Clear UV Reactant Paint?

[DS Operative]

I put this thread in the modeling forum but didn't get a response there, so I thought I'd give it a shot here in the props section and see if it gets a little more exposure and some answers:


I've searched the interwebs but I haven't found what I'm looking for yet.

I have a Ghostbusters Slimer that I would like to glow & react to black light.

I want to give it a clear coat of something that will make it react to the UV light. So far I've found green, red, blue, etc... the full gamut of colors. But I haven't found anything that is "Clear". Does this exist?

Thanks for any help!

 

[jasonw2112]

Well I can't say for certain, but I don't see how it could work being clear. Paint in itself, has pigment to make a color, along with other additives. I would think it needs the pigment ( which comes in various colors ) for it to collect the light, and glow. However! there is that invisible ink, that reacts to black lights ( for secert messages ). I have no idea how you would apply this though.

 

[Russ257]

I know it isn't paint but many laundry detergants glow under UV light.

 

[Ozymandius]

Smooth On sells a clear UV tint for its resins (Cryptolite, sp) that does exactly what you are describing. It's water clear in normal light, but flouresces under blacklight.

The only question would be what medium to use with it. You could brush on a clear resin or try it with epoxy.

I have used it with their Crystal Clear resins and it does work beautifully. I cast a small skull with the Cryptolite and then imbedded it into a block of normal clear resin. Under normal light it looked like a single clear block, but once you turned the blacklight on, bam the skull appears.

Oz

 

[robn1]

The clear paint does exist, Apogee used it for their "reverse bluescreen" process in "Firefox". The plane models were painted with a clear paint that looked normal in white light, and glowed blue in UV. I wouldn't know where to get it however, or even a maker.

That skull casting sounds cool :thumbsup

 

[Rhett J Martin]

MOst glow in the dark paints will do just want you want it to do. They can be found in most craft stres paint isle. Just be sure to use light coats.

 

[DS Operative]

Ozymandius-- I thought you were on to something and I did some research on their website Cryptolyte® UV Glow Additive for Urethanes and Silicones | Mold Making and Casting Materials Rubber, Plastic, Lifecasting, and More but the product you described only glows blue under UV light. I think Slimer should stay green even when he glows.

I would consider trying one of the glow in the dark paints that Hotshot mentioned, but I don't really want to affect the color of Slimer in normal lighting.

Great suggestions so far, but I haven't found one that really fits what I think I'm looking for. I'm starting to wonder if what I want even really exists. Keep those suggestions coming though! Thanks for all of your great input so far!

 

[jasonw2112]

If you do decide to go the paint route, House of Kolor has ( as far as I know they still make it! ) glow in the dark paint in different shades. Although you would need some additives, and at least an airbrush setup. You could check it out, and see what shades of green they have available.

 

[hobbitbreath]

Clearneon Invisible Black light Paint, blacklight posters, glow in the dark, blacklight fixtures and bulbs, special effects, lighting, uv
Something like this?

 

[Howlrunner]

Try searching on eBay under "UV paint clear" - there are a number of options (sprays and brush-on) that are clear in normal lighting and glow green when lit by UV (in fact they're the same product Hobbitbreath highlighted). They go for $25 a can.

 

[DS Operative]

Great find! Hobbitbreath & Howlrunner, I think you found what might work out best for my situation. Although at $25 a can, it's pretty spendy!!!

 

[Howlrunner]

I don't know if it would be permanent or if it would wear off over time, but a cheaper option might be UV hair spray - it goes on clear and glows green (or any other colour you choose) under UV light. We have it here in the UK for about £1.50 a can.