Do you often have trouble finding your car in the dark? If so, glow-in-the-dark paint may be the answer. This type of paint absorbs ultraviolet rays during daylight hours and then re-emits them at night. This means that anything painted with glow paint will glow after dusk!
Glow-in-the-dark paint is luminous paint that emits a visible glow via luminescence. There are three types:
- Fluorescent
- Phosphorescent
- Radioluminescent
It’s perfect for everything from bike helmets to furniture. Read on to find out more about glow-in-the-dark paint for vehicles. We included sections on how it works and its benefits.
Can I Make My Car Glow in the Dark?
Yes! You can make your car glow at night with the help of glow-in-the-dark paints. It is not new and has been available for some time. One of the most common applications is the glow-paint for cars.
Is Glow Paint Expensive?
Glow paint is cheap to buy and apply. You can find it at your local hardware store, most DIY stores, and some department stores too.
The cost starts from $10 and can go upwards of $100 and more. However, the cost is dependent on the color, finish, and requirement.
What is Glow-in-the-Dark Paint?
Glow-in-the-dark paint is luminescent, pigments or substances. Luminosity can be achieved by fluorescent glow or phosphorescent glow-in-the-dark pigments. Moreover, it can glow without any exposure to lighting. It is because the phosphor gets excited when ionized.
Phosphorescent works by soaking up energy from low-level sources. For example, sunlight or ambient lighting. They soak the luminosity for hours on end and then release it at night.
Radioluminescent works by absorbing energy from radioactivity or other such sources. It glows for a few minutes after the source of energy has been removed.
How Does Glow-in-the-Dark Paint Work?
The glow-in-the-dark paint works by absorbing UV light during the day and then glowing at night.
The glow paint has two primary ingredients; a pigment and a chemical compound. The pigment absorbs ultraviolet light during the day to get activated. Then, after being exposed for a set period, it starts emitting a glow at night. Or sometimes when it’s placed in dim lighting conditions. A chemical compound known as photo-luminous powder binds with the pigment molecules to give out energy through fluorescence.
What Can You Add to Paint to Make it Glow in the Dark?
An additive is generally used to make glow paint. This additive contains phosphorescent materials that absorb, store, and emit light – releasing it after dark. The glow pigment absorbs UV during the day to activate, which then shines bright at night or in low lighting.
How Long Does It Take for Glow-in-the-Dark Paint to Work?
Glow-in-the-dark paint does require a recharge now and then. Depending on the brand, it has to soak up the sunlight for 2-3 hours under direct sunlight. However, few brands require only a few minutes.
Which Glow-in-the-Dark Paint Colors Shine the Brightest?
Glow paint colors comes in various colors. For example, you can choose between white, green, or blue glow hues.
Glow-in-the-dark paints glow at different intensity levels with certain color pigments. This is because they absorb more of a specific wavelength of light than others. For example, the blue glow is generally brighter than other colors. It’s also easier to see in low lighting since it reflects well in all conditions.
Colors like purple and red are not as bright. But they work fine if you’re looking for something subtle. They also don’t require direct sunlight to charge them up. This makes red and purple perfect for indoor projects.
Benefits of Glow-in-the-Dark Paint
From being used in safety signs and commercial marketing boards, glow paints have come a long way. They are used in a wide range of applications, personal, industrial, and commercial. One excellent application is on cars, where they are used to make unique designs.
The glow of fluorescent is quite intense. And hence visible from a distance and needs little lighting to be seen. The glow comes from phosphorescent materials that absorb energy and release it as a glow. That makes it an excellent choice for those who want their security or safety to be unobtrusive.
Here are some benefits:
- They are versatile and can be applied to various surfaces. It is also easy to apply.
- You can find your car at night without needing to turn on any lights.
- It is cheap to buy and apply. Hence a cost-effective way for designing beautiful car art.
- It is safe for the environment and does not have any toxic material that can affect the users.
- The glow-in-the-dark products are now available for commercial use at an affordable cost. This makes it ideal for use in eco-friendly buildings.
- It is durable and lasts longer. It can also last in all weather conditions.
How to Apply Glow-in-the-Dark Paint on Cars?
Glow-in-the-dark spray paint works by absorbing UV from natural sources during the day. It then releases the energy as a glow at night. With this simple step, you can have a glow-in-the-dark car that’s easy to access and saves money!
- A good approach is to have your car sanded and then cleaned with industrial cleaners until any dirt is removed. Doing this will make the glow pigment adhere better and last longer.
- Acrylics dry fast, making them great for painting your entire car! If you’re applying glow pigment to a car door or another surface, be sure to purchase one that’s intended for exterior use.
- Apply a white base over the car. Fluorescent requires a white base firsthand. Allow the white to dry.
- Let it dry for an hour or two, depending on how wet the surface is from being painted.
- Apply the glow-in-the-dark paint on the car and allow it to dry for a few hours.
- Seal with a clear coat once your paint has dried. It’s essential to seal the glow pigment so it doesn’t fade or rub off. To do this, apply a clear coat over your glow-in-the-dark car paint. This will prevent chipping and give you an even glow!
How Do You Activate Glow-in-the-Dark Spray Paint?
Glow-in-the-dark paint needs to be exposed to natural or artificial lighting before it will shine at night! This process is called “activation”. It differs depending on whether you’re using pigments, watercolors, or acrylic.
Now that you know how to apply, here’s how you activate the glow pigment.
- UV Light Activation
If you’re using pigment powders, mix them with latex or nitrocellulose base to give them bulk. Ensure that this mixture either contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to promote as much glow as possible. The final product can then be added to any paint medium.
If you’re using watercolors, they generally don’t need to be activated. However, before painting, check the product packaging to confirm whether activation is necessary. If so, hold the glow watercolor under ultraviolet lighting for several minutes.
Acrylic is preactivated with titanium dioxide to produce a glow.
- Sunlight Exposure
To activate glow-in-the-dark paint, place the product under natural light for six to eight hours. You can also expose it to artificial lighting from UV lamps or fluorescent lamps.
How Long Does My Car Glow Last?
The glow from this glow-in-the-dark automotive paint lasts for hours and sometimes even days. It all depends on how long it’s exposed and the product. However, if your car isn’t exposed to direct sunlight during the day, it may not glow. You can also charge it up using ultraviolet lamps.
It may be challenging to see some of the brighter colors during the daytime. This is due to the sunlight. But rest assured it will perform its job at night.
What Is the World’s Brightest Glow-in-the-Dark Pigment?
The glow pigment by LIT earns the title of being the world’s brightest glow-in-the-dark pigment. Unlike other pigments which need lighting, LIT glows with the heat alone. You can also recharge it a countless number of times. Due to its high luminescence, you can also see its brightness in ambient lighting.
Conclusion
Glow-in-the-dark paint is one of the best ways to create eye-catching and attractive designs for your car. It also makes it easier to find your car at night.
Glow-in-the-dark automotive paint lasts for hours and is easy to apply. But if you’re not getting enough sunlight during the day, it may not work as well. Hence the glow depends on your climate and location as well. Make sure to check the pigment that you’re using because some may work better than others.
Apart from pigments and spray paints, you can also opt for a peelable “Automotive Paint System.” It allows you to change the color without affecting the factory finish. Then, later on, you can peel off the dip and go back to the original color.
For professional services, check with your mechanic or automobile service center. Since 2004, Cutting Edge is committed to delivering quality service, quick turnarounds, and the best customer service in the Tucson area. If you or someone you know is in need of custom auto painting, contact us for your free quote today!