OT: How to clean a greenscreen?

Randy Brown wrote on 5/19/2011, 12:16 PM
I have one of those 8 x 10 pop-out greenscreens.
I had it leaning against a wall out of it's case and my son's giant 100 pound plus Pit Bull took a giant leak on it.
I didn't discover it until it was totally dried and it now has a very noticeable giant stain.
Any ideas as to how to clean it? I thought about folding it up and sticking it in the washer on delicate but thought I should see what you guys think first.
Thanks,
Randy

Comments

JackW wrote on 5/19/2011, 10:32 PM
I'd go to a high quality rug cleaning establishment and ask them what they use to remove urine from carpets. Years ago when we owned a dog we had a spray bottle of a chemical compound called "UrineX" which worked wonders on a white carpet.

You might also talk to a professional dry cleaner. They too have to deal with pee on fabric.

For me, the washing machine would be the last resort.

Good luck.

Jack
farss wrote on 5/20/2011, 1:38 AM
The "pop-out" hoop would be a worry as it's steel that rusts easily.
I'd prop it up outdoors and use a hose and a good detergent with a soft brush to scrub it. Let it drain and dry.
Those things aren't that expensive so if what I suggested doesn't work it hardly seems worthwhile spending money with a professional cleaner, they're going to charge you a lot because of the pop-out nature of the thing. TBH I'm not even certain if they'd take on the job.

Bob.
Randy Brown wrote on 5/20/2011, 5:16 AM
I think I'll try Urine-X along with hosing it down...it really wasn't that expensive come to think of it.
I guess my main concern was some kind of sheen stuff on them that would be damaged to render it worthless.
Thanks guys,
Randy
Dan Sherman wrote on 5/20/2011, 6:18 AM
Never thought of a pit bull being dangerous from both ends.
Randy Brown wrote on 5/20/2011, 6:25 AM
Just one end actually...he can be intimidated by our 4 pound Chihuahua!
farss wrote on 5/20/2011, 6:47 AM
What kind of material is the screen made of?
If it does have a sheen then I suspect it will be largely impervious to water anyway, you only need a detergent to act as a wetting agent. Getting the right wetting agent / detergent involves a bit of chemstry due to surface charge i.e. anionic or cationic detergent.

If it is cotton or cotton blend fabric then detergents are unlikely to harm it in anyway.

Bob.
dxdy wrote on 5/20/2011, 7:25 AM
I have one of those snap-frame green screens, purchased on sale from Digital Juice. The spec sheet says the cloth is underlayed by a sheet of foam of some sort. Dry cleaning might separate the layers.

The good news is with the dog in the house, no one will steal it. (unless like my pit, she might lick intruders half to death.)
Randy Brown wrote on 5/20/2011, 4:28 PM
I wound up saying the hell with this unruly thing and wadded it up and threw it in the washer (delicate cycle : ) hung it up outside to dry and it seems okay now hung on the wall.
I have a green screen shoot next weekend, I'll report back after seeing how it keys.
Thanks very much guys,
Randy
amendegw wrote on 5/20/2011, 5:04 PM
"I have a green screen shoot next weekend, I'll report back after seeing how it keys."Hmmm... would a test be in order prior to the shoot? Also, and maybe you already know this, make sure you iron the green screen before use as wrinkles cause mucho problems.

...Jerry

System Model:     Alienware M18 R1
System:           Windows 11 Pro
Processor:        13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-13980HX, 2200 Mhz, 24 Core(s), 32 Logical Processor(s)

Installed Memory: 64.0 GB
Display Adapter:  NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU (16GB), Nvidia Studio Driver 566.14 Nov 2024
Overclock Off

Display:          1920x1200 240 hertz
Storage (8TB Total):
    OS Drive:       NVMe KIOXIA 4096GB
        Data Drive:     NVMe Samsung SSD 990 PRO 4TB
        Data Drive:     Glyph Blackbox Pro 14TB

Vegas Pro 22 Build 239

Cameras:
Canon R5 Mark II
Canon R3
Sony A9

farss wrote on 5/21/2011, 12:45 AM
" make sure you iron the green screen before use as wrinkles cause mucho problems."

Ooh, I'd be a smidge careful. If this pop out one is anything like the DJ one they have a foam core with fabric laminated onto that. Me thinks ironing might melt something. Also the metal hoop will tend to provide enough even tension to avoid serious wrinkles.

We've got the Scrim Jim CK backdrops that you velcro onto the stock SJ frame. Never had a problem with wrinkles, the fabric is quite thick and just doesn't hold a wrinkle. What I've found is a right PIA if you don't light them dead right is the weave in the fabric. Getting the talent far enough away from the screen so the screen is a bit out of focus would also fix it.

We've got a another couple of huge CK screens for full body shots and they are thinner fabric and oh yes, they wrinkle. On tip from the pros (not me) is to use one of those suit steamers rather than an iron. Not tried it myself but it makes a lot of sense.

While we're on the subject of housework, anyone got an idea how to clean "china silks". They're quite expensive and they get dirty. Problem is mostly cosmetic as they're never is shot. My concern is being natural fibre if they shrink they will not fit the frame.

Bob.



amendegw wrote on 5/21/2011, 3:45 AM
"Ooh, I'd be a smidge careful..."Ah, yes - I should have said, "Read the instructions that came with your green screen regarding wrinkle removal". My green screen is a Westcott and there are specific ironing instructions.

...Jerry

System Model:     Alienware M18 R1
System:           Windows 11 Pro
Processor:        13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-13980HX, 2200 Mhz, 24 Core(s), 32 Logical Processor(s)

Installed Memory: 64.0 GB
Display Adapter:  NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU (16GB), Nvidia Studio Driver 566.14 Nov 2024
Overclock Off

Display:          1920x1200 240 hertz
Storage (8TB Total):
    OS Drive:       NVMe KIOXIA 4096GB
        Data Drive:     NVMe Samsung SSD 990 PRO 4TB
        Data Drive:     Glyph Blackbox Pro 14TB

Vegas Pro 22 Build 239

Cameras:
Canon R5 Mark II
Canon R3
Sony A9

farss wrote on 5/21/2011, 4:03 AM
" My green screen is a Westcott "

Which one, they make various kinds?
How do you find it?

Bob.
Randy Brown wrote on 5/21/2011, 5:55 AM
This one has always had an issue with wrinkles unless I pin it to the wall stretching it...it seems they would have used a non-wrinkling material since it's designed to be "collapsed" and stuffed into a bag.
I didn't think of it as being cheap when I paid for it but maybe it is.
Anyway, we've pinned it to the wall and will do a test shoot on Monday.
Problem is now I have an approximately 4" x 6" darker spot (like a grease stain) in the middle of it.
I don't have a clue what it could be but it may be time to buy another greenscreen...and maybe keep it away from any Pit Bulls???!!!
Thanks very much everyone,
Randy