Stage Floor Paint

[Smatticus]

I'm wondering what kind of paint most people use when painting their stages flat black. I need to repaint our stage and I believe that the TD before me used a flat black exterior deck paint. I can't, however, find anyone who either a) carries deck paint in a flat finish or b) can mix black with the product they do carry. Basically they can only provide flat black for decks or if it is a stain. The next best thing I can think of is an all weather exterior house paint. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[blsmn]

I just got finished re-painting ours and I used an exterior flat black latex - works just fine as I am generally painting the stage at least 4 times a year if not more. Very seldom is a show by the high school or community theatre done without painting the stage floor to match the set, so after it is done I take it back to black. So I am basically painting the floor a lot during the year and don't really need it to last for a long time. I'm not really sure just how long the exterior latex would last under normal wear conditions and just exactly what your stage is used for, but I would think it would work OK. I remember a 3 month stint one time between theatrical productions where there were just normal concerts, dance shows, etc. and it held up just fine.

[Smatticus]

Our stage normally stays flat black all the time so we only repaint it when we need to because of wear or paint drips and spills, so it ussually tends to be about a year between paintings, depending on its care during the year. For the most part I would say our stage isn't really used heavily so I'm thinking the exterior latex will do fine. I mean sure the paint might not last as long as the warranty says it should but the stage is going to be repainted again a long time before that warranty expires anyway.

[Van]

Here in the Northwest we have a Regional paint company called Miller. They sell a product called "Tough Tread" it is a Flat floor paint that comes in a wide variety of Colors. Many of the Local theatres use it as a floor and wall paint as it has a ton of pigment and is very tough. I have found, however, that you don't always have to spend the money on an expensive floor paint. As the last poster mentioned many times we are re-painting our floor several times a year and it just doesn't make sense to use an expensive paint on a floor that you know is going to be re-paint inside of two months.
That being said, I find it hard to beleive that a paint store or supplier near you won't mix a flat latex for you. I suggest you walk in, walk right up to the counter and in a firm, clear, projected voice say, " I would like 5 gallons of flat black interior latex paint please." And when they say "why?" you say, "Hey it's a theatre thing you wouldn't understand." . If they press the matter I suggest using my next favorite line, " Back off man, I'm a Technical Director !"

Happy painting !

[Smatticus]

Thanks for the input, they don't have a problem mixing a flat latex, just nobody can mix or carries flat exterior deck paint, which would be a bit tougher as it's actually intended for a floor. So a flat exterior latex is the next best thing and, fortunately, I have an arrangement with one store to get the paint for free in exchange for a program ad and some tickets. One of the places I went to the guy was trying to tell me that it wasn't even possible to mix black or dark red. Thanks again for the info!

[celtictechie]

roscos sell stage paint also you can have a mix of black paint that is flat from home depot and lowes.

[CowboyDan]

If you have a Sherman Williams or Home Depot in the area the paint that I like using is an oil base satin. I did use a flat black but was having problems with saw dust from the shop being track on stage. The satin makes it alot easier to mop the stage. It cost about the same as rosco paint but in my experience it is alot more durable.

If you do get this paint you need to apply it with a roller and not an airless sprayer. With the roller you get a thicker coat and it tends to come out looking really nice. One more thing that maybe a down fall is the time you need to let it sit before using the theater. I let the theater sit for three days before I walk on the stage.

Have fun with it.

Dan

[Van]

Yeah down time is a huge drawback to oil based paints I tend to avoid them at all costs. I can't imagine having three open days to just let my theatre sit. ( either one of them )

[celtictechie]

what type of floor due you have if it is mason type floor 6 t0 8 it is dry to walk on and after 12 you use it. I just re paint my stage and it was dry when i got their morning. i layed it down about 3 clock yesterday and got their today at 9 this mornning. I will double check the name and post that here for you.

James

[CHScrew]

Were painting our stage black for the first time this year. Right now our stage is hard wood with like a cherry finish and I HATE IT! I wish our school would have just painted it black to begin with.

Originally Posted by blsmn

Very seldom is a show by the high school or community theatre done without painting the stage floor to match the set, so after it is done I take it back to black.

That is a lot of paint. Do you ever strip and scrape the stage of all tht paint.