What paint is UV reflective?

[tritium4ever]

I need a UV reflective paint so that my UV cold cathode can be put to greatest use. My question is, what kind of paint is UV reflective and cheap? Also, are there any kind of paints that are UV reflective while being transparent to visible light? If there's such a thing, then I could use it for a window etch that only shows up when my UV cold cathode is on (that's my plan anyway).

 

[ChefJoe]

Hehe... as a person about to graduate with a BS in Chemistry and working with a group doing photochemistry, I'd say that could get an opaque glow from a solution of mothballs (with naphthalene) and some sort of solvent that won't marr your case (like water or alcohol (vokda or rubbing alcohol may be sufficient)).... naph is great at glowing in regular ol' sunlight, so it probably would work real well as far as an opaque glowing for cheap ($3 or so) with straight UV light.

 

[SinnerWolf]

ChefJoe, thanks! Im going to play around with your idea and see what kind of results i get.

Tritium4ever.. here's some random links i found real quick for ya.

UV Paint Thread <---search more on this forum, as it is THE source for modding info.


And the best site/product ive found for what you're describing....
WildFireFX. They don't resell directly off the site if memory serves, but list dealers nation wide. You can also order from their 800 number i believe. No idea as to prices, but im sure it's not cheap!

 

[Jerboy]

Why do you need a UV reflective paint? I bet you mean UV excited fluorescent paint.

What kind of UV wavelength are you talking about? Different phosphor excites at different UV wavelength.

Basically there are three types of UV:

UVA 400 nm - 320 nm, weakest of all UV, it's present in sunlight and light from mineral analysis light.

UVB 320 nm - 290 nm, very destructive to our skin, present in sunlight, certain medical, forensic and mineral analysis light

UVC UVC 290 nm - 100 nm, it is by far the most powerful UV. This is filtered before it reaches earth, but can be produced artificially. 185nm is used to produce ozone and it's rather rare, but 253.6nm lamp is a common UV germicidial lamp.




For UVC, the most effective phosphor is the powder from a fluorescent lamp. Break one open, scrape it out and apply it to surface.

I don't know about UVB.

UVA excites fluorescent high lighter very well. Get a few high lighter and soak its ink shaft in alcohol for a while and apply to surface.