Application Technique for Glow Powder?

[mrsinbad]

I just got some glow powder and was wondering what the best technique apply them was. I heard mixing in Nail Polish turned out bad. So, should I:

1) Mix it in epoxy then apply?
2) Apply the epoxy then sprinkle generously on the epoxy?
3) Mix it in the epoxy AND then sprinkle generously on the epoxy?

Of course, I intend to paint the underside white to help with the reflective properties (or should I try silver?).

 

[John N]

Getting a Great Glow

 

[greenLED]

DarkZero is THE master of glow powder application

I see Greenlight (we're somehow "reLEDted" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crackup.gif) posting a lot about glowing stuff, check his posts.

I just got several bottles of paint from glowinc.inc It's as simple as shake-and-paint. I've never tried the epoxy+GIDP trick before.

 

[Skylighter]

mrsinbad,

It depends on what you are coating. In most cases, the premixed paint provides the best results. Short of that, it depends on the thickness. Cheap, Clear nail polish works ok for a thin film. For thicker applications, use the epoxy. In either case, just mix it right into the medium. Do a test sample first before wasting the powder on a medium that doesnt work.

Forget about the white undercoat. It just doesnt make that much of a difference to worry about.

 

[greenlight]

Cheers, Green,
Maybe there is some green connection. Anyway, nothing wrong with nail polish. I recommend adding some glass pieces as a mixing agent.

 

[greenLED]

Howzit, cousin! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Now I know why you like this stuff so much, it's *sooooo* cool!

Danny, are there instances where a white undercoat would actually make a difference?

 

[chevrofreak]

Personally I mix it with 2 ton epoxy. Theres more powder in the mix than epoxy, so it may seem like it wont all get mixed in, but it does. It makes a thick paste like mixture. Works well and doesnt run.

 

[chevrofreak]

Hah, I just read DarkZero's technique and its nearly identical to mine, we even use the same epoxy /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Skylighter]

GreenLED,

The white undercoat smoothes out the glow and hides the sandy look. If you have thick layers or a high ratio of pigment to medium (as in our paints), it makes nominal difference. It also makes a bigger difference if you are looking very close at the object. But in my experience, it is typically more important to have control over the background color than the smoothness provided by the white. It is also more durable to paint a surface directly. Assuming that the above two items are irrelevant to your project, than I would suggest a white background.

Actually, I would suggest a glossy paint similar to the color of daytime appearance of the paint. In the case of Ultra Green, this would be a bright white with a slight tint of flourescent green.

 

[greenLED]

Gotcha, thanks, Danny!