Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Larry Pisano on July 20, 2009 at 11:26am

Having done this in the past, I would suggest using Rosco's Supersaturate Valour Black. It hides all the wood grain, Dries fast, and you can recover scratched off areas without any prep work. i used this paint to cover the walls, floors and ceiling backstage, and it has held up great. It comes very thick, you cut it with water to the consistency that works best for the application.

Larry Pisano, Tech. Dir
READING CIVIC THEATRE

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Greg Bierly on July 20, 2009 at 1:03pm

We had our floor sanded and used and ebony stain. I have seen this used successfully on both soft and hardwood stages. It gives a very clean and easy to maintain finish.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kim on July 20, 2009 at 2:12pm

I don't have the answer, but would like to know it. We have a similar situation and would like to know the suggestions.

thanks - Kim
Gordon Central High School
kwatters@gcbe.org

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rick Reid on July 20, 2009 at 3:33pm

Several spaces I work with have masonite stained black.
+ Stain doesn't scrape off
+ Stain can be repaired without overlap lines
- Black stain is not as black as paint
+ 4x8 panels can be replaced easily and cheaply

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Thomas J. Gale on July 21, 2009 at 6:09am

I've done the masonite thing also. Word of caution; if you go this route you MUST paint both sides of the masonite at the same time to prevent warping and have it lay down correctly. It's a bit awkward to manage, but not unreasonable. Also, don't settle for the cheap stuff if you don't have to. Use product that is tempered both sides as the wet tempering allows for better paint adhesion. If you do this also make sure to use a countersink bit for your screws when laying the floor to insure a smooth finished surface. Masonite is devilishly hard to screw into and will mushroom around the screwhead if you don't countersink. It's a lot of work all in all but it does make for a good replaceable surface.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Thomas J. Gale on July 21, 2009 at 6:01am

I've used all sorts of products on various stage floors over the years from flat black stage acrylics by Rosco and Artist's Choice, to satin porch floor paints by local companies, to high tech paint like Vanex's Breakthrough water borne acrylic enamels. The problem I have with flat paints on floors is that they scuff so darn easily and don't maintain a nice look for very long. In my experience, they needed a lot more upkeep. Satin produces a little more light bounce, but maintains its look with less work. It mops better and seems to feel better to most dancers (provides a little bit of slide). Honestly after trying lots of expensive products, I went back to the following: Stripped the floors down to bare wood and filled all cracks and gouges. Two base coats with thin Artist's Choice black (almost a dye consistency). Final top black coat with two coats of a standard satin porch floor paint by Behr (available at Home Depot). I've preached for years in educational theatre against using local hardware store products to paint scenery, but in this case, the local product actually seems to work the best.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Larry Pint on July 22, 2009 at 5:29pm

Hi, Chad. Where in Minnesota are you? I'm in New Prague, Minnesota. I do tech work (primarily lighting) with a community theatre and the local High School.

Larry Pint

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Chad Felton on July 24, 2009 at 1:12pm

Larry, I am in Slayton, MN which is in the southwest corner of the state. We are 30 miles south of Marhsall, MN.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bob Whittaker on July 22, 2009 at 5:56pm

We have a mosonite floor the real trick is to let it sit for at least 6 weeks in the theatre then cut them to 4'X4' sections and you will have no problem with warping. I have not tried the black stain thing but it sounds good. The problem with tempered is that any tape will also peel up the paint leaving a lovely brown patch.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Andrew J. Way on July 24, 2009 at 6:55am

The first thing you have to decide is what will the main function of the stage be used for. Do you want a more formal setting; nice to look at for symphonic, or other musical groups, as well as dance (if you don't lay a dance floor down)? The ebony stain does look nice, neat and is easy to maintain. If the primary use is theatrical productions then, as a designer, I would like to see paint. Paint also holds the option that if you ever need to include the floor in the design, you can paint the performance area of the stage to suit. Great for interiors and exterior scenes. Part of this option is the prominance of the floor from the audiences view. If the audience can't see the floor, it's not an issue. If the audience is looking down on the floor and sees a great deal of it, then it is a huge issue. So balance that info with the quantity of floor you see ( every where in the auditorium). I also prefer not to paint a stage true black. Black tends to show every foot print etc. on it I lean toward a slate grey. Almost black, but just grey enough to be "foot print" color.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Trevor Long on July 24, 2009 at 11:28am

I agree with Andrew on this. It would be helpful to know how the floor is going to be primarily used. Also, are you planning on the entire floor being black or just the 'stage' part or is the entire space going to be available to be the stage with flexible seating.

If it is more of that black box feel, I'd go with painted duron (sp?) rather than painting the floor and use a velvet black with a low gloss sealant. Again, a good part of this is going to depend on what you want to do in the room. We re-paint parts of our studio fairly regularly. I'll check in with the TD staff on Monday and see what it is we use. It has recently changed to something I like better, I just can't think of the name of it right now.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Trevor Long on July 24, 2009 at 11:28am

By the way, where are you in MN?
oops, never mind I see it on your page.

• ▶ Reply