Trim Coil Backdrop

Discussion in 'General' started by Boomer John, Nov 20, 2010.

  1. Boomer John

    Boomer John Member

    I had a failed attempt at a layout about 30 years ago in a basement that was a copy of the one Anthony Perkins kept his mother in in the movie Psycho. I had some bad experience trying to use masonite for a backdrop. If is heavy, hard to transport for the lumber yard and you need a table saw to get a straight cut. I also remember it coming around and slapping me in the face when I was trying to hang it. So this time I decided to try something different, aluminum trim coil. Here is my experience.

    I have no idea what trim coil is used for. I bought a fifty foot role at Home Depot for $69.00 (less my 10% veterans discount, I knew that would come in handy someday). It is two feet wide. I was pleased that although it comes in a coil it roles out flat. It is pretty easy to cut, although you probably can't get there with the kitchen scissors, I bought some shears for about $12.00. I worked with about a 10 foot section, having to take an inch off the top to get it down to 23 inches. I glued it with liquid nails between two the the wall brackets on my shelve system (i.e. I extended these two feet above the layout surface when securing them to the wall.
    There was no other bracing except the liquid nails on three brackets.

    A couple of points.

    1) Although there are no sharp edges, it is best to wear gloves in that you may create a burr while cutting. I didn't and took some hits.

    2) You need good lighting when painting. Since it is metal it does not absorb the paint so if you are not careful brush strokes will show.

    3) But not having perfect coverage has some benefits. The trim coil is white so it will show through in places because of uneven coverage. So your backdrop is not perfectly blue, but a mixture of various shades of blue and white.

    4) I used Behr Skylark Blur (flat) upon recommendation from shelf layout wizard Lance Mindheim.

    I very pleased with this, looks good, and did not have trouble with transportation or cutting, and didn't get hit in the face.

    John :)
     
  2. SAFN SAAP

    SAFN SAAP Member

    Sounds interesting. Can you post up some pictures?
     
  3. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    John -
    I'd consider the same stuff after using a smaller roll to patch over some of our wood fascia/soffit where varmints had gnawed. It's good to hear someone has tested it out with reasonable results.

    I need to scope out my leftover paint at the "old house." There may be some good enough blue paint that I can move over, if I haven't already disposed of it.

    Best Regards,
     
  4. trainsignguy

    trainsignguy Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Thanks for the post John.

    I am considering using this as a backdrop between the lower and upper deck of my layout. This should be a good way to hide the shelf brackets for the upper deck with a very minimal loss of real estate on the bottom layer. And an easy way to add a seamless backdrop without having to mud and sand sheetrock.

    Dale Rush
    Carthage, MO
     
  5. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Pics! Pics!!! We demand pics!

    Andre Ming
     

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