Author Topic: SCENERY: How to make a floor more slick  (Read 5885 times)

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loebtmc

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SCENERY: How to make a floor more slick
« on: Oct 23, 2015, 04:13 pm »
OK - an interesting conundrum needing any help you can offer.

Our set designer used the house floor and their paint - which is low quality and designed not to be slick - rather than the company's meso that gets painted with a higher quality paint that is less sticky, and then would usually be sealed. Our costumer used suede/leather/rubber soles on the shoes as normal based on normal floor. And normally, the challenge would be modifying the slippery qualities with a coke wash or other solution from that direction.

But the cheap paint is sticky and the actors are struggling. Feet stick to the floor (and paint comes up on the shoes so they stick to the tile in the dressing rooms too), keeping them from being able to move their legs - especially knees - without injury.

We have mopped, not mopped, mopped with soap or pine-sol or other solvents, with water, and not mopped at all. So far nothing works.

Yes the easiest solution would be to seal the floor, requiring a repaint after for the house, which means expenses the theater company is trying to avoid but will do if necessary ... if we can find the time to accomplish this while the show is running.

But does anyone have ideas how to make a floor MORE slick?

Edited to add topic tag- Maribeth
« Last Edit: Oct 27, 2015, 09:10 am by Maribeth »

iamchristuffin

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Re: How to make a floor more slick
« Reply #1 on: Oct 23, 2015, 08:03 pm »
Could a couple of coats of matt glaze on top of the sticky coat help?

megf

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Re: How to make a floor more slick
« Reply #2 on: Oct 24, 2015, 12:14 am »
It's kind of like lowering the water instead of raising the bridge... But what about gaffing the soles of shoes? Even just the ball of the foot or under the heel might make a big difference, and a couple yard of gaff is way cheaper than painting the deck with anything.

MatthewShiner

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Re: How to make a floor more slick
« Reply #3 on: Oct 24, 2015, 12:51 am »
you might just need to buck up and seal the floor . . . if the paint is coming up anyway . . .
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loebtmc

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Re: How to make a floor more slick
« Reply #4 on: Oct 24, 2015, 01:24 am »
New info: we have been told that we can't seal the floor, altho we might be able to paint over with a glossier paint, then repaint with their cheap nongloss version when we leave. Argh!

maximillionx

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Re: How to make a floor more slick
« Reply #5 on: Oct 24, 2015, 04:15 pm »
New info: we have been told that we can't seal the floor, altho we might be able to paint over with a glossier paint, then repaint with their cheap nongloss version when we leave. Argh!

Keep in mind: painting onto a surface that doesn't itself stick, will give you a floor that still may peel up depending on the activity performed on it.  It may require a few coats.....but yes, it should give you a slickier surface.

For curiosity's sake: what's the brand name of this mysterious sticky, matte paint?

loebtmc

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Re: How to make a floor more slick
« Reply #6 on: Oct 24, 2015, 11:39 pm »
I will find out - this matte paint combined with humidity is making my actors crazy!

dance stage manager

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Re: How to make a floor more slick
« Reply #7 on: Oct 26, 2015, 09:21 pm »
This is the opposite of most floor problems I have had, and I am generally not dealing with painted wood/masonite floors, so my suggestion doesn't come with much practical backup, but ...  would you try talcum powder?  Start with just the soles of shoes; if that is any improvement, maybe try a light dusting over an area that gets a once-over with a broom to evenly distribute.