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Thread: Official Mats: Ideas for toning down the colors?

  1. #1

    Default Official Mats: Ideas for toning down the colors?

    I've got a trio of the original WGF play mats. I like the material-- they're much better to use than my old homemade cloth mat.

    The one thing I don't like is the bright colors-- I feel the take away from the planes, which are the star of the show.

    I'd like to tone down the garish nature of the mat colors-- but I don't want to ruin my mats.

    Has anyone done this? Any advice?

  2. #2

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    Set them in the sun for a month??

  3. #3

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by Oberst Hajj View Post
    Set them in the sun for a month??
    I actually thought about doing that, but I was afraid it would also degrade the material....

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by rcboater View Post
    I actually thought about doing that, but I was afraid it would also degrade the material....
    Huh. Is this likely? I'm not doubting, just have no idea...

  6. #6

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    UV exposure, could be bad, hate to have them turn to dust . . .

  7. #7

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    http://www.itranrubber.com/newsletter.php

    Hmmmm!!!!! Maybe exposure to heat and light not a good idea.

  8. #8

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    What about using a layer of something semi opaque over the top?
    Shower curtain? Insect net? Grease proof paper? Anything which allows most of the image through.
    Then a clear layer of polythene plastic over the top of that will hold everything in place and make the surface more playable.

  9. #9

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    One way to tone down the bright colors- wear dark sun glasses.

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by 'Warspite' View Post
    What about using a layer of something semi opaque over the top?
    Shower curtain? Insect net? Grease proof paper? Anything which allows most of the image through.
    Then a clear layer of polythene plastic over the top of that will hold everything in place and make the surface more playable.
    Hmmm... This has potential. I want to use the play mats, but the contrast between the planes/cards and the mats is non-existent. So, for Skype games nearly useless.

    If I had a translucent material to overlay the mats... I have to check this out.

    Off to talk to my Better Half about fabric options. I'll get back to you on the results. Perhaps the solution will be in use at the next Skype game.
    Mike
    "Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
    "Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by OldGuy59 View Post
    Hmmm... This has potential. I want to use the play mats, but the contrast between the planes/cards and the mats is non-existent. So, for Skype games nearly useless.

    If I had a translucent material to overlay the mats... I have to check this out.

    Off to talk to my Better Half about fabric options. I'll get back to you on the results. Perhaps the solution will be in use at the next Skype game.
    Happy to be of service. Think laterally!
    If in doubt, a walk around a DIY store and see what is on offer.

  12. #12

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    I found some grey tulle that wasn't too opaque, and gave it a try.

    Cards matched to their spots on the mat:
    Name:  mat-CardsNorm.jpg
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Size:  173.0 KB

    Cards on their spots, but with the grey tulle double overlayed:
    Name:  mat-CardsTuel.jpg
Views: 229
Size:  159.6 KB

    It barely tones down the colors.

    Tulle over the mat, with a card under and a card over the fabric:
    Name:  tulleCheck.png
Views: 152
Size:  761.3 KB

    And what it looked like from the webcam (Fokker Dr.1 with Wings of War D deck, Sopwith Triplane with Wings of Glory U deck):
    Without:
    Name:  2016-03-06 1cCrop.jpg
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Size:  443.9 KB

    With tulle overlay:
    Name:  2016-03-06 2cCrop.jpg
Views: 174
Size:  402.4 KB

    And with my usual flannel fabric:
    Name:  2016-03-06 3cCrop.jpg
Views: 174
Size:  81.1 KB

    Close-ups with a camera:
    Without:
    Name:  IMG_3255Comp.jpg
Views: 174
Size:  182.0 KB

    With tulle overlay:
    Name:  IMG_3257Comp.jpg
Views: 176
Size:  179.8 KB

    Not faded enough? Certainly not good enough for the Skype games, I would think. And the tulle makes for a very slippery surface, which could be better or worse for various reasons. Much too easy to jostle planes, perhaps. The 3 meters of fabric was enough to cover the two mats in a double layer, which might take a third layer to really desaturate the colors. With my Better Half's discount card, the fabric was $4.00. So, not an expensive experiment.

    Safer than sun-bleaching the expensive mats.

    Thoughts?
    Last edited by OldGuy59; 03-07-2016 at 01:19.
    Mike
    "Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
    "Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59

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    That seems to be what I was suggesting earlier. The extra layers also give you some controllability. It is just the slipperiness which is an issue.

    Hmmmm (goes off and ponders)



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