Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Floor Resurfacing

This is topic Floor Resurfacing in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Bob Brown (Member # 1205) on 07-01-2003, 06:31 PM:

I am posting this for our IMAX Director in hopes of getting some opinions on this subject.

The floor in our IMAX auditorium, which is painted, is in need of stripping and repainting. Other theatres in the building have been stripped and repainted, but using the pervious method, a great deal of paint dust resulted. What I am seeking is suggestions that you may have as to the best way to complete this project. We have a silver screen that can not be cleaned so preventing any dust from the floor sanding hitting the screen is of the highest priority! Any ideas?

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 07-01-2003, 11:07 PM:

How important is it that the floor be painted. Is it worth the risk of damaging the screen and surrounding soundfold and seat cushions with the dust. For Imax you spend what 45 mins. for standard films and 2 or more hours for other films all this basically in the dark. If painting it is that important then I would scrape up the dead paint and roll the paint down on the floor.

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 07-01-2003, 11:27 PM:

If the current paint isn't too thick you might be able to just paint over it.

Otherwise you could try stipping the floor while wet, if possible.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 07-01-2003, 11:39 PM:

Buy a lot of tarp.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 07-01-2003, 11:57 PM:

It's actually epoxy he has on the floor there.

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 07-02-2003, 12:47 AM:

If you can afford it, build a temporary positive pressure environment around the screen (think asbestos abatement).

--jhawk

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 07-02-2003, 08:54 AM:

Given the size of an IMAX screen, that ain't going to be cheap.

Might it be possible to remove the screen and store it (rolled up) in a clean air environment or sealed container while the work is being done?

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 07-02-2003, 11:26 AM:

As Daryl notes, would it be possible to sand the finish of the floor while it is slightly wet? Would eliminate dust, but could raise other serious issues (e.g., electrical safety, slipping). Solvent strippers are usually not very effective on epoxy finishes, not to mention the fume hazard.

Posted by Gerard S. Cohen (Member # 994) on 07-02-2003, 11:33 AM:

Maybe it's time to consider laying vinyl tiles, which are easy to keep clean and don't peel. Perhaps their long life
would make them cost effective, as against repeated sanding and re-painting.

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 07-02-2003, 08:05 PM:

I've actually seen this being done in a factory where continuing production had to be in a relatively clean environment. The epoxy floor paint stripping was done in a semi-rigid tent-like thing with inflated ribs - "airshelter" or similar name. An exhaust fan blew the air inside through a flexible duct outside into a filter box that trapped some of the dust. The workers just picked up the "building" and moved it to the next spot when finished with the floor inside. Once the area being refinished was stripped the structure was to be deflated and removed and then the painting would be done in one go.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 07-03-2003, 12:41 PM:

Dave, betcha that rig isn't going to come cheap, as neither will the positive pressure environment thing or even tons of tarp. I'd go with Gerard's suggestion; it's an elegant solution and probably the cleanest, not to mention inexpensive, and look at the variety of floor looks you can choose from! And I missed why it can't be just painted over?....cheaper still.

Frank