Written By:
Table of Contents_
If you want your home cinema to be as immersive as possible, you need to know how to get wrinkles out of a projector screen. Even the best projectors cannot display correctly on a wavy screen. So for the best projection surface possible, learn how to smooth out that screen fabric for a fantastic viewing surface.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Don’t fret if you’re dealing with subpar picture quality. It’s good to ask hard questions like, “What is a 4K projector?” and “Why are 4K projectors so expensive?” Typically, your wavy screen is probably causing you to miss out on the details. In addition, an uneven surface will cause your image brightness to be inconsistent. For further information on gain, check out our article on what is gain for a projector screen. Luckily, there are a few options and solutions to attain a smooth surface for your projector.
Insider Tip
Never apply heat to the front of your projector screen. Heat will warp the surface, especially if it is a premium vinyl unit.
A tension frame, also called a tension mount, is an excellent option for a smooth screen. The tension frame stretches the screen with latches on the top and bottom of the screen. Some portable screens come with a tension frame, but they are usually made from cheaper materials. So, if you’re learning how to build a projector screen, make sure you have the right specifications to include the tension for the screen.
If the tension mount didn’t fully fix the issue, consider turning up the temperature in your theater room. You can use a space heater or your central heating, but the room needs to be at least 85 degrees to loosen the screen. The screen will tighten between our tension mount as the room cools, and the wrinkles should be gone.
An accessible solution is to use a blow dryer on your screen, but only on the back to avoid damage to the screen. Then, hang the screen and use your hairdryer on minimal heat. You can also use a heat gun on its lowest setting. That said, this method takes much time.
Using an iron is the most dangerous option. You need to use extreme caution to avoid damaging your screen’s delicate surface. If all other options have failed, place your projector screen on a soft cotton cloth to prevent scratching the screen. Just like the blow dryer, use minimal heat with the lowest setting until you have a smooth screen. Use a damp or dry cloth between the iron and the back of your screen for extra safety.
Once your projector screen is set up, it’s time to look for a great projector. You can start with our Optoma 4K projector review.
Warning
Only use the iron method to straighten your screen if all other methods have failed.
F.A.Q.S
How do you clean a projector screen?
Wear latex gloves and a damp microfiber cloth for a clean projector screen. First, wipe away any dirt particles from the screen material, but only in straight lines (up or down) to avoid potential damage. Follow up with a dry microfiber cloth to clear away any remaining dust particles.
How do you get scratches out of a projector screen?
If a scratch doesn’t get lighter with a simple cleaning, take the screen to a professional to avoid doing more damage.
How do you get stains out of a projection screen?
Use denatured alcohol and cotton swabs. That said, the alcohol will stain your screen if you leave it on too long.
STAT: With studios streaming movies to home theaters, they can expect to increase their marginal revenue by up to 12% in the first eight weeks of a new release. (source)
REFERENCES: