A few questions after being gone for a few months ...

[Harry Muscle]

I finally have my projector setup, but I still have to paint my screen. I did most of my reading a few months back when it seemed like the simplest (yet decent) option was to go with the Easy Flex method. However, a few weeks (or maybe months) back I received a private message about Easy Flex's author and the fact that his recommended tints are probably way off. So I was just wondering if someone could fill me in on what is currently considered to be the best "simple yet decent" method for painting a screen?

Just as a FYI, I was originally planning on going for a N8.5 (on the Munsell scale) screen if I recall correctly, and I was going to do it by using Behr UPW Flat Enamel #1850 and the Easy Flex 05 formula. Apparently the formula reseach was flawed, but what about the sheen research that was done? Is it still OK to stick with the 1850 from Behr? If yes, then I just need a revised formula.

Thanks,
Harry

[mechman]

Yes EasyFlex was not a good solution. You can find a suitable neutral gray paint by going to EasyRGB.com and punching 215 for all three RGB values. Then you'd select the paint available to you in your area and try to match it up. Behr products are not listed at EasyRGB so you will have to settle for a different brand.

GbrNole did some research and found the closest 8.5 was McCormick Paint 4-4001P. Dunn Edwards has a Porpoise that falls around 211.

Do you have a Lowes near you? They can color match anything and seem to be the paint store of choice for color matching.

mech

[wbassett]

EF isn't bad, it's a gray that does lean a bit green, depending on which tint formula you use. I'm really not sure what the current tint ratio is right now for that method. Many have used it and seem happy, but I'm not sure what else they have tried for comparison either.

Like I said, it's not bad, the OTS neutrals are so easy to get though it's kinda a 'why not' question. We know there are a large variety of gray colors that will work, but if a D65 neutral is as simple as walking in and asking for a particular brand and color code, why not? If the only place available is Home Depot and Behr products, then EF makes sense as the only option available. I don't know how it is is Canada or other parts of the country, but in the North East US where ever there is a Home Depot usually there is a Lowes nearby too, in some cases literally right across the street in a competing shopping center. In my area of NY where there is a Home Depot, within a 2-mile radius there is usually a Lowes, Sherwin Williams, and sometimes even a True Value. If you have access to Lowes though, their software can look up any paint manufacturer and pull up their paint code and tell them how make it using their base (Valspar), so Lowes can make the widest variety of paints. We are in the process of double checking their formulas to ensure they really are an exact match.

[Harry Muscle]

Thanks for the responses. I do have access to several other paint brands and stores, however, no Lowes (I think they are in the US only ... I'm in Canada). However, the only concern I would have with other brands is which sheen and/or base to go with. For Behr it seems like there was some research done on which one has decent durability without hotspotting, etc. Are there any such recommendations for any of the other brands as to exactly which sheen and/or base to use?

Thanks,
Harry

P.S. Btw, the second easiest brand for me to get a hold of (after Behr) is Benjamin Moore but there's several others that I can probably get also.

[wbassett]

As far as sheen, you want a matte finish or as close to matte as possible. Matte is between flat and eggshell as far as sheen goes. Most brands don't have something they specifically list as matte though so the best thing would be to ask them.

[tonyvdb]

I used Behr "silver screen" eggshell on my 96" screen, I dont remember the number as Im at work at the moment. Some people have had great results using that color including me. I dont get any hotspot issues and the viewing angle is great. Im in Canada as well and The Home Depot is a good place to get it.

[mechman]

Silver Screen is actually closer to neutral than the EasyFlex stuff. If you had to go with Behr paint that's what I would use.

mech

[mechman]

I believe the Behr UPW 4050 is the matte finish. Have them mix that up with Silver Screen and you'd be set.

mech

[Harpmaker]

Home Depot has Glidden paints. The Glidden "Snowfield" is about an N9 and "Universal Gray" is about N8.25. A 50/50 mix of those would be about N8.625.