ABSTRACT
Hard scenery, like soft goods, requires considerable preparation, and a primer coat is absolutely essential for most items. Walls, commonly called flats, constitute the vast majority of hard scenery and come in one of two basic categories: hard-covered or soft-covered. Hard-covered flats are wooden or metallic frames with a thin, rigid skin face or covering to them. Soft-covered flats are similarly framed walls but have only a fabric surface, not unlike an oversized paint canvas. When dealing with any wood or wood-based product, the primer must serve as a barrier between the natural stains in the wood and the paint. Noncellulosic materials, such as plaster, metals, plastic, and foams, are common in set construction, and their use is increasing. Plaster must be primed before it is painted because the surface is too absorbent to take paint evenly. Two-part resin systems consist of a resin and hardener. Two-part systems are used in adhesive, paints, and hard-shell coating processes.
