's that he claimed was almost a perfect color match to a Steward Firehawk high contrast screen for digital projectors when dried.
In our local HD's, they don't carry anything labled "Tremco"; I found out on the web that the brand is sold in Australia and Canada. Interestingly, if you investigate on the web, you'll find that Tremco is part of RPM Inc., which also owns the "Rustoleum" brand- which is sold in the US HD's. After some careful perusing, I found a high heat Aluminum by Rustoleum, and purchased a few cans- enought to do two coats as a test.
Even when exercising great care to spray it lightly and uniformly, it doesn't look very even in color when wet. However, it dries to a very nice matt light silver gray after a half hour or so, and it does look very, very close to the Firehawk sample I've seen. Recommended full cure time is 1-2 days, depending on temperature. I put two coats on this Sunday, using two cans that cost less than $5 each. Who knows what the gain and other properties are, though? :roll:
Well, I'm going to go ahead an put another couple of coats on, then I'll see if I can borrow a 10HT that I helped "Smart" calibrate and setup for HTPC for an acquaintance last year in San Jose- and see just how this looks. If I can't get the 10HT, maybe I'll be able to borrow an Infocus at work, but I wouldn't put much stock in that, as the color reproduction of most of the models we have at work is pretty darn bad. (very purplish reds, terrible greens and yellows).
If it all pans out, I'll let you all know, and post a couple of pictures- heck, maybe even a true "screen shot"! :W
Regards,
Jon
PS: Yeah, I know, I need to get side tracked with somethign like this right now like I need a hole in the head!
Earth First!
_______________________________
We'll screw up the other planets later....
Though I've had projectors (CRT and LCD) from 1987 onwards, since I sent off my Sony VPL-W400Q to ThomasW in 1999 or thereabouts, I haven't had one at home to use...
I built a screen for my 400Q which used a solid oak frame and bright white formica over 1/4" hardboard, and which hung on the wall. It was 72" diagonal 16:9 format, which doesn't sound all that big, unless you see it next to an RPTV- the vertical screen height is actually bigger than a 50" 4:3 RPTV by 6".
Two years ago, (just before the "bubble" popped) I though I'd be likely to get a new projector sometime in the coming year (didn't work out), so I worked on upgrading my screen, and adding a solid oak roll around base, so I could use it on a different wall in front of the fireplace, and move it out of position when I didn't need it. That was constructed, but not completely finished, and has languished in the garage, until now, because I need to make more working room in the garage for other projects. So, to finish it, I need to complete the wood finishing for the roll around base, but also was wondering if I could upgrade the screen surface, not being totally satisfied with the white formica.
I've read of others experimenting with different screen surfaces, including the Parkland plastics, and various after market coatings. One of the more interesting cases was from Neil Joseph, who found a high heat aluminum color paint by Tremco in Canadian HD's that he claimed was almost a perfect color match to a Steward Firehawk high contrast screen for digital projectors when dried.
In our local HD's, they don't carry anything labled "Tremco"; I found out on the web that the brand is sold in Australia and Canada. Interestingly, if you investigate on the web, you'll find that Tremco is part of RPM Inc., which also owns the "Rustoleum" brand- which is sold in the US HD's. After some careful perusing, I found a high heat Aluminum by Rustoleum, and purchased a few cans- enought to do two coats as a test.
Even when exercising great care to spray it lightly and uniformly, it doesn't look very even in color when wet. However, it dries to a very nice matt light silver gray after a half hour or so, and it does look very, very close to the Firehawk sample I've seen. Recommended full cure time is 1-2 days, depending on temperature. I put two coats on this Sunday, using two cans that cost less than $5 each. Who knows what the gain and other properties are, though? :roll:
Well, I'm going to go ahead an put another couple of coats on, then I'll see if I can borrow a 10HT that I helped "Smart" calibrate and setup for HTPC for an acquaintance last year in San Jose- and see just how this looks. If I can't get the 10HT, maybe I'll be able to borrow an Infocus at work, but I wouldn't put much stock in that, as the color reproduction of most of the models we have at work is pretty darn bad. (very purplish reds, terrible greens and yellows).
If it all pans out, I'll let you all know, and post a couple of pictures- heck, maybe even a true "screen shot"! :W
Regards,
Jon
PS: Yeah, I know, I need to get side tracked with somethign like this right now like I need a hole in the head!
Earth First!
_______________________________
We'll screw up the other planets later....
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