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In The Limelight

Occasional tips and how-tos from the shop at Limelight Productions ®

Scenic Paint
The Right Choice For The Job

Specially formulated scenic paint is almost always a better choice for theatrical applications than ordinary house paint. And, because it can be diluted without adverse effects, it is also an economical choice. The information presented here is meant to be a quick reference to help you choose the right scenic paint for your application. You should alway feel free to call the experts at Limelight or the manufacturer for further advise.

Paint Application - Quick Reference Chart

Off Broadway
genereal purpose, easy to use

Rosco Off Broadway paints offer an economical alternative for painting drops and sets with a true scenic paint. This vinyl acrylic paint is appropriate for a variety of surfaces. It is ready to use, or may be diluted to help stretch your budget.

Because it is ready-to-use out of the can, without diluting, and has a feel similar to house paint, Off Broadway paint is perfect for the less experienced user.

The vinyl acrylic binder in Off Broadway adheres to most surfaces including plastics, metals, foams, muslins and canvas, and produces a weather resistant coating.

Iddings Deep Colors
excellent for soft goods; completely matte finish, drops stay supple, excellent opacity

Iddings Deep Colors is a casein paint system manufactured from pure artist pigments with a protein binder. They are intended to be watered down (diluted) at least 2-3 times for opaque application and more for translucent applications.

Deep Colors dries to a thin, flexible coating without cracking.

As a casein paint, Deep Colors are rewettable and can be washed out of old flats, allowing them to be used over and over again. They are not weather resistant, and are intended for indoor use.

Deep Colors are designed to meet the needs of the more experienced user. Technical advise is available via an 800 number.

Supersturated
best choice for plastics, foam, metal; may be diluted with large quantities of water for glazing and translucencies

Super Saturated Roscopaint is also manufactured from pure artists pigments with an acrylic binder. The acrylic binder adheres to most plastics, metals, foams, vinyls, muslins and canvas, and is weather resistant. The binder is tough enough to stand up to scuffs and production abuse.

The highly concentrated colors are intended to be watered down significantly, producing a thin, flexible coating. It is opaque at a 2:1 mixture for most colors.

Paint Helpers

Tough Prime is designed to adhere to the new generation of scenic materials incuding foams, plastics, PVC, Aluminum and vinyl floors.

It is water-based and cleans up easily, dries quickly and may be overpainted with Deep Colors, Supersaturated and Off Broadway, as well as lacquers and other solvent-based paints.

Acrylic Glazes can be used as an overcoat to seal and protect, or as an additive to restore binder to diluted paint, or to give Deep Colors the qualities of Supersaturated.

Scenic Paints vs House Paints

• Because they contain several pigments, house paints tend to appear muddy and dull when mixed. Scenic paints, with single pigment, allow for a more vibrant intermixability .
• The binder used in house paints is intended for use on a limited range of surface materials. Scenic paints have more versatile binders and will stick to a wider range of surfaces .
• House paints have a sheen which reflects light. Scenic paints have a completely matte finish for better performance under intense stage lighting.
• The fillers used in house paints can cause chalkiness and cracking in theatrical applications. The absence of fillers and the use of pure pigments allow scenic paints to resist chalking and cracking .

For more information, call us today at 1-800-243-4950

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