cleaning a scrim
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2807
Printed Date: 7/27/25 at 6:15am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: cleaning a scrim
Posted By: rcaviani
Subject: cleaning a scrim
Date Posted: 11/13/07 at 9:42pm
|
I have an old scrim, about 16 years old, that I cannot replace, It's in my high school. I do need to repair a rip in it and clean it. I don't suppose I can just take it down and through it in the washer then hang it out to dry.
I use it often for rear projections at concerts. It's become embarrassing. I doin't have a budget big enough to buy new.
rcaviani ------------- Ron Caviani |
Replies:
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 11/14/07 at 8:27am
|
G'day ron I have never attempted to clean a scrim or for that matter a Cyclorama. I think VickiFrank would be the scrim & cyc guru on this question. I have known of others who tried & they ended up getting a new one. These were cotton scrims & for the most part they rotted away in the washing machine process. Normally with scrims I ensure they have a canvas or cotton bag to be packed away into. or bag the tail of the scrim, then hiost on the string pull of the duffle bag & tie it off the deck, while not in use. In the most part depending how big it is, the only way I have heard of, with badly marked scrims. Is to soak it in 'Nappysan' [Diapersan - in your money]. Drop it in a trough sprinkle a cap full nappysan in cold warm water & leave to soak over night. Wringe it out then drape it over a washing line, or either fly it out on a batten or arrange a series of lines & spread the scrim out. Much the same as they did with dyed cloths, in the 1800's. By laying the cloths out in the sun. Supported on 'tenterhooks'. Which was about 3 lines tied off to poles, like rows of camp tents - hence the name 'tenterhooks'. You will find it will dry fairly quickly, even dripping on to the stage. the nappysan detergent is good, as it designed to be soft & gentle on the fabric, but has an active detergent. Releasing all those secret active dirt busting enzimes, making it as soft as to touch as a babies bum. [Or is that KFC take away chook?] Lets face it if it gets the crap out that turns up in babies nappies, it should work on a scrim [it also won't hurt the colours either!] However if your scrim is not preshrunk, it will be after washing it, that is if it's raw cotton. If you don't want to fly it wet, wait untill it's damp & almost at the dry stage, rehang it & get tke tail batten [pipe] in it's pocket. allowing it to dry in situ. If wrinkles form spray it with water, from a cheap plastic hand held sprayer, while it is hanging. Actualy mate I'd send VF a PM if it's urgent Or
contact her at her website.
http://www.studio-productions-inc.com/ - http://www.studio-productions-inc.com/
You could always pass around the hat, hold a few
Chook raffles or 'Boot Sales' & get a new one, by either hiring &/or
purchising - with the new materials, they are not the exspensive.
{this is not an Infoadd}
------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 11/14/07 at 8:45am
|
If its a sharkstooth, then repair that rip very fast (it'll get bigger and harder to repair over time). Unfortunately its hard to seamlessly repair a sharkstooth. The only practical amatuer method that I'm aware of is to literally darn it. It not an invisible method and can result in big easily seen gathered areas. Few seem to know what darning really is, so...start with the same color stout thread (maybe button thread). Step one: sew a "ring"/ circle shape around the tear with a small stitch length making sure to close the ring. Step two: Choose the main thread direction (horizontal when hung) and sew back and forth in neat courses catching every thread including going past the circle sewn in step one. Step three: Now sew in the direction 90 degrees (vertical when hung) back and forth--catching every thread including the circle again. You must catch every thread, any thread left loose can continue the run. Step four: (Optional) Apply one of the liquid products that stop runs and seal loose threads. You can find these in most fabric stores in a small bottle. I think one name is "Fray Guard" or "Fray Stop" something like that
As far as cleaning, you can safely vacuum most fabrics.
If you wash it with water it can damage the flame retardancy. First thing is to check the tag on the scrim if it says IFR (Inherantly Flame Retardant) water will not damage it. If the tag is not there or says FR (Flame Retarded) -Or- if it says treated by immersion, or treated by spray application, then as soon as you get it wet, expect to have to re-treat with flame retardant. Treating with flame retardant is done either by a spray or dip into the retardant. The scrim must be dried vertically, or salt stains result. Note that the retardant will saturate the surface below where the scrim is hung (so don't hang it on stage to ruin your stage floor finish!)
I'm not recommending washing it yourself, most places dry clean anyway (and then reapply Flame Retardant).
If you are thinking: "What the heck! I'll wash it and not treat it!" Remember that most major fire disasters have happened in theater/performance settings. Materials hung vertically are more flameable than those on the ground (fire travels up). Materials with air spaces (sharkstooth scrim) are even more likely to have fire risk. Air feeds fires.
I wish it was better news. But my advice is to vacuum, clean any obvious stains--and flame treat just the cleaned areas with a spray application. Fix the rip very carefully. Then rehang.
|
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 11/14/07 at 8:55am
|
Yur Bewdy Vicki - washing is rather haphazard at best - never thought of using the old 'hoover or 'sadie! Must remember that - G'donya! It would work well on on a cyc that some clowns  touched or ran thier hand
along, dislodging all the dust, Which looks like a streak under wash
lighting. I should have thought about the fire retardant? I'm a complete wally! Although no one here bothers with fire proofing anything on stage, be it pro or ameatre. The fire prevention act is a bit of a farce, for entertaiment venues. Because it is administered by the Local Council health depaertments & not the Fire Authorities. Any breaches are handled by our full Councils to decide to prosecute or not. So local politics are played out, by all the Council flunkies  , bless thier cotton doodats. ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 11/14/07 at 10:31am
You are right Joe, the regulations are only as good as the enforcement, and that in many areas is spotty. Fortunately most theater folks are careful--tech guys in particular to think things out. Most of the nasty situations I've seen were where the volunteers got into things too enthusiastically--in one case Dads wanting to spice up a kids performance of Oz with flashpots and modest fireworks everywhere. They thought they were safe. They planted them near the dried flowers decorating a munchkin house with munchkins (kids) inside. Munchkins were clothed in fluffy frilly clothing . A really quick thinking teenage (I think) stage manager got there fast averting disaster. I spent that night spraying Flamex on everything on stage. Its not the pros or even the regulars that are dangerous--its the enthused volunteers that have to be watched.
BTW--IF we trot out the hoover, its best to not use an upright. Use the attachments or the hoover really sucks! The scrim will not like being sucked into the hoover.
Good luck on your cyc, Joe.
|
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 11/14/07 at 4:31pm
|
Being an Electrical Fitter & endorsed installer [mechanic] by trade. At one stage i was one of only two Licence Electricians employed in theatre through out the state. Yet we had over 20 pro venues, who used techies, that had picked up the knowledge thru experiance, who were not licenced or qualified. Although the Electical Workers Board had introduced Limited & Restricted licence schemes, for those in allied trades & associated industries. Such as Refigeration, plumers & the entertaiment industry. However they had to complete a short term technical college course & be under the supervison of a licenced sparky for upto 12 months. The entertainment techies still complain bitterly that they have to be licenced & most never bother anyway. The only licences they tend to have is for Pyro & fire arms handling supervision, only in theatre. I atempted for years to have a form of modified restricted endorsement licence, specificaly for community theatre techies. As it was back in the 70's which was jnown as a 'Pug & Cord' Licence. Which was easily enough obtained, the only prerequisit was a colour blind test & a practical set test of changing out plugs & cords, along with questions on Safety & demonstrate electricution resusitation skills. I lobied the Department & State government Minister to no avail. The answer was always no person can gain an sort of electrical licence, unless they are employed full time in that field.So unless community theatre employed thier techies, they could not aply for a restricted, limited or modified electrical licence. Needless to say licenced electrical techies in community theatre are scaser than chooks teeth. However they did make a concession with the performing arts colleges, where by the could aply as part of the course, for a licence, If the school employed a full time licenced qualified electrician, on staff as a lecturer. therefore the student would comply with the act, by having more than the minimum 12 months supervision of a licenced sparky. But to me that is where the government fopps fall down, after working with a lot of graduates, who are licenced, that have no idea what it's all about & even to the piont of an understanding of Ohms law as applied to the SAA Wiring rules & regulations, even thier colour perception is rather suspect at times. In the mean time i doubt there are a handful of comeatre techies & well meaning volunteers, fair any better. However when I approached our state community theatre association on the problem & for them as a body to support this endeavour. They didn't want to know anything about it. Mainly they were worried that they might loose those not prepared to be licenced, even in a modified test arrangement.because it would create a selected pool of techies & might cost the group money, restricting the available volunteers & they might ask to paid or expect a priverledged position within the group. so I was shot down in flames & left out on a limb. Are well I'm too old to worry about it all thier moronic fiobles now! By the way this was a regular cyc problem in venues, keeping the paws off the cyc, is not a problem with me at the moment, as the group are theatreless vagabonds. ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |