Projector screen question

[c***@telephonesecurity.com]

Not exactly audio related but I figure you guys might have a suggestion
or point me in the right direction.

I have a Da-Lite fastfold rear projection screen and on one side the
snaps and seam have pulled away from the screen. The screen is so tight
now I can't attach that side without fear of it ripping more.

I saw that Da-Lite offers a repair kit for the frame but haven't seen
anything for the screens themselves.

I've only worked with a few screens like this but they always seem
extremely tight to snap on. I'm sure it helps to make the surface
better, but it seems like it would be worthwhile having some kind of
snap extender that could help get the screen in place if the main snaps
are too tight.

Anyone know good ways to fix these things up?

charles

[TimPerry]

Post by c***@telephonesecurity.com
Not exactly audio related but I figure you guys might have a suggestion
or point me in the right direction.
I have a Da-Lite fastfold rear projection screen and on one side the
snaps and seam have pulled away from the screen. The screen is so tight
now I can't attach that side without fear of it ripping more.
I saw that Da-Lite offers a repair kit for the frame but haven't seen
anything for the screens themselves.
I've only worked with a few screens like this but they always seem
extremely tight to snap on. I'm sure it helps to make the surface
better, but it seems like it would be worthwhile having some kind of
snap extender that could help get the screen in place if the main snaps
are too tight.
Anyone know good ways to fix these things up?

find the nearest marina. ask who makes canvas boat covers (or sails) in the
area. they should be able to recommend a way to make a strong patch.

[Mike]

Post by c***@telephonesecurity.com
I have a Da-Lite fastfold rear projection screen and on one
side the snaps and seam have pulled away from the screen.
The screen is so tight now I can't attach that side without
fear of it ripping more.
I saw that Da-Lite offers a repair kit for the frame but
haven't seen anything for the screens themselves.
I've only worked with a few screens like this but they
always seem extremely tight to snap on. I'm sure it helps to
make the surface better, but it seems like it would be
worthwhile having some kind of snap extender that could
help get the screen in place if the main snaps are too tight.

There's not really any good way to repair a torn screen that I've
seen.... I have seen old screens on ebay so you might try that or a new one
from the manufacturer.
As for the tightness, that's by design. That way the screen material is
stretched out and tight to avoid wrinkles and sags. It can be a real pain
when the screen is cold as the material shrinks and gets stiffer. If that's
the case, let the screen warm up to room temp before attaching it to the
frame.

Mike Borkhuis

[Bob Cap]

I'm a Da-Lite dealer and I've seen this a couple of times in the past. You
can't repair the screen without having it show up. But you can replace the
screen fabric. We had a couple that finally started tearing along the seam.
We have since replaced the screen and the new ones seem to fit much easier.
I asked the factory if they are making them any larger now and they said
no....

We placed the new screen over the old screen and found it to be about 3/8 of
an inch larger....

Another trick we used to do was use a hair dryer and warm up the screen
fabric. It would then stretch a bit.

Sorry, Da-Lite said you can always make a smaller screen out of the old
fabric??????

Good luck

Bob Cap

Post by Mike

Post by c***@telephonesecurity.com
I have a Da-Lite fastfold rear projection screen and on one
side the snaps and seam have pulled away from the screen.
The screen is so tight now I can't attach that side without
fear of it ripping more.
I saw that Da-Lite offers a repair kit for the frame but
haven't seen anything for the screens themselves.
I've only worked with a few screens like this but they
always seem extremely tight to snap on. I'm sure it helps to
make the surface better, but it seems like it would be
worthwhile having some kind of snap extender that could
help get the screen in place if the main snaps are too tight.

There's not really any good way to repair a torn screen that I've
seen.... I have seen old screens on ebay so you might try that or a new
one from the manufacturer.
As for the tightness, that's by design. That way the screen material
is stretched out and tight to avoid wrinkles and sags. It can be a real
pain when the screen is cold as the material shrinks and gets stiffer. If
that's the case, let the screen warm up to room temp before attaching it
to the frame.
Mike Borkhuis

[Greg S]

on a different note, what is the process for cleaning the screens?

Post by Bob Cap
I'm a Da-Lite dealer and I've seen this a couple of times in the past. You
can't repair the screen without having it show up. But you can replace the
screen fabric. We had a couple that finally started tearing along the
seam. We have since replaced the screen and the new ones seem to fit much
easier. I asked the factory if they are making them any larger now and
they said no....
We placed the new screen over the old screen and found it to be about 3/8
of an inch larger....
Another trick we used to do was use a hair dryer and warm up the screen
fabric. It would then stretch a bit.
Sorry, Da-Lite said you can always make a smaller screen out of the old
fabric??????
Good luck
Bob Cap

Post by Mike

Post by c***@telephonesecurity.com
I have a Da-Lite fastfold rear projection screen and on one
side the snaps and seam have pulled away from the screen.
The screen is so tight now I can't attach that side without
fear of it ripping more.
I saw that Da-Lite offers a repair kit for the frame but
haven't seen anything for the screens themselves.
I've only worked with a few screens like this but they
always seem extremely tight to snap on. I'm sure it helps to
make the surface better, but it seems like it would be
worthwhile having some kind of snap extender that could
help get the screen in place if the main snaps are too tight.

There's not really any good way to repair a torn screen that I've
seen.... I have seen old screens on ebay so you might try that or a new
one from the manufacturer.
As for the tightness, that's by design. That way the screen material
is stretched out and tight to avoid wrinkles and sags. It can be a real
pain when the screen is cold as the material shrinks and gets stiffer.
If that's the case, let the screen warm up to room temp before attaching
it to the frame.
Mike Borkhuis

[jakdedert]

Post by Greg S
on a different note, what is the process for cleaning the screens?

It depends...rear projection or front? On RP screens, I've used denatured
alcohol. I don't know what's recommended...it's what the owner gave me to
use. Seemed to do okay, but I started with plain water, then did a final
douche with the DnA....

I'm not sure what you'd use on a FP...the reflective coating would be at
risk with whatever substance, I'd think.

jak

[c***@telephonesecurity.com]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try searching out marina as well as
outdoor suppliers (tents, tarps etc.).
I thought about the hair drier... might help. There's gotta be some
good ways to get this stuff to work. The tears are right at one edge
seam, perhaps a marina can just replace the edge... then again, it's
got to be cost effective.

thanks
Charles

[c***@telephonesecurity.com]

After a couple hours of googling I found "stretch-a-snap" made by
Taylor products, cheapest price was at www.boatersoutlet.com (4 for
$5).

They are little male-female snap adapters that extend the snap about an
inch and a half. There was also some nice patch material called
Tear-Aid on another site. Add up the costs and I may be spending more
than I wanted... but I'm going to get some of those snap things
anyway, seems like a handy thing to have.

Charles