18% Grey paint for a studio?

gloobag

I'm going to be moving into my own (small) studio in the coming weeks. Just wondering if anyone here knows of anywhere that sells 18% grey paint? It seems like the best option to prevent the light from bouncing all over the place without painting the place black and ending up depressed. But, I haven't been able to find it in any of paint/hardware stores I've been in so far. I know it exists (at least it does in the U.S.A.) as I've seen people talk about it on forums and such after a quick google.

In fact, any nuggets of info anyone may have about painting a studio would be welcome.

Cheers

humberklog

If you were to print off a sample from the computer you should be able to bring it in and have it replicated. They put the colour into a scanner and then the machine mixes it up there and then.

FoxT

hmmmm....

In daylight, take a photograph of a white, black, or grey card using Aperture Priority. Actually, you should do this with 3-4 white/black/grey cards. Your shutter speed will vary, but if you do this right, all of your prints will be identical..

Print it.

Bring it to your local paint specialist shop. They'll be able to mix it for you. You'll end up with something between 15% & 25% grey. That will be good enough.

-FoxT

gloobag

humberklog wrote: »

If you were to print off a sample from the computer you should be able to bring it in and have it replicated. They put the colour into a scanner and then the machine mixes it up there and then.

FoxT wrote: »

hmmmm....

In daylight, take a photograph of a white, black, or grey card using Aperture Priority. Actually, you should do this with 3-4 white/black/grey cards. Your shutter speed will vary, but if you do this right, all of your prints will be identical..

Print it.

Bring it to your local paint specialist shop. They'll be able to mix it for you. You'll end up with something between 15% & 25% grey. That will be good enough.

-FoxT

Yeah, bringing in a grey card to be scanned had crossed my mind, but wasn't sure how reliable those mixing machines are. I also assume you pay a premium for the privilege of a custom mixed colour right?

Cheers

humberklog

gloobag wrote: »

Yeah, bringing in a grey card to be scanned had crossed my mind, but wasn't sure how reliable those mixing machines are. I also assume you pay a premium for the privilege of a custom mixed colour right?

Cheers

They're spot on in my experience and don't cost any more than the pre made ones as far as I recall.

magicbastarder

or else just buy a grey card and a few sample pots to get close to what you want?

Rainbowsend

Dulux do a paint mix service that doesnt cost any extra, bring in
a Grey card and they will match it for you. B&Q Woodies etc all
have paint mix centres.

pullandbang

There is a Dulux paint that is 18% grey. Can't think of the name of it but I'll find out.

frozenfrozen

i was going to say something about 50 shades of grey but remembered this isn't after hours. Grey card is your best bet but try get a little sample first because when it dries it will change a shade and it wouldnt be too great to have to pay for more paint and cover a room again

oshead

Try Delux Ice Storm #2. Number 1 being the darkest and 7 the lightest. Ice storm is closest to neutral that you'll find. You won't find it anymore on the Delux website, but if you ask the paint mixer person in Woodies for it they'll find it in the computer and mix you up a pot. I have it on the wall and it's perfect to reduce bounce while also the best option for gels...

gloobag

pullandbang wrote: »

There is a Dulux paint that is 18% grey. Can't think of the name of it but I'll find out.

That would be great if you could

oshead wrote: »

Try Delux Ice Storm #2. Number 1 being the darkest and 7 the lightest. Ice storm is closest to neutral that you'll find. You won't find it anymore on the Delux website, but if you ask the paint mixer person in Woodies for it they'll find it in the computer and mix you up a pot. I have it on the wall and it's perfect to reduce bounce while also the best option for gels...

Apparently the Ice Storm has been replaced by Grey Steel, which seems to have a tiny bit of warmth to it when I check the RGB values in Photoshop. So, not exactly neutral, but actually not that far off of 50% grey. Would it be suitable do you think?

oshead

gloobag wrote: »

Apparently the Ice Storm has been replaced by Grey Steel

They still have the ingredients to do Ice Storm in the computer. Well at least they did a year ago. I got some in Woodies in Glasnevin.

I think being neutral and dark is more important than an 18% grey. I believe the object is to try and make the walls so non-reflective, flat, that light gets swallowed up. Start with black and go lighter till you find a nice working environment and an effective spill kill.

im invisible

Hmm... I wonder why its called 18%...

gloobag

oshead wrote: »

They still have the ingredients to do Ice Storm in the computer. Well at least they did a year ago. I got some in Woodies in Glasnevin.

I think being neutral and dark is more important than an 18% grey. I believe the object is to try and make the walls so non-reflective, flat, that light gets swallowed up. Start with black and go lighter till you find a nice working environment and an effective spill kill.

Yeah that's the thing, I've been into a couple of places asking about Ice Storm, and none of them had a clue what I was on about. I'll check a few more places though, as I got the impression these particular staff members weren't exactly the most hard working :rolleyes:

magicbastarder

im invisible wrote: »

Hmm... I wonder why its called 18%...

because it reflects 18% of the incident light.

pullandbang

gloobag wrote: »

That would be great if you could

Turns out it is Dulux Ice Storm 2.

gloobag

pullandbang wrote: »

Turns out it is Dulux Ice Storm 2.

Ha ha Why am I not surprised. Yeah, looks like I'll have to find somewhere with staff that has a clue so I can get my hands on some. Thanks anyway