CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

wallace123456 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 2236 Location: Northwest VA area

Hey,
Just wanted to pass along a good deal. I picked up another picker of Wilsonart Designer White laminate as the first sheet I had a screwed up.

But the info is: I purchased it from Reico Distributors. They have locations all around the Virginia, Maryland and DC area.

But, heres the good news: I purchased a 4x8 sheet for $24.96. Thats $.78 a square foot. I got the "veritcal" stock (D354 60 335) which is thiner that the other type you normally get (D354 60 107)at Home Depot or Lowes.

They only charge $35.00 for shipping, if you can't pick it up.

Sure beats the other prices.

wallace

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 5:05 am Post subject: Re: Wislonart Designer White

Clarence · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 2:56 pm Post subject:

Several people have complained that the thin stuff gets ripples and waves. It might've been worth the extra $10 to get the thicker 117 grade.

Joust · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 3:06 pm Post subject:

the best I have found in Canada is $200 for a 12x5 foot sheet. could not find it in 10x5. 4x8 is too small.

ecrabb · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 3:53 pm Post subject:

I paid just under $100 for my 5x10 from a local wholesaler - the thick stuff. Their normal price was about $120, but I asked them what they could do... I was pretty happy as they had it in stock for only a few bucks more than HD or Lowes - which were 1-2 week waits.

Wallace, you're definitely going to have to laminate it onto a substrate with contact cement.

SC

wallace123456 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 2236 Location: Northwest VA area

ecrabb:

Yep, I'm glueing it to Melamine board. The melamine is like 5/8" thick. Thats the reason I got the thin stuff.

analog:
Now you have me thinking. I could swear it is 107. I am going to check just for schits 'n grins.

wallace

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 7:36 pm Post subject:

wallace123456 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 2236 Location: Northwest VA area

wallace123456 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 2236 Location: Northwest VA area

I just checked with the local Reico distributor and they only ship locally (meaning the Virginia, Maryland areas.

The guy told me if someone in Canada wanted Wilsonart product, look up the Reico distributor fore the area in Canada and they should be able to help. I would hope that the prices would be lower than home improvements centers and such.

wallace

lyd · Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 390 Location: Lake Mills, Wi

How are you guys cleaning these screens? I have tried a number of products, including plain soap and water and just plain water, and I always end up with streaks and such that show up in very bright scenes.

lyd

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:22 am Post subject:

Hmmm I'm still trying to locate some to buy. On car's I use Eagle One 20/20 glass cleaner. It's streak free on glass. Not sure how it would work on the laminate though.

ecrabb · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:49 am Post subject:

I use a damp rag with Windex, then back over it with a dry cloth to buff any streaking left behind - if there is any.

SC

paw · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1176 Location: Arvada, CO

Try a damp microfiber towel followed with a dry microfiber towel to buff it. Costco sells decent microfiber cheap in the auto section. They are/use to be yellow.

MikeEby · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 5237 Location: Osceola, Indiana

Does anyone know how this material compare to Parkland Plastics Screen. I've had it up for 5+ years and still looks great, but I'm always looking for something a little better if it can be had at a good price.

Mike

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4899 Location: Flower Mound, TX

ecrabb · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:26 pm Post subject:

I never got to see the Parkland Plastics material used as a screen, but I love my WilsonArt screen. Only a little hotspotting, and only really noticeable on fairly solid neutral colors. I think I spent under $150 on my whole screen including the substrate, contact cement and framing... and it looks awesome. It's super-heavy, but that was because of how I built it. Two thumbs up for the WilsonArt screen.

You should be able to call WilsonArt and get a larger sample sent to you to compare. Failing that, I have some scrap left over and I could mail you 5x10 or so piece.

SC

wendortb · Joined: 15 Nov 2006 Posts: 107 Location: Martinsville, IN

I have the parkland for the screen. I used it originally about 2 years ago. After I started hearing about the wilsonart screen, I ordered a small sample of it. I taped up the sample on my screen. I noticed that the wilsonart is a little brighter, but that is all. There isn't much difference with focus or anything. At least what I saw with the sample.

I just did a new screen, with my new arrangement and I went with the parkland. Mostly, because of price/performance. The parkland I got for $17 (menards) for a 4x8 sheet. I glued that to 1/2" mdf ($18) and used 3m 90 spray adhesive ($18?) to attach them together. I now have a 78" wide 16:9 screen. (this is all the further I can slide my projector back)

I don't think there is enough of a difference for me to justify the price right now. If you want your screen a little brighter though, it works great.

I would like to compare the black out cloth. I have it, I just have to take the time to tape it up and compare.

JustGreg · Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 3098 Location: Kenosha, WI

Use the same tools as a professional window washer.

http://www.windowcleaningkits.com/product-128-The+Home+Window+Cleaning+Kit+Starter+Set.aspx

The only thing you won't have to do of course is blade the screen like you would a window; to get the baked on dust, grime and bug guts off. It's clean and streak free after without all the work involved with conventional methods such as Windex. It'll take you longer to get all the stuff out of the garage and mix the cleaning solution that it will to do the job.

NOTE: Lay a long towel(s) on the carpet under the screen if not wood trimmed. If you're worried about your wood frame getting wet, duct tape the towels to the wood like you'd do when masking to paint.

Greg

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4899 Location: Flower Mound, TX

wendortb · Joined: 15 Nov 2006 Posts: 107 Location: Martinsville, IN

My sample was 3"x5" if I remember correctly. It was pretty small to be able to tell too much. But I was able to tell from that small sample that it was brighter.

It really didn't matter to me that it was much brighter because of the slight price difference. The parkland was available locally for $17. It would have cost more than that for the Wilsonart, I guess close to $100. I just didn't see the point of the extra expense. The parkland does a fine job for me for the price.

Does it really make that much difference with your screen being brighter? You are going to have to turn down the contrast so you don't have any hotspots, correct? I am just running my tubes a little harder then. Won't we come out close to the same brightness? The wilsonart I am sure will be brighter once all setup, but really, how much? I currently have the ability to make the house pitch black, so my eyes adjust anyway. Who am I trying to convince here, you or me?

This isn't that big of a deal to me to run the tubes hotter because the sooner I go though my tubes (BTW, I have a spare set waiting for these to go dim) the sooner the g/f will let me buy a better projector from Curt. Thumbs Up

I seriously thought about switching to the wilsonart, but I am trying to save my pennies right now for a new motorcycle (my soon to be new hobby) and a new house so I can build a real theater room.