Cyclorama Paint – Specs, Application & Coverage
Specs, application and how much you will need
The technical detail for TV White (5735), how to lay it on a cyc so it stays even, and a quick coverage estimate.
Technical specifications
| Reflectance | 60% — maximum brightness for video white balancing |
|---|---|
| Finish | Super-matte, designed to reduce unintended reflections |
| Type | Water-based vinyl acrylic |
| Solvent / clean-up | Water |
| VOC | Low, maximum 50 g/L |
| Coverage | Approx. 28 m² per 3.79 L (about 7.4 m² per litre) per coat, depending on surface and method |
| Dry time | Touch dry approx. 30 min at 24°C |
| Recoat time | Approx. 1–2 hours |
| Dry film thickness | Approx. 0.05 mm |
| Dilution | Use straight from the tin, or thin up to 10% with clean water |
| Size | 3.79 L (1 US gallon) |
| Apply with | Brush, roller or spray |
Figures per published data. Coverage and appearance vary with surface, porosity, application and your lighting and camera setup.
How to paint a cyclorama
On a cyc the base does most of the work. Get an even, well-primed surface and TV White does the rest.
Always test on a sample first — before you go any further
Every space is different: the wall, the substrate, the prep, the lighting and camera setup. No approach applies across the board. Paint a test patch, light it and check it on your actual camera, confirm you are happy, and document what you did — product, coats, dilution, date. Only then do the whole cyc.
Prep the surface
Clean, dry and dust-free. Fill and sand imperfections, because cyc lighting will reveal every defect once you wash a gradient across it.
Prime porous areas
Rosco specifies priming porous surfaces. We recommend Tough Prime White as the base under TV White for uniform colour and adhesion across a large wall.
Mix, do not shake
Stir until uniform. Use straight from the tin, or thin up to 10% with clean water if you need it for spray or a smoother lay-off.
Apply thin, even coats
Brush, roller or spray. Keep a wet edge and work in thin, even coats to reduce visible roller patterns and lap marks.
Recoat the same day
Touch dry in about 30 minutes and recoatable in roughly 1 to 2 hours, so a couple of coats can go on in a day.
Test under your lights
Before committing the whole cyc, paint a test section on the real substrate and check it under your intended lighting and through the camera.
How much will you need?
Based on roughly 28 m² per 3.79 L tin per coat. Two coats is a sensible starting point for a cyc, more on very porous or patchy surfaces. If your surface is porous, a third coat may be needed — always test your own surface first, as every one varies.
Estimate only — real coverage depends on your cloth or surface's porosity, texture and how the paint is applied. A porous, rough or bare cloth or surface can absorb more and may need an extra coat, so test your own cloth or surface first and allow a little extra. This is a guide, not a guarantee.
Not sure of the area? For a curved sweep, measure the width and the full height up and over the curve, and multiply. Send us the numbers and we will check it with you.
Next step · Step 3 of 3 Try it, or get your paint → ← Back to the overviewPlanning a cyc or studio backdrop?
We are the exclusive Rosco distributor for Australia and New Zealand, supplying film and TV studios, broadcasters, photographers, content creators, virtual production stages, events and exhibition crews and theatres. Tell us your wall or cyc size in metres, including any curved sweep, and we will help you work out coats and quantity.