What to Consider When Choosing the Best Glow in the Dark Paintsīefore you begin to shop for glow in the dark paint, weigh some key considerations. Another reason they are better suited for outside work is that they’re fade-resistant, meaning UV rays won’t cause them to discolor over time. They are more appropriate for outdoor projects since they’re able to expand and contract with changing temperatures and humidity levels. Acrylic paints tend to adhere better to surfaces than water-based paints, but clean up is more difficult because paint thinner is typically required for cleaning brushes, spills, or splattering that may occur.

They produce more fumes than water-based paints and are less eco-friendly.

AcrylicĪcrylic paints are chemical-based and are made up of colorful pigments suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion. Water-based paints don’t fare well when exposed to high humidity environments, however, so they’re ideal for indoor use. DIY projects using water-based paints are easy to clean up because you can simply use water to clean the brushes. They’re environmentally friendly in comparison with chemical-based paints and emit fewer fumes, so you won’t have to worry about them negatively affecting your children or pets. Water-based paints tend to be less expensive and more readily available. They dry more quickly, which can be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on the project. Water-BasedĪlso known as latex paints, water-based paints are made of natural ingredients. Read on to learn whether water-based or acrylic glow in the dark paint is ideal for the project you have in mind. Though the differences between the two formulas may be subtle, they can have a major impact on their performance. Glow in the dark paints are typically available in two formulations: water-based and acrylic. Lumen.Photo: Types of Glow in the Dark Paint Not the cheapest can of spray paint, but more affordable and versatile than buying a similarly glowing Mission Bicycle Co. It's not clear if LifePaint will ever come to the US, but a 4.6oz can of the Albedo100 Invisible Bright, Horse and Pets, or Permanent Metallic spray goes for $19 stateside, while a 2.3oz can of the Invisible Bright sells for $14. That could be what's lighting up the bike, rather than LifePaint itself.įor what it's worth, there another water-soluble version of the paint called 'Horse and Pets' that you can spray right onto horses, dogs, cats, and other critters that keep running into the road-or that you want to invite to your next rave. Albedo100 also has more permanent solutions in its stable, including “Permanent Metallic,” which is designed to be sprayed onto bikes, signs, and stenciled patterns. If you're wondering why, if LifePaint is intended for fabrics, there's a brightly glowing bike in its promotional materials, that's probably a little bit of misdirection on Volvo's part. At night, car headlights will ping off the paint and make anything covered with it look like a glowing blob. It’s designed to reflect light back towards its source like reflective safety tape. Once the paint is applied, it’s purportedly invisible in daylight unless you shine a bright light directly at it.

Clear luminous paint