SUGGESTIONS FOR REMOVING DIRT AND STAINS FROM MOTION PICTURE PROJECTION SCREENS

We have found that the best results toward removing dust and dirt can be obtained very carefully dusting the entire surface of the screen with a screen brush or a very soft cloth. Extreme care sure be exercised in doing this so that the surface of the screen will not be scratched either by particles of dust adhering to it or by the cleaning process itself.

Any accumulation of dust in the perforations may be removed by use of a vacuum cleaner (soft brush attachment) used o­n the back side of the screen.

Stains may best be removed by sponging the area with a soft cloth or tissue wet with warm water and mild soap. The area should be backed up firmly so that the material is not stretched at this point. The applicator should be fairly wet to soften and remove the stain but care should be taken not to let the water run and carry the stain beyond its own area. A dabbing, sponging motion should be used to avert abrasion which is the chief danger to changing the reflection outside of any chemical change that might occur from milk or milk products. As o­ne area or layer of stain is softened it should be blotted with tissue or absorbent cloth and the process patiently repeated. The board supporting the back of the screen should be wiped between applications to avoid excessive liquid running down the back of the screen and out of the perforations further down.

Layers of satin caught in the perforations can be pushed through the back with a paper clip or other wire of proper proportion or diameter. The sides of the perforation will remain coated and these are the most difficult to clean properly. This will not affect reflection except at quite wide angles. Eggs and similar stains should be allowed to dry and then flaked.

Some of the discoloration in a screen, in addition to the normal accumulation of dust and dirt over a period of years, may be nicotine deposit and we know of no method of removing this that would seriously damage the surface of the screen. A small corner area of the screen should be worked o­n first to determine the possible results before proceeding to clean the entire surface of the screen. We are not familiar with any manufactured product which we would recommend for cleaning screens.