Fluorescent paints: properties and scope

During renovation work, interior decoration, designers and craftsmen use fluorescent paint. What it is? Does spray paint glow in the dark?

Answers to these and other questions regarding fluorescent paint will be given in this article.

Fluorescent paint coatings, or phosphor-based paints, are a special type of material that is distinguished by a special reaction to light rays. When directing simple light rays or ultraviolet light to the paint, the volume of the image increases and the brightness increases many times.

The use of fluorescent paints has become frequent in the work of graphic designers, who transform ordinary gray spaces into spaces that attract attention and cause delight.

Fluorescent paints are endowed with special properties - luminescence. This is the effect of a special glow at night. During the day, the surface painted with this paint accumulates light energy, and at night it gives it away. Shimmer in various shades and the painted surface can shine in the dark for up to twelve hours.

Everything around glows under ultraviolet light. 15 minutes of daylight is enough for her to recharge the glow for the whole night..

In addition, the pigment included in the composition of the paintwork has another unique property - it gives the painted surface or pattern an acidic color saturation. The range of colors is wide - from raspberry to lemon shades.

The unique properties of fluorescent dyes include:

• Reflective effect that can reach 150-300%. To understand the uniqueness, you should compare this effect with ordinary paint, in which it barely reaches 85%.
• Complete safety in use, since there are no harmful components in the composition.
• The glow in the dark effect can last long enough.

Glowing paints have long taken their place of honor in the modern world, forever settling in many industries and directions. Today, the application of paints simply does not exist - they are used on land, under water, in space.

There are two types of luminous paints and varnishes that have significant differences:

• luminescent;
• fluorescent.

Luminescent paint Is a paint and varnish material based on a phosphor. Products or surfaces painted with it glow in the dark. It is often used by artists to create drawings, paintings. The pigment contained in it feeds on solar energy or bright artificial lighting throughout the day, and at night illuminates the painted surface and everything around.

The features of this paint include:

• pigment size equal to five microns;
• smoothness and perfect evenness of the surface on which the paint is applied;
• half-hour make-up for a 12-hour glow;

• the presence of a greenish and bluish glow, which is present due to the phosphor;
• long service life of the paint, which reaches 30 years;
• frost resistance;
• moisture resistance;
• the absence of toxic substances that negatively affect human health;
• high cost.

Fluorescent paint - a coloring material that is not powered by solar energy, but shines under the influence of ultraviolet rays.The fluorescent included in the composition does not glow, but only reflects the light spectrum.

The features of this paint are:

• continuous glow under the influence of ultraviolet rays;
• the color palette includes eight bright colors, as well as many different shades that are formed when paints are mixed;
• the pigment size of the finished paint reaches 75 microns;
• when exposed to sunlight, the fluorescent paint fades and fades;
• does not withstand high temperature conditions, with a drop it simply collapses;
• affordable price segment.

There are four main types of fluorescent ink on the market today:

• Acrylic enamel for use in interior decoration. Often used when renovating or changing the interior.
• Acrylic enamel, which is intended for painting the facades of houses.

• Spray paint containing urethane and alkydane. It is a versatile paint and varnish coating. This type of coating is produced in cans that are convenient for use.
• Invisible paints. They are almost invisible on light surfaces, but this is during the daytime. In the dark, they acquire a whitish tint in the form of chaotic stains. They are often used by designers in exclusive projects. This paint was also used in highlighting road signs.

Enamel for decorating interior items can be applied to almost any surface, be it wood, plasterboard surfaces, paper, stone. Exceptions are plastic and metal surfaces.

The color shade of acrylic enamel is determined by its composition, which includes acrylic as a base and luminescent pigment particles. New shades are obtained by mixing the existing color scheme.

The paint does not have an unpleasant, pungent odor. It is not toxic. The disadvantages include low moisture resistance, therefore it is better not to use it in the bathroom, swimming pool.

Acrylic enamel, intended for painting the facades of buildings, is very resistant, withstands various temperature conditions. It does not lend itself to fading and is sufficiently resistant to cleaning and disinfecting agents. It is not difficult to wash a house painted with such enamel.

Facade paint is odorless. She has excellent vapor permeability. It fits well on a concrete surface, galvanized metal, which cannot be said about many other types of paints and varnishes.

Spray paint, which belongs to the class of universal coloring agents, has a wide range of uses. They are used for indoor and outdoor work. The process of applying such paint is simplified due to the fact that it is produced in small cans. Aerosol colorant can be applied to many types of surfaces:

• glass;
• plastic;
• wood;
• wall surface.

They are ideal for use in bathrooms, swimming pools, toilets, as they have the highest vapor resistance.

Invisible paint is a very popular type of paintwork... She has a wide range of colors. Ordinary white walls or ceilings during the day magically transform into masterpieces of designers and artists at night, gleaming with different colors. All this thanks to ultraviolet light.

The color palette of fluorescent paint is represented by a small number of colors, including yellow, red, blue, orange, white, purple. Surprising is the fact that the purple hue is the most faded of the entire presented color palette.

The color can change and from the initial colorless to an acidic tone, and when the action of ultraviolet rays passes, the acid again becomes colorless.Also achromatic (colorless) colors turn in a surprising way into yellow, green, orange tone.

All fluorescent paints are divided into chromatic and achromatic. Chromatic give an increase in tone due to the action of ultraviolet rays. For example, red paint becomes even brighter and more saturated, but the tone does not change. Achromatic paints are the transformation of colorless tones into rich... For example, it was colorless, but became bright orange.

Also, fluorescent paints and varnishes have the property of transforming from one shade to another - it was blue, it became green. Invisible or transparent fluorescent ink has no color of its own in daylight... The hue appears at night.

Well-known manufacturers of aerosol canned coloring materials are two brands - Kudo and Bosny. Also in specialized points of sale of this type of product you can find such brands as Noxton, New Ton, Acmelight, Tricolor, Champion and others.

Producing countries that have proven themselves in the market of fluorescent dyes - Poland, Ukraine, Russia.

The scope of application of luminous coloring materials is very large. She came to us from ancient times. Once upon a time, African tribes loved to use it, painting their bodies and faces. Gradually, the unusual coloring material became popular throughout Europe, and then throughout the world.

A separate direction is developed in painting - fluorescent. Its representatives are the talented painters A. Thompson, B. Varnaite.

Today it is difficult to name an environment where paints are not used, because their use is permitted and necessary everywhere.

Areas where glow paint is often used:

• Decoration of walls, ceilings, building facades.
• Decoration of public institutions (nightclubs, restaurants, cafes).
• Fine arts and painting.
• Decoration of furniture and interior items. Restoration of old furniture.
• Body art including manicure and makeup. Face painting. Permanent make-up.

• Decoration of compositions from natural and artificial flowers.
• Painting textiles, including garments.
• Dyeing leather goods, bags, backpacks.
• Painting of facades, fences, wooden arbors.
• Advertising. Application on packaging, labels, stickers, banners.

• Auto tuning and airbrushing.
• Bicycle tuning.
• Use in workwear and road signs.

In addition to all of the above, paint can be seen on dishes, souvenirs, household appliances. The field of forensic science has long used them in its work.

Manufacturers of goods for children use glowing paints to attract the attention of a child's audience. With the help of invisible paint, manufacturers apply security markings to their products, thus protecting themselves from counterfeiting.

Creative people paint pictures, panels. Christmas decorations painted with glowing paints, painted figurines and other figures look great. The film industry and show business also cannot do without fluorescent dyes.

Coloring products, like any other materials, you need to be able to choose the right one. Firstly, you need to understand exactly why they are needed, and secondly, you need to know where they will be applied. If the goal is set, then you can decide on the type, and only then choose the shades.

For more information on fluorescent paint, see the video below.