Introduction:
As we are upgrading our media room into a home theater, we wanted to enhance our viewing experience by painting our white wall with projection screen paint to achieve the best results.
After researching different paint formulas, I discovered a lower cost of projection screen paint can vary significantly, ranging from $100 to $800. Determined to find a more cost-effective solution, I found a method for painting a projector screen that allowed me to create a DIY paint wall projector screen for less than $40 and achieve the best viewing experience possible.
This process involved a lot of work and special mixing, but it proved to be the only way to stay within budget while achieving the best picture quality.
The outcome was impressive. Painting the projector screen transformed our projector wall, providing an exceptional theater experience. To complete the setup, we also added a black frame around the projection wall, which further enhanced the theater room ambiance, giving it a true theater experience. In this post, I will share all the details of how we achieved these results with the DIY paint wall projector screen, from the special mixing techniques to the final touches
Materials I used for painting:
- Paint roller
- Behr Silver Screen/ Flat, Matte Paint #1050 – 1 Gallon
- Behr Black Matte – #1300 – 1 Quart
- Dark Pewter/ Semi-Gloss – #5400 – small sample bottle
- Painters tape
- Extension pole
- Drop Cloth
- 1x4x12s – 4
What is the best paint for wall projection?
The best Paint mix formula for projection screen paint.
1/2 Gallon of Behr Silver Screen/ Flat, Matte Paint #1050 +
1/4 Quart of Behr Black Matte – #1300 +
1 full sample bottle of Dark Pewter/ Semi-Gloss – #5400
Step-by-Step Tutorial for projector wall
Step 1: Mark the Screen Area with Painter’s Tape:
The first thing is to turn on the projector and use painter’s tape to outline the area on the wall where the projected image will be displayed. Make sure to mark the screen size and aspect ratio carefully, and tape the wall precisely to ensure straight lines.
Step 2: Mixing and applying the paint:
How to paint the wall for the projector screen?
The next step, mix all the paints mentioned above and stir them thoroughly. Then, carefully roll the paint over the screen area. It may take up to 3 or 4 coats to achieve a uniform finish and a more classic look. Try to avoid roller marks as much as possible to ensure the best results.
Step 3: Check for Uneven Patches:
Once the paint is dry, turn on the projector and check for any uneven patches. If you see any, fix them using a roller. I had to roll over a few areas again due to roller marks to achieve better results.
Step 4: Adding the wooden frame:
Now it’s time to add the frame. Adding a wooden frame around the screen is the best thing to do to achieve the theater look. Before doing so, I painted the entire wall with limewash to match the other walls in the room. You can find a detailed blog on that here.
Step 5: Measure and mark the frame:
I got 1x4s to make a frame around the screen. Turn on the projector again and measure the width and length of the screen to determine the coverage area. Align the 1×4 with the edge of the screen and mark where you want to make the cuts.
Step 6: Cutting the wooden frame:
We used a miter saw to cut the wooden frame 1x4s at 45 degrees on either side.
Step 7: Nailing the wooden frame:
Then we nailed the frame to the wall on all four sides of the screen and screwed it into the studs where we found them.
We had a covered outlet where the frame was supposed to go, so we used a handsaw and chisel to adjust the 1×4 to fit around the outlet. As you can see, we were able to hide the outlet behind the frame. If you have an outlet you want to use, you can easily move it.
Step 8: Filling with wood filler:
Finish the frame using wood filler. If necessary, sand it with sand paper to achieve a smooth surface.
Step 9: Paint the wooden frame:
Paint the frame carefully. It’s a good idea to paint the 1x4s before attaching them to the wall, but we missed that step. As a result, we had to paint them carefully without getting paint on the screen area.
Conclusion:
Creating a DIY paint wall projector screen is a cost-effective and rewarding project that can significantly enhance your home cinema experience. By choosing the right projection paint and ensuring a smooth surface, you can achieve a high quality projection surfaces that rivals commercial options. This approach allows you to optimize the color accuracy, making it an ideal choice for media rooms where ambient light can affect picture quality. Tailoring the screen to your personal preferences ensures a customized solution that adds a personal touch to your viewing setup. With careful planning and execution, your DIY screen can deliver impressive visuals, making movie nights and presentations more enjoyable.
Hi!! I'm Gowthami
I am passionate about changing my builder-grade house into a home I love. I love DIY and sharing all my successes and failures in this process and I hope to inspire your next project. Thank you for hanging around!