Painting a wall black

Hi, I am paiting my wall so that I can use the projector. Outside the screen area I want to make it flat black. The guy at Sherwood-Williams suggested I use a spray-can (Krylion flat black) with no primer as I am paiting on top of the previous paint.

I tried it; I think I might need a total of four cans for the first coat (the wall below is light yellow). The problem is that the can creates a lot of dust, not a big deal, I can vacuum it and it cleans well, but it's still a lot of work.

What do you think the advantage of the spray-can is? Should I switch to "regular" paint that I apply with a roll? As you can see I am not an experienced painter

 

Personally I would roll on a flat black paint with a thick nap or textured roller. The texture will help hide imperfections in the wall and if light hit's it's uneven surface it will scatter it better than a very flat surface. Outside that I'd consider curtains or fabric covered panels instead of a painted wall.

If your wall is quite perfect and you do a great job with the spray cans you might get an acceptable finish but it will be tough. The spray pattern from a can is roughly circular so it's hard to get even coverage.

That dust is paint. Using an aerosol can is very inefficient so only a portion of the paint you spray is ending up on the wall. If it dries before it hits a surface you've just got dust but if it's still wet you could have a mess on your hand. So, put drop cloths on everything and take off your paining shoes before stepping onto a good surface. Also, I highly recommend a cartridge style mask in addition to as much ventilation you provide.

 

Hi! Well it was very easy to clean with a shop vac, even the one that landed on the white sofas. And I used a cartdrige mask.

But, if you say paint with a roller is better, that is perfect to me. The part of the wall that I want to paint black is already textured, in fact I had to finish the screen area with joint compound to make it perfectly flat.

So I just go to a paint shop and buy flat black paint and a big think roller. Any suggestion which paint I should get?

 

Go to Porter Paints or Sherwin Williams pick up a gallon of flat black and roll it on, That way you will have a smooth finish as spray cans tend to have runs if put on to heavy. Also its easier on the fingers.

 

Hm the area I want to cover is about 70 square feet. Let's say an equivalent of ~150 square feet for two coats... Maybe a gallon is a little too much, I asked at the store and they only have the one gallon size, the quart is order-only for the "Superpaint" flat sheen variety.

 

A gallon of paint generally covers 300 square feet or a little more (maybe 400 if you're lucky). So it does look like a gallon is more than you need but check the price on the quarts and I bet the gallon is pretty close to the same as two quarts.

 

Buy the gallon. By the time you buy two quarts, you will have spent close to the cost of a gallon.

Chris

 

If the 70 sq ft already has a coat of black on it - 1 qt of black paint is probably enough. Unless the wall texture is extra heavy, 1/2" nap should work fine. I rarely buy qts of paint, I'd buy a gallon, expecting to have use for the remainder later on...... but if you don't expect any future use for the paint and the wall already has a coat of black - 1 qt should finish the job.

The SWP employee that recommended using a rattle can must of been a new hire. If you go back to the same store, mention the bad advice given on the previous visit and maybe they will give you a discount on your next purchase.