Hi,
My wife is an audiologist (uh, what did you say?) who asked her favorite local contractor (me) to paint an old sound booth. The booth is a sandwich of solid steel sheet (around 20 gauge) and perforated steel sheet (holes are 1/16″d) with solid foam in between. The pieces can’t be taken apart.
The outer housing should be easy, but the interior with the steel perf will be a trick. The holes need to remain open, and I’m afraid that if I spray, the paint might attack the foam underneath. All I can come up with is rolling on paint followed by vacuuming the perf.
Does anyone have any experience with something like this? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Replies
Latex paint shouldn't hurt the foam. Can you have it electrostatically painted? That way ther paint will be attracted to the steel amd not the foam.
I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.
can ya plug the 1/16" hole with say toothpicks?
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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Why look here?
solid foam in between." ????????
Andy,
Enamel paints tend to be pretty benign, but what kind of "foam" as there are lots of differing kinds. Just test whatever you plan to use on a small section.
WSJ
In part I think it's a matter of how critical the function of the booth is. The paint, even if it doesn't attack the foam will plug it up and affect the sound absorption properties somewhat.
If this stuff is what I think it is the foam is recessed a bit below the surface of the metal. Perhaps a very short nap roller used very dry with the paint being fairly thin. Might take more than one coat to get coverage but these booths tend to be small so no major problem. As long as you don't get frustrated and try to rush it by using a more filled roller.
I would try hard to closely match the existing color as the roller will not likely get paint into the inside edge of the sheeting at the holes reliably without coating the foam. So the existing paint will still be seen at the inside of the holes. I would think as long as the color was close it would be OK.
Definitely latex paint. You might look into paints used to repaint acoustic ceiling tiles. I think I have read ads claiming various products don't change the sound absorption characteristics of the tile.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll probably follow 4LORN1 and try to roll on with a short nap roller. I'll certainly test in an inconspicous area. If SPHERE's rates are low enough, perhaps he can come help plug each hole with a toothpick; then again, with the cost of lumber these days, it might be a very expensive proposition!