Wall paper on flats
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Topic: Wall paper on flats
Posted By: lucyvanpelt04
Subject: Wall paper on flats
Date Posted: 9/20/05 at 10:25pm
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What is the best way to be put wall paper on muslin flats in order for it to peel off after the show? (and not damage flat)
------------- "When I grow up, I am going to be the biggest queen there ever was..." |
Replies:
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 9/21/05 at 3:58am
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I don?t use wall paper normally on soft flats. But if you are bent on doing it! You may discover that it can be a difficult task, in keeping it flat & tight without wrinkles! It also can be a bit of a slapstick comedy, when applying it & great fun, but not always successful!  The times I have used wall paper on soft flats. I have Sized it to a 1/16th thick MDF board, which is cheap enough, then fixed the board to the flat. I have never gone in for stapling the paper to the flats or the board, as the staples are a menace during the Bumpout!  ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |
Posted By: lucyvanpelt04
Date Posted: 9/21/05 at 8:12am
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Not bent on doing it at all! We are doing Arsenic and Old Lace and trying to figure out a way to spice up the set without doing just one color of paint on the flats. I will probably post something about that. Thanks for your advice, Gaafa! ------------- "When I grow up, I am going to be the biggest queen there ever was..." |
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 9/21/05 at 10:12am
| Yet another reason to go Luan.... |
Posted By: dboris
Date Posted: 9/21/05 at 12:44pm
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Putting real wallpaper on flats without destroying them can be tricky, even on wood flats. Another option to doing this is to paint on something that looks like wallpaper. You can buy stencil rollers like this: http://www.rollerstencils.com/ - http://www.rollerstencils.com/ That actually roll on a pattern. They may be other manufactures that sell something simaler. Another option is to use a normal stencil to put a pattern on the wall. Dan |
Posted By: lucyvanpelt04
Date Posted: 9/21/05 at 1:09pm
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Thanks to your help, I probably won't even mess with the wall paper. There seems to be other easier and cheaper options. Thanks for your help! ------------- "When I grow up, I am going to be the biggest queen there ever was..." |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 9/22/05 at 1:02am
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The stencil rollers are a good idea! Usually rollers on soft flats tend to pick & highlight the stile & toggle rail outlines. However with the stencil type it works well, because it is only depositing a small amount of paint. My self I rather enjoy to scumble the flats. Paint a base colour on the flats. Then add another highlight or complimentary colour using a sponge, either cut the sponge into a design shape or just randomly dab it on! [the sea sponge style is great for this, ordinary plastic foam ones tend to glob on.] We sometimes call it daubing & various other names. You keep the sponge fairly dry by using a shallow paint tray or only brush on a light coat of paint, in the bottom of a roller tray or flat container. Don?t over do the daubing bit! Try it out on a small or large area of a single flat & put it under lights. Stand well back & to take a look - play with it until your happy! It can be as enjoyable as finger painting, but it does not have to be as messy!  Chookas Joe ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |
Posted By: Spectrum
Date Posted: 9/22/05 at 2:23am
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To add to what Gaafa has offered, do the daubing technique using a miriad of odd items for texturing. We've used feather dusters, bunched up garbage bags, torn sea sponges, gause, dry texture brushes, etc. Use three colors; a base color followed by texturing in first a contrasting (to the base) color and then a complimentary (to the base) color. Take care not to over-load the texturing with paint. Pat the "texture material" on something to dry it out a bit (newspaper, scrap wood, paper towels) before applying it to your flats. The texturing should be in a totally random pattern and not so strong it becomes distracting. It should give the walls a look of "vibrancy," making them much more interesting and appealing, but subtle enough to prevent distraction. If using a stencil, where you WANT a repeated regular pattern, make two stencils, side-by-side. Use one as a locating guide and the other to paint the pattern on the flat. Use the top and bottom edges of your stencil to guide you along one row to the next. I would recommend doing all stenciling and texturing with the walls up and assembled so there is no obvious sudden break in the pattern from one flat to the next. Trim around doors and windows after finishing the walls. Good luck! Your set will be wonderful. ------------- Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional. |
Posted By: Aimee
Date Posted: 9/25/05 at 12:21am
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I have not used full wall paper on my flats, but I have done wall paper borders. I have not ruined any flats (yet) The wallpaper paste works best. I hate doing it, but it really brings the room together nicely. I do use the border only after the "wall" has been painted and dried. Then it is easier to get off (not thath it is an easy process either way, but there you go! Good luck! ------------- Aimee |
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 9/26/05 at 8:53am
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Should you decide to go with wallpaper on wood flats at any point there are a few helpful things to keep in mind. Make sure the flats are primed. (New wood can be hard to clean up after).. I use the pre-glued wallpaper, goes on quick and fairly easy. After the show, we use vinegar, water and a scraper to peel it off. A little extra work there but it keeps the flats ready for whatever is next. |