How to Make Your Own Transparent Fluorescent Paint

Written By
John Shields
John Shields
Published: Aug 22, 2011
Updated: Feb 23, 2021
2 minute read

Fluorescent paint refers to paint that glows when exposed to ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation, known colloquially as UV rays. These rays are typically applied to the paint through the use of a black light. When UV rays hit the paint, the energy is reflected back to your eyes in the form of visible light. There are two kinds of fluorescent paint, visible fluorescent paint and invisible (or transparent) fluorescent paint. Invisible fluorescent paint is sometimes called transparent fluorescent paint. The colors displayed by transparent fluorescent paint under a black light depend entirely on the pigment of the black light that is used.

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • Clear Paint
  • Black Light
  • Paint Brushes
  • Glow Powder
  • Mixing Stick
  • Large Measuring Cup
  • Can Or Container With Lid
  • Decide how much paint you will need and pour it into an old paint can or container. If you are not quite sure, add more paint than you think you will need. It is better to have too much than too little.

    Pour some paint into the measuring cup, note the amount and pour it into the can. Keep track of how much paint you add to the can.

    Open your pack of glow powder. According to Glow Inc., you should add approximately 1 part of glow powder for every 10 parts of paint. This means that if you have 1 liter of paint, you should add 100 milliliters of glow powder.

    Cover the container with its lid and shake it for between one and three minutes. Remove the lid and continue mixing using your stirring stick. Continue mixing until there is a uniform consistency.

    Remove the stirring stick. Take a paint brush and dip it in the mixture. Paint it onto a surface, turn off the lights and shine the black light at the painted surface.

    John Shields

    John Shields has written marketing materials and media releases since 2009. In 2010, he received a Master of Arts from York University. He currently works as an intern for a charitable criminological research organization. Shields is…

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