How To Paint Plastic » Translucent Paint For Plastic
Paints for Theatrical Staging and Exhibits - a Primer
For theatrical staging and exhibits, you could use household latex paint, but paint formulated for the stage works better for four reasons:
1. Scenic paint uses pure, vibrant pigments without chalky fillers, so you can mix colors without the result looking muddy.
2. Scenic paints have enough binder (glue) to allow for considerable thinning, making them economical and versatile.
3. Scenic paints dry to a very matte finish, which contributes to the illusion of depth and richness of color when lit.
4. Scenic paints are durable, made to withstand physical wear and tear and the wide fluctuations in temperature and humidity encountered during scenery's construction, set-up, performance, transport and storage. (House paints are designed for hard, static surfaces in very stable surroundings.)
Here's an overview of the types of paint you can choose from:
1. Vinyl acrylic paint (Off Broadway) is used right out of the can which makes it easy to use. Its especially good if you're working with K-12 students. It will adhere to almost any surface, colors are intermixable and white-white is used to white-out other colors.
2. Supersaturated Roscopaint is versatile. It can be diluted substantially (1:3-20 parts water) without losing its binder strength which makes it a good choice for watercolor effects, layering and translucent washes. Its flexible acrylic base makes it a good choice for roll drops and other soft goods. It also adheres to non-porous surfaces such as plastic and metal.
3. Sculptural coatings water-based paints are another versatile choice. They can be mixed 1:1 or 1:2 parts water for opaque results or 1:5-15 parts water for translucent washes. These paints dry to a brilliant matte finish and produce deep, pure, vibrant hues even on hard-to-paint surfaces.
4. Casein-type paints (Iddings Deep Color) require a certain adeptness to mix, but they offer vibrant colors and an absolute matte finish, making them the first choice of scenic artists for more than fifty years. Another advantage of casein paint is that you can re-wet it. Its often helpful when painting drops to be able to reactivate the paint you laid down earlier. Casein paints come in a concentrated paste which must be diluted at least 1:1 with water.
The base for casein paints is made of soy protein which makes them vulnerable to bacterial attack once they're opened, but you can preserve them easily with liquid Lysol. To maximize its shelf life, scoop out only as much paint as is needed and reseal the can immediately (you may also cover the surface of the remaining paint with a thin layer of liquid Lysol). Adding 2 ounces of liquid Lysol per gallon (1 tablespoon per quart) of mixed color will help retard the growth of bacteria.
Copyright 2007 PNTA
Wendy Hammatt is Business Development Manager at PNTA, Seattle WA http://www.PNTA.com The company provides supplies, equipment and services to the theatrical and entertainment industries.
Services include:
Equipment rental and repair
Integration, retrofitting and maintenance of lighting control, sound and special effects equipment
Custom fabrication and installation of custom fabrics and drapes
Event services
Turnkey design and fabrication of museum exhibits, interactive displays and interpretive centers
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