Hey Guys! We are FINALLY remodeling our stage in the children's ministry building. I'm looking for suggestions on which/what kind of paint to use to paint our stage surface flat black. We are going for a black box effect to emphasize scenery and the like instead of fixed scenery. I'm pretty much seeing that most people are using an exterior flat black pain. Any other suggestions would be appreciated!

As a starting point, black is fine, but with any luck, you'll be painting it other colors as you do new shows.

As a "base line" stage finish, I recommend two coats of standard flat black paint. Allow both to dry in between, and don't let people walk on it or track dust. Then, I recommend Minwax Polycryllic Water Clean Up (blue label) in the Satin finish as a clear coat. Let it dry and cure for at least 24 hours before first use. You can accelerate drying/curing by turning all the stage lights on to "bake" it. You can use a brush for it, which will give a smooth finish, but since we regularly paint and re-paint our stage, I clear coat using a new, clean roller. The surface is a little stubbly at first, but it levels itself out.

For future coats, you can probably get away with one coat of black, with some touch-ups, followed by the clear coat. Stay away from glossy or even eggshell finishes for the paint. It adds too much thickness, takes LONGER to dry than flat and clearcoat, and provides uneven results, in my experience.

Hope this helps.

I agree with the suggestion of 2 coats of flat black paint - exterior. That's what we used at university for our black box venue. We'd often repaint it, maybe once a year or semester as it would often get painted during the course for various shows we did.

Those sound like great options! Our contractor is resurfacing the stage with luan and has suggested that we use an oil based primer/paint to cover it. Is there a big advantage of oil based vs. latex when you cover it with the clear coat? We're not really going to be painting the stage for productions, but are just trying to set up a back box effect. I'm planing on painting Thursday and Friday of this week as they should be finished with the stage construction today, but we have a class in there tomorrow night and I don't want to fume out our kids!

While you are not going to be painting the stage for productions, I bet you well be painting it black again more times then you realize. Think about all those dirty feet walking on it and all the heavy things dropped on it that leave a small scrape or gash showing the raw wood.

I would say stick with latex.  Cheaper, cleaner and dries faster as a rule.

When you clear coat it, no there's not much of a difference. But yes, it will take a bit longer to dry. Latex will be dry in about an hour, depending on humidity.

Note that lauan is a VERY soft surface. It will likely get dings and divets very quickly. It's not impossible to replace, but there are better, longer-lasting options. I assume that they put some sort of a sub-floor in place, minimum 3/4", probably OSB or plywood, with appropriately spaced runners made of 2x stock?

We are about to build a set as well.  I say set because it won't be elevated on a stage, but more like a wall with holes for puppets! But I'm going to be painting a treehouse and grass etc on it.  But the advice here is good to have.

Yes, the luan is going over the old subfloor that was on the stage. It was originally carpeted, but the stage itself was built by volunteers eons ago, so the carpentry work isn't the best. We were originally just going to putty and sand the floors but there were too many gaps. The luan is going on to help smooth out the surface and help with the gaps. The long term plan is to eventually cover it with a rubber/vinyl  flooring in a few years as this was not in the budget to install this time. We're just trying to get something functional until then.

You know we always used Tempered Hardwood for the top layer of floors. http://www.homedepot.com/Lumber-Composites-Plywood-Sheathing-Subfloor/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbqm7/R-202404545/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051  Don't know if that would be an option for you or not.

We'll have to keep that in mind! They're already applying the luan so we'll have to see how it works. Worst case scenario is that we resurface it later with the tempered hardwood, or just bite the bullet and pay for the rubber flooring. Incidentally, anybody have any ideas for a cheap curtain to cover the back wall? I'm in contact with Rosebrand right now obtaining quotes for an 11' x 34' curtain. We thought about making one ourselves, but our fabric store really didn't have any material that seemed feasible.