SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

UHH'ers:

How easy is it to clean a 5' x 8' beaded roll-up screen?
We have an old screen that is dirty and I would like to clean it. How and with what?

Or should I let a professional do the cleaning?

Thanks for the help!

Dave

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Is there such a professional? If it's just dirty, that's one thing, but it must be old, and possibly cracked or coming apart. Mine goes back to about 1958. Have you tried a soft, damp cloth?
Any kind of chemical would be risky.

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

Thanks for the reply Jerry.
Ours is old as well. I would estimate from the 80's or 90's.
When I referred to a pro, I meant to take it to a well known camera shop for cleaning if I could not do this myself. I don't see any signs of cracking its just dingy. No I have not taken a soft damp cloth to it as I don't know if this would hurt the screen or make it come apart.??
Thanks again Jerry.
Dave

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Have you tried projecting something onto it in the dark? Those beads are very reflective, so it might work fine. I don't know why I keep mine, but I know finding a replacement would be tough.

As you said, cleaning it might destroy it.

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

Jerry, no not in total darkness, but that is the problem. The room is "dull" and when we turn off some of the overhead lights this is where you can see the dingy on the screen.
Thanks again
Dave

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Cleaning clothing with a new product it is recommended you choose a small corner to try the product so the whole garment doesn't get ruined if the product doesn't work. I would suggest the same tact with your screen. Open the screen and try a small area near the bottom to see if it works. I would recommend placing the open screen on a large flat surface so your cleaning doesn't crack the surface. Be sure to allow to dry thoroughly before rewinding the screen.

I think it would work well. Use a mild detergent in warm water.

Dennis

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

Thanks Dennis, I was thinking along those same lines. My wife suggested mild concoction of Dawn & water.
Thanks again
Dave

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

You must have a very smart wife. I was going to suggest Dawn as well but didn't want you to rush out and buy something you did not already have. Dawn is a good cleaner and is also mild. I was going to be facetious and say I soak my D800 in it for a good thorough cleaning. But then I realized there are new people on the forum every day and somebody who knows nothing about cameras is sure to drop their D3200 into a bucket of Dawn and water to clean the lens. For some reason my personality is such that if I tell someone I just saw a whale just offshore from town nobody bill believe me. But if I say I just saw a hippo riding a bicycle down the main street they will run outside to see if they can catch a glimpse. It's a gift.

Good luck with the screen.

Dennis

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

You had me laughing out loud for sure Dennis!!!
Thanks again!
Dawn it is!
Dave
:thumbup: