How should I paint my wall to make it into a projector screen? Your favorite digital activities will come to life depending on the type of paint you use for a projector screen. Picking the best color from Paint on Screen is what I would advise.
Use these projection wall painting suggestions for the best viewing in your home theater.
Table of Contents
Which Paint Color Works Best For Projector Screens?
Selecting the appropriate paint color is a crucial step before making your decision, rather than going out and blindly buying the paint that Projector Central suggests.
Four factors will primarily influence the paint color choice.
The Brightness Of The Projector
A white screen will reflect more light than a black or gray screen, that much should be obvious. A gray projector screen is not an option if your projector is unable to produce bright enough light.
For these projectors, you’ll need a white projector screen with a lot of gain so it can bounce back enough light to keep the image from looking washed out or dull.
On the other hand, if your projector is powerful enough to put out more than 3000 lumens of light, you can choose between a white or gray screen depending on the other two factors listed below.
By the way, if you’re looking for the ideal home theater projector which fits your budget, you can check out my favorite ones.
The major review websites are not always accurate, I can say with certainty after testing out so many projectors. So, I recommend you check my top recommended projectors if you’re in the hunt of buying one.
Personal Preference
Personal preference comes next in the analysis. An image on a white projector screen will have excellent color reproduction and vibrancy but poor black visibility.
On the other hand, a gray projector screen will display blacks very well and have a better contrast ratio, but the colors and vibrance of the image will be on the paler side.
White would therefore be your preferred color if you prefer to see images that are more vivid and colorful. A gray projector screen would be ideal if you prefer to view displays with better and deeper blacks.
Ambient Light
The color of the screen paint you choose to use on the wall behind your projector will largely depend on how much ambient light is present in the space.
To ensure that enough light is reflected from the projector screen surface in a room with a lot of ambient light seeping in through windows or doors, you will need a white paint that is reflective.
However, you have the choice to choose gray, which is less reflective, if your light-controlled space is relatively dark.
Less reflective surfaces have the benefit of having less light reflecting off of the walls and ceilings. A better cinematic experience will result from doing this, which will make the room darker while watching a movie.
Will You Frequently View 3d Content?
The tint of the 3D glasses causes the image to appear darker than usual when viewing 3D movies. As a result, your projector screen needs to be more reflective since 3D movies will require more gain.
White screen paint is therefore the best option if you plan to watch a lot of 3D movies.
Recommended Products
There are other colors besides white and gray that can be used for a projector screen. A silver screen is another option, which would combine the benefits and drawbacks of white and gray screens.
The products that I would suggest for the various colors of projector screen paint are listed below, based on my own experience and research:-
- For White Projector Screens, I would recommend the Digital Image Ultra White Screen Paint (check price on Amazon).
- For Gray Projector Screens, this Screen Paint (on Amazon) is recommended.
- For Silver Screens, I recommend the Paint on Screen S1 (check on One of the top brands of projector screen paints is Paint on Screen (available on Amazon). You can see why by visiting their website.
How Should You Prepare Your Walls Before Painting?
A quick, simple, and professional way to engage a client without spending a lot of money on an expensive screen is to project movies, slideshows, or PowerPoint presentations onto an empty wall in your office. You must first prepare and paint your wall before using it as a screen so that the images will be visible without any glare, imperfections, or distractions.
- Check the wall for cracks or other flaws. Any nails that might still be there and obstruct the path should be taken out. Use a sanding sponge to make the surface smooth.
- Cover any holes, ridges, or bumps in the wall with putty. With the aid of a putty knife, smooth out any flaws.
- To serve as a reference, project a picture onto the wall. The location of the screen on the wall should be measured and planned. Mark the wall with a ruler, a pencil, and painter’s tape to ensure that the dimensions are straight and the right proportions.
- Apply a layer of primer to the wall area enclosed by the painter’s tape. Primer dries at different rates, so give it time to dry. Check to see if the wall is dry to the touch by feeling it or by following the instructions on the can.
- Staying inside the lines of the tape, apply two coats of matte white or light-gray paint to the portion of the wall you want to use as a screen. In between coats, let the paint dry. Let the wall dry for the night after you’re done.
- Take the painter’s tape off. Create a border for your wall screen by applying screen Flok tape to the wall using a ruler.
How Do You Paint Your Wall For The Projector Screen?
It is now time to paint that wall since you have chosen the color and brand of the paint you will use for your projector screen. Here is a brief video showing the procedure.
Projection Screen Painting Process In Less Than 3 Minutes
Watch this video on YouTube.
Below is a list of the step-by-step process:-
Select The Wall
Not just any wall can be used in your house. You need to locate a wall that is big enough to accommodate the size of your screen while still leaving some space around the edges. Make sure the wall can accommodate a variety of displayed images because different input sources will have varying image display sizes.
Prep The Wall
Once you’ve chosen your wall, you need to clean it and look for flaws like texture from previous paint jobs and bumps. The best strategy for completing this task is to make the room as dark as you can and then scan the wall face with a light pointed along it for any raised areas.
Even out raised portions of the wall using light sandpaper. Though a little tedious, this step will help remove image distortions like the one that makes everyone’s face appear to have a massive mole on it.
Once the wall is level, clean it with soapy water or a mild detergent to remove any remaining dust and debris so that your new paint will adhere properly and evenly.
Determine The Projector Screen Area
Marking the area where the image will be projected would be the next step. To do this, turn off all of the room’s lights, turn on the projector, and center the image on a wall.
After you have changed the image’s size, mark the projected area’s edges with a pencil.
Apply Masking Tape To Mark The Borders Of The Screen Area
The next step would be to use painter’s tape to seal off the edges after marking the projector screen area’s perimeter. The use of painter’s tape will guarantee that the painted area is both nearly rectangular and contained within the predetermined space.
Apply The Paint
In order to prevent lumps from forming while painting, you will need to be extremely careful. Consider seeking professional assistance. An alternative to a roller is a spray gun.
In between the areas that the painter’s tape has delineated, begin gradually applying the paint. For best results, you’ll need between two and three coats of paint.
Remove The Painters Tape And Apply A Screen Border
Thus, you already have a painted and prepared projector screen. The projector screen border is now the only thing left. Naturally, you could build a frame out of wood strips, but I would suggest the Velvet Projection Screen Border Tape (look on Amazon). To mark the border of the projector screen, take off the painter’s tape and affix the velvet tape directly to the wall.
Conclusion
To enjoy watching movies to their fullest, a good projector screen is a necessity. Painting the wall is a good, affordable option, but caution must be taken with the type and color of paint used.
I’ve done my best to share what I’ve learned from my own experience as well as from the research I’ve done by reading forums and articles online. I hope I was able to give you the necessary details about the paint types that are appropriate for a projector-screen wall.
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