Everyone has some plastic at home; they want to glow in the dark. Maybe to spot them quickly or just to make them look attractive. But the question is, how?
Well, a glow in the dark paint for plastic can help. These paints are specially designed to adhere well to plastic and make it glow bright for hours. These paints have glow pigments inside that charge themselves in light and glow when the lights turn off.
Once applied, you can charge it millions of times, and it can last years, even decades(its life). However, these paints’ glow lasts anywhere between 3-8 hours, depending on the paint’s quality, application, and charge.
Better quality paints usually have a much better and brighter glow, but they are equally hard to find. But don’t worry, I got you. After trying tens of paints, I have selected the top 3 that work well on plastic.
Although these paints work on other surfaces, they are perfect for plastic. Now, without further ado, let’s take a quick look at these best paints.
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Table of Contents
3. DecoArt DS50 Glow in the dark paint for plastic –
If you have a lot of plastic to paint on, this is a great option. You get 4oz(118ml) paint in this giant bottle, which is 4-8 times more than the average paint we get in the same price range.
But when you get an offer like this, you know something is wrong. Or should I say something is sacrificed? And you are right. Here quality is sacrificed.
By quality, I don’t mean it’s harmful or anything like that. It’s non-toxic and completely safe to use. But it glows, and the glow duration is far lesser than the smaller paints we get in the same price range.
Its glow can last an hour at max, depending on the thickness and charge. Like any other glow in the dark paint, I recommend applying it thickly. Since it doesn’t really glow that much, I recommend having at least five layers to get the best result. Remember, shake the bottle well before use.
Now, the charge depends on the source and duration. If you charge it using a strong source like Blacklight or LED light, it can glow for up to an hour. That’s the max I have ever observed it glow brightly. It may glow after that, but that’s almost unnoticeable, so I don’t count that time.
Even though it’s humongous in front of smaller paints like Aurora, its glow isn’t even half when compared side by side. Should I buy it? If you are serious about a bright glow for the whole night, then NO, but if you want to paint a lot of plastic and have some glow, then it’s perfect.
It’s the right option if you are getting it for the kids, as it can be washed off in the water, unlike the other two on the list. When your kids are done with the fun, you can easily clean it off their skin(if there is some), but that’s not the case with other paints.
Apart from the plastic, you can use it on a couple of other materials like fabric, wood, plastic, paper, styrofoam, etc. When you have some left, you know where to apply it next. I love this paint because it can be mixed with acrylic paints to have different colors.
Since it dries clear, it isn’t noticeable in the daylight, but if you want to see it, mix it with acrylic paint in a 1:1 ratio, and BOOM, you have it colored. It’s really cool and unique. It’s something I haven’t found in any other glow in the dark paint.
Users really love that it’s a lot of paint, applied smoothly, and glows fairly good, but hate that the glow isn’t that bright and the glow doesn’t last long.
Pros
- Humongous paint, around 4-8 times more than usual
- Dries clear and can be mixed with acrylic paints
- Non-toxic and complete safe
- It can be cleaned with water.
Cons
- Glow isn’t bright
- Glow doesn’t last long
- Non-toxic
- Can be used on fabric, wood, plastic, paper, styrofoam, candles, walls, pumpkins and ceramic bisque
- May be used alone or mixed 1:1 with light, transparent acrylic paints
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2. Premium Artist’s Acrylic Glow in the dark paint for plastic –
If you want a value-for-money glowing paint for plastic, then nothing, I repeat, nothing can beat this paint from Art ’N Glow. Of all the glow paints I have ever used, this one is the second most impressive one, next to Aurora. It has the right combination of quality, quantity, and glow at a meager price.
It’s made using premium acrylic paint and strontium aluminate glow powder, making it durable and glowing. Mixing both the materials gave it the best of both. Like acrylic, you can use it on surfaces like plastic, and like glow powder, it charges itself and glows in the dark.
It’s not limited to plastic, you can use it on fabric, metal, glass, wood, concrete, etc. It will work like a charm.
Unlike other glow paints, it offers 1 oz(30 ml) paint, enough for your crafts. Before you begin painting, stir it thoroughly to mix the glowing pigments. To your surprise, the paint is clear, i.e., colorless. The color you see above is only seen in the dark. So, even though it’s neutral during the day, it’s vivid in the dark.
When applied, it dries clear and isn’t really noticeable in the daylight. So, it embellishes the painting on the plastic and makes it fluoresces in the dark. Initially, it dries clear, but as you apply more coats, it becomes more translucent like a whiteish cream, making it slightly visible.
The thing I love is its glow. Unlike the previous paint, it glows brightly for a long, but that depends on the coats and charge. By coats, I mean layers. Like every other glow-in-the-dark paint, you have to apply it thickly to see the best effect. Personally, I recommend having 4-5 coats, but you can have more.
After thickness, the only thing that matters is its food, i.e., the charge. The better you charge it, the brighter and longer it will glow. A charge from a powerful light source like Blacklight can make it glow for up to 6 hours, whereas weaker sources can’t even yield an hour of glow.
Pro tip – Paint your plastic with white color and apply this paint over it for a better glow.
I use this blacklight torch personally, and I am happy with the results. Remember not to use it on the body. Since it’s non-toxic and non-radioactive, it doesn’t harm the skin, but it’s hard to remove it once dried.
I really loved it and you will too. But if you don’t, use the 30 days money-back guarantee and claim a refund. Easy as that.
Pros
- Durable and easy to apply
- It glows brightly for hours
- It can be used on other surfaces as well.
- Completely safe to use
Cons
- The glow isn’t as bright and long as Aurora
- Glow in the dark acrylic paint from Art ‘N Glow, the premier glow in the dark supplier for fine arts, crafts, and DIY projects. DO NOT let this paint freeze. It will stay solid and be ruined
- Each order includes one fluid ounce of glow paint made from premium acrylic paint and strontium aluminate glow powder, the brightest, longest lasting glow in the dark technology available anywhere
- Our neutral glow paints dry clear for at least the first few coats so they are great for embellishing traditional paintings. Please check out the pictures for examples of what is possible with our...
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1. Aurora Bright Green Glow in the dark paint –
When it comes to the brightest and longest glowing paint for plastic, the only name I trust is Aurora. Even though it’s only 0.68 oz(20ml), I still love it and will recommend it. Why?
It’s one of its kind that glows brightly for up to 8+ hours with just 10 seconds of charge, no kidding! Oh, and just for your knowledge, it’s also available in 1.7 oz(50ml), so if you need more paint, here you go.
This paint is made using top-grade europium-doped aluminate oxide pigments that help it change quickly and fluoresce for hours. The reason for its better glow is quality and more pigments. Due to its top-quality, this paint is very thick, just like a toothpaste that lets it adhere well to plastic.
Apart from plastic, it even adheres well to wood, glass, fabric, metal, plastic, etc. Even though it’s thicker than others, it has zero graininess, making it smooth. Smooth to feel and smooth to see. All you see is a smooth layer of paint even when viewed closely.
Now, this thick paint may not be perfect for painting, but don’t worry; you can thin it using an acrylic thinner or a few drops of water. I recommend stirring it well before you begin using it well, as the glowing pigments may have settled down. So, stirring, mix them with the paint and ensures a better glow.
As I said earlier, this paint glows really well, but you need multiple coats and a better charge to get the result. Like every glow in the dark paint, you need to apply it thickly. Personally, I would recommend having 4-5 layers for the best result.
Pro-Tip – It fluoresces better on lighter surfaces, so if possible, paint the plastic white before applying this paint.
For charging, I will recommend this Blacklight torch. It fastens the process and is convenient and reliable. With every bottle of Aurora, you get Lifetime Access To The Exclusive VIP Stencils Membership, where you can sharpen your skills.
Pros
- It glows brightly for hours
- Durable and high-quality
- Adheres well to plastic
- Good for multiple surfaces
- Lifetime Access To The Exclusive VIP Stencils
Cons
- Nothing
- Very Strong/Vivid Bright Green Fluorescence (off white/cream color in daylight)
- Glows ALL NIGHT after a 10 second light charge (UV flashlight is best!)
- Included: Lifetime Access To The Exclusive VIP Stencils Membership - Easily Create Professional Looking Wall Art!
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Tips for Glow In The Dark Paint For Plastic
1. Glow paints adhere well to the plastic only when thick, so don’t over dilute it; otherwise, it won’t work well
2. These paints fluoresce for a long but need a powerful light source like Blacklight to charge.
3. Wait for the first layer to dry before applying the next one.
4. Apply it thick, and have at least 4-5 coats for the best effect.
5. These paints can be washed when wet, but they are super hard to remove once dry. So, if spilled, wash it soon.
6. Don’t mix them with other colors if the company doesn’t recommend them. Doing so will lessen the glow.
FAQ –
Why isn’t my glow in the dark paint glowing on plastic?
There can be many reasons why it’s not glowing. Maybe you haven’t stirred it well before using it. Or you haven’t applied it thick, or you may haven’t charged it well.
All these things are the major reason for not getting a good glow. So, either apply the thickly(4-5 coats) or charge it well with a source like Blacklight, and it will work.
How do you make plastic glow in the dark?
To make a plastic glow in the dark, you have to apply a glow in the dark paint to it. These paints absorb the light and later emit it slowly, which produces the glow effect. Using better quality paint and having a reasonable charge is the key to a brighter glow.
How long will glow in the dark paint last on plastic?
Once applied, this paint can last for years without losing its radiance as it can be charged millions of times. Depending on the paint’s quality and thickness, you can expect this paint to glow for 3-8 hours with every charge. Having a clear coat on top ensures longevity.
Conclusion –
Now, I think you are ready to make your plastic glow like an orb. In this article, I talked about the best glow in the dark paint for plastic that you can get right now. These paints are easy to apply, adhere well, glow bright, and last for years. If you like this article, share it with your friends and family.
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