Open Forum

Hi everybody.  I hope you've all had a restful summer.  I got some info a while back on black paint for stages and wanted to see if anyone has had any experience in black paint for a black box.  My classroom will be converted to one and it's all concrete block construction.  I found Fence Pro Black, and although it is intended for wood fencing, it does say it works on concrete.  Just wanted to get some advise on this before I make any purchases.

Thanks

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Ernesto Rosas - SAG-AFTRA
Theatre Arts Teacher
East Hickman High School
Lyles, TN
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It is always a good question when painting directly on cement to try a patch first to see how the paint will cover and adhere, Rosco makes a line of black paint, I would recommend the Black Tough prime for this application, you will be painting it and touching up as needed, if you do decide to do this I also recommend using a clear flat sealer over for a more durable surface finish

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Jerry Onik
V.P. Theatrical Supplies and Equipment
Heartland Scenic Studio
NE
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If you are in the middle of setting the budget for this space, you might consider a vinyl plank flooring in the stage area(s) to give a little bit of cushion.  Concrete is so unforgiving!  I think that might make for some easy fundraising.

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CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
NC
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Good morning! 

If you are considering the same kind of black fence paint that I ended up with a couple of years ago from a local Farm and Fleet type store, do NOT buy it. It is a very strange product that is gummy, greasy and almost impossible to clean up. I bought it because it was so cheap, and the kids and I still talk about that awful paint. 

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Suzanne Jones
Teacher
Pella Community High School
IA
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-19-2023 10:53
From: CJ Breland
Subject: Black paint

If you are in the middle of setting the budget for this space, you might consider a vinyl plank flooring in the stage area(s) to give a little bit of cushion.  Concrete is so unforgiving!  I think that might make for some easy fundraising.

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CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
NC
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I agree with CJ, if you're looking for a durable - true black floor, then I would recommend an LVT (luxury vinyl tile) or an LVP (luxury vinyl plank) product. Tajima (TAJ) makes a great product.  We've installed it in multiple Television Studios with no issues… The material is incredibly durable, shows little wear with foot traffic & studio cameras rolling on top of it, and cleans up with water and microfiber cloths.  

If you're looking to paint the walls then I would recommend something like Ultra-Pure Black Flat Interior/Exterior Masonry, Stucco and Brick Paint from Home Depot.  In both instances, I would highly recommend that you see if there is a vendor discount for your project selection since it is educationally related and more vendors like working with schools.  Good Luck!

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Don Keith
Set Designer | Partner
The KEILIN Group | KL two
PO Box 1019
Exton, PA 19341
o: 610.873.2506
www.keilingroup.com
www.kltwo.com
don@keilingroup.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-19-2023 10:53
From: CJ Breland
Subject: Black paint

If you are in the middle of setting the budget for this space, you might consider a vinyl plank flooring in the stage area(s) to give a little bit of cushion.  Concrete is so unforgiving!  I think that might make for some easy fundraising.

------------------------------
CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
NC
------------------------------

In response to Don, 

this is a good option for studios and smaller spaces, but the necessity to screw scenery to the floor could be an issue by creating multiple holes in the flooring.

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Jerry Onik
V.P. Theatrical Supplies and Equipment
Heartland Scenic Studio
NE
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-24-2023 14:56
From: Don Keith
Subject: Black paint

I agree with CJ, if you're looking for a durable - true black floor, then I would recommend an LVT (luxury vinyl tile) or an LVP (luxury vinyl plank) product. Tajima (TAJ) makes a great product.  We've installed it in multiple Television Studios with no issues… The material is incredibly durable, shows little wear with foot traffic & studio cameras rolling on top of it, and cleans up with water and microfiber cloths.  

If you're looking to paint the walls then I would recommend something like Ultra-Pure Black Flat Interior/Exterior Masonry, Stucco and Brick Paint from Home Depot.  In both instances, I would highly recommend that you see if there is a vendor discount for your project selection since it is educationally related and more vendors like working with schools.  Good Luck!

------------------------------
Don Keith
Set Designer | Partner
The KEILIN Group | KL two
PO Box 1019
Exton, PA 19341
o: 610.873.2506
www.keilingroup.com
www.kltwo.com
don@keilingroup.com
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 07-19-2023 10:53
From: CJ Breland
Subject: Black paint

If you are in the middle of setting the budget for this space, you might consider a vinyl plank flooring in the stage area(s) to give a little bit of cushion.  Concrete is so unforgiving!  I think that might make for some easy fundraising.

------------------------------
CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
NC

This is a great point that Jerry makes... LVT and or LVP are a great solution over concrete but would be terrible on a wooden stage floor.  I should have asked what the floor substrate was before throwing my two cents into the mix!  Anyway, Ernesto, good luck with your project... 

------------------------------
Don Keith
Set Designer | Partner
The KEILIN Group | KL two
PO Box 1019
Exton, PA 19341
o: 610.873.2506
www.keilingroup.com
www.kltwo.com
don@keilingroup.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-25-2023 06:29
From: Jerry Onik
Subject: Black paint

In response to Don, 

this is a good option for studios and smaller spaces, but the necessity to screw scenery to the floor could be an issue by creating multiple holes in the flooring.

------------------------------
Jerry Onik
V.P. Theatrical Supplies and Equipment
Heartland Scenic Studio
NE
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 07-24-2023 14:56
From: Don Keith
Subject: Black paint

I agree with CJ, if you're looking for a durable - true black floor, then I would recommend an LVT (luxury vinyl tile) or an LVP (luxury vinyl plank) product. Tajima (TAJ) makes a great product.  We've installed it in multiple Television Studios with no issues… The material is incredibly durable, shows little wear with foot traffic & studio cameras rolling on top of it, and cleans up with water and microfiber cloths.  

If you're looking to paint the walls then I would recommend something like Ultra-Pure Black Flat Interior/Exterior Masonry, Stucco and Brick Paint from Home Depot.  In both instances, I would highly recommend that you see if there is a vendor discount for your project selection since it is educationally related and more vendors like working with schools.  Good Luck!

------------------------------
Don Keith
Set Designer | Partner
The KEILIN Group | KL two
PO Box 1019
Exton, PA 19341
o: 610.873.2506
www.keilingroup.com
www.kltwo.com
don@keilingroup.com


Original Message:
Sent: 07-19-2023 10:53
From: CJ Breland
Subject: Black paint

If you are in the middle of setting the budget for this space, you might consider a vinyl plank flooring in the stage area(s) to give a little bit of cushion.  Concrete is so unforgiving!  I think that might make for some easy fundraising.

------------------------------
CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
NC

What type of paint is already on the walls?  That decides what prep,and type of paint you will need.  Latex & oil based paint don't like each other.

If it has a gloss finish, should break that, manually or chemically, to get good adhesion of new paint. High gloss it's a must to break it.

I personally avoid flat black on walls as it shows every scuff, touch, etc.  Eggshell finish has just enough gloss to not show the scuff and low enough gloss to not bounce lots of light.

As for floor: what is it? Wood? Concrete?  Linoleum? Tile?  Wood or concrete easy to paint (consider high quality acrylic).  Tile or linoleum I'd cover as above .

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Douglas Fox
Lumberton NC
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