Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: How does one clean a silver screen?

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Posted by Jeff Joseph (Member # 511) on 05-12-2003, 05:47 PM:

On Wednesday, I will be examining the silver screen that we're renting for our 3-D screenings this September.

What are the issues regarding the cleaning of a silver screen? I know it's a standard, perforated screen, about 6 or 7 years old.

Are there specific chemicals one should use to clean such a screen? Or are they cleanable at all?

Thanks,

Jeff

Posted by Matthew Bailey (Member # 601) on 05-12-2003, 07:10 PM:

I believe this has been mentioned before. To be safe, use warm water & a mild detergent. If possible,use a sponge mop squeezed out then use if necessary a dry clean dust mop to dry it with. There is a business that sells screen cleaning supplies-I can't remember the name right now.

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 05-12-2003, 07:15 PM:

to be honest how bad does it need to be cleaned. Any time you clean a silver screen you remove its ability to reflect the light correctly. If it is not bad I would not touch it because these non reflective areas show up like a sore thumb.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-12-2003, 08:16 PM:

Ya can't and get good results....buy a new one.
Mark

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 05-12-2003, 08:27 PM:

Jeff,
I would ask Harkness or Stewart or whoever mfg'd the screen.

>>> Phil

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-12-2003, 09:16 PM:

Never attempt to do more than brush a silver screen
As for replacements MDI or Harkness are the only ones that i haven't had beefs with

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 05-12-2003, 10:38 PM:

Anything more than a gentle brushing and you risk removing or peeling the silver paint.

Posted by Fabrice Dubourg (Member # 1635) on 05-13-2003, 05:02 AM:

nothing to do or just buy a new one...

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 142) on 05-13-2003, 05:39 AM:

Hi Jeff,

Until recent years we still had several silver 3D screens installed nationally. Our screens are wet chemically cleaned every year following Harkness Hall guidelines. Over the years we noted that the 3D screens deteriorated after about 5 cleans even using the recommended processes. All but one have been replaced over the years. The surface of a silver screen is much less resiliant. Unless you or others have had correct training in cleaning any screen, I would only recommend light dusting with a soft brush.

David Kilderry

Posted by Don Bruechert (Member # 1538) on 05-13-2003, 08:33 AM:

What happens when the audience endows them with food products and fountain soda? I know we just got some special screen cleaner in and it had very specific directions - put the cleaner on the rag, sot the screen, etc.. I don't know if our screens are "silver screens" or not, as I never looked at them. If this is the standard in the industry then they are. I don't remember the name of the cleaner, but I know it came in a box emblazoned with "Follow Directions Exactly".

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 05-13-2003, 09:20 AM:

in the original post it says that the screen is a rental. If there are problems with it see if you can rent another screen. I would say and hope that the company that rents the screens also checks them upon return so that if there are problems with it it is not rented out again but replaced at their expense. If you try to clean that screen you may end up buying it from the rental company if it is damaged.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-13-2003, 09:48 AM:

Most cleaning solvents will cause depolarization of a 3d image so stay away from them

Posted by Andrew Lee (Member # 1330) on 05-13-2003, 03:37 PM:

Jeff, like most people have stated, you can only clean a 3D screen with a brush/vacuum (ever so carefully). Depending on the type of coating, any attempt using any other method could turn into a nightmare.

As long as you do not have a coating of dust on the screen. Dust is one of the biggest factors in causing depolarization on a 3D screen.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 05-15-2003, 11:02 AM:

Agreed. Jeff, Darryl is right -- if you are renting, make them give you a screen that is clean and needs no additional work.

I had a professiona screen cleaning company clean our regular screen and even they won't clean a silver screen.

Frank