Whether it’s your school project, party, or festival, a Glow in the Dark Paint can make it magically beautiful. It makes the dark even more attractive.
You can paint your toys, walls, keys, or other things to make them glow in the dark. Glow in the dark paint has been there for around a century now, but it’s only been about 40 years since they are widely used.
Today, they are used for school projects, personal crafts, festivals(like Halloween), photoshoots, parties, outings, etc. Also, you can become a little creative.
Like, people paint their watch faces or compasses to read them at night easily. Today, most of these paints dry clear or semi-translucent during the day while glows brightly in the dark. Also, we can choose a different type of paint for different needs.
Now, the main question arises – Which is the best Glow in the Dark Paint?
Well, my answer would be, it depends. It totally depends on your needs. I may recommend a different paint for ceil paint, and different for parties or clubs. But with literally hundreds of paints in the market proclaiming to be the best, it’s practically tough to find the right one.
That’s why I created this list of top 1 glow in the dark paint that will help you find the best one for your needs. I have written it in descending, so it’s from 11 to 1.
Let’s have a quick view of the top 5 glow paints –
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Table of Contents
11. Neon Glow Blacklight Body Paint –
This glow body paint is perfect for parties. These are safe(ASTMD-4236 certified), colors are bright, easy to put on/off, and don’t leave any stains behind. What else do you need?
You get six vivid colors with each bottle containing 2 oz. (approx 60 ml) of paint. Even kids can use it without issue. Plus, this much paint is enough for many parties to come. It’s effortless to apply, dries quickly, is safe, and quickly washes off with water, so no worry.
Also, it works great on fabric and doesn’t leave any stains behind. Now, only if it doesn’t smell like fish bait and works excellent in the pool could I have ranked it among the tops. But it doesn’t.
If things go wrong, you have a 90-days-hassle-free money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Six paints mean more color.
- Really vivid colors
- Safe and non-toxic
- Plenty of paint for use
- 90-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Need a Blacklight or UV light to shine
- Smells like fish-baits
- It doesn’t work great in a pool
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10. Astro Glow Non-Toxic Glow in the Dark Paint –
Astro Glow is good paint, but its quantity ultimately brought it down. This bottle contains 0.54 fl oz, which is too little for anything. Plus, you need to apply multiple coats, and this bottle isn’t enough.
It leaves a greenish hue when dry, which glows brightly after charge. It can glow for 8 hours with proper charge wherein the first 15 minutes will be good, and then it will slowly fade.
This paint adheres well to plastic, wood, metal, fabric, fishing lures, and more but isn’t good for the skin. Also, it works in the water as well. For longevity, you can add a clear top coat over the paint.
Best Part? It’s non-toxic, so it won’t affect your skin or cause any health issues. If it doesn’t work as expected, you have a 100% money-back guarantee.
Pros
- It glows well but needs several coats.
- Works well in the water
- It can be used on various things.
- Non-toxic, so it doesn’t have bad effects.
- A small charge can glow it for several hours.
Cons
- Quantity is less
- It doesn’t dry clear; it has a greenish hue.
- It isn’t great for the skin and can take a while to clean
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9. Neon Fluorescent Glow Blacklight Face & Body Paint –
This is a value-for-money paint as, along with the paints, you also get six paint brushes(of various sizes) and a palette. All the bottles have one fl oz paint, unlike the standard 0.75 oz, which includes all the rainbow colors.
These paints shine bright in the UV Blacklight, so it fits best for parties, clubs, festivals, photoshoots, etc. Once applied, it dries off pretty quickly and shines for a couple of hours.
Also, they don’t get off by sweat; however, soap can quickly clean it. These non-toxic paints won’t cause any health issues. For maximum glow, I recommend having at least two coats.
Pros
- It glows great in UV Blacklight
- Extra paint, paintbrushes, and a palette
- It dries quickly and doesn’t smell.
- Non-toxic and safe
Cons
- Not anything special
8. Ultra Green V10 Glow In The Dark Paint –
From the picture itself, you must have noticed how bright it glows. It’s very thick paint, more like toothpaste, which helps it adhere easily to wood, metal, star ceilings, starscapes, and other space murals.
It’s made from Highest Grade Strontium Aluminate Pigments that help it shine bright while also making it tackle extreme weather. It works in water as well, but I’ll recommend using Acrylic Spray Paint on top for better results.
Once dry, it looks semi-translucent white in the light while glows neon in the dark. One proper charge can make it glow for up to 12 hours.
Personally, I have painted the gun sights and Jacuzzi steps, and still, after three months, they are glowing as bright as ever. The Jacuzzi steps have survived various rainstorms, hail, etc., but are still glowing brightly.
Pros
- Durable and glows brightly
- It can be charged with any strong light.
- Works well in the water
- Have some natural weatherproofing
- Made from highest grade strontium Aluminate Pigments
Cons
- Not great for detail work
- It is thick, but you can dilute it
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7. Tulip’s 6-Pack Glow in the Dark Paint –
This paint from TULIP is great for high-detail crafts and projects. You get six bottles, each containing 1.25 fl oz. paint, which is enough for most crafts.
It works best on porous materials like wood, leather, paper, etc. Just ensure that the surface is clean and dry; otherwise, it may not look clean. Once applied, they take around 4 hours to dry.
They dry in their own color except for White(Natural), which dries clear or semi-translucent depending on the thickness. With around 10 minutes of charge, it can glow for an hour.
These paints are non-toxic, which makes them kid-friendly. Remember, If you don’t use it all in one go, the paint will go lumpy in the bottle/tube or set hard if left for a couple of months.
Pros
- More bottles mean more color.
- Great for high-detail craft
- It can be used on anything porous.
- Non-toxic
Cons
- Dries slow and glow less
- It can go lumpy or hard if not used in one go
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6. Midnight Glo UV Body and Face Paint –
Yet another body paint for your parties, festivals, and stuff. But here, you get seven bottles having 0.75 fl oz paint each. They apply easily, dry quickly, shine brightly, and wash off easily without scrubbing.
The paints have a consistency similar to the tempera paint, so they are pretty smooth. Even though they are water washable, they tend to withstand sweat. Just don’t use these on clothes or paper as they can stain them.
These paints are available in various sizes and packs; you can choose between 0.75 FL oz and 2 FL oz and a pack of 6,7, or 8.
Pros
- It glows really bright and is wash-off easily.
- Dries quickly within minutes
- Withstands sweat and doesn’t smudge
- Plenty of sizes to choose from
Cons
- It smells like a fish
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5. Black Light Paints by Neon Nights
Handcrafted in Germany, these premium paints are thoroughly tested to ensure the best quality and standards. They are easy to use, dry quickly, and shine bright.
Out of the box, you get eight radiant neon colors of the rainbow colors. Each bottle contains 0.7 fl oz(20 ml) of paint, which is enough for a couple of following parties.
These glow bright with a blacklight or UV tube but not that vivid with a UV LED. They are so bright that you can even see a subtle neon glow in daylight.
It’s perfect for surfaces like metal and wood but shouldn’t be used on the body. If the bottles were a little bigger, these were in a much better place.
Pros
- It glows really bright in blacklight or UV tube.
- Great for parties
- All the rainbow colors
- Premium Handcrafted paints
Cons
- It doesn’t glow in UV LED or normal light
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4. UV Glow Blacklight Face & Body Paint –
Due to its tube-like design, it’s effortless to apply and store. You get six paint tubes, with each containing 0.34 fl oz paint. Even though the quantity is less, these paints go a long way.
While all paints fluoresce well, some glow better than others. Like, Yellow glows the best while blue is less vivid. Ensure you have at least 2-to to three layers for the best results.
It dries very quickly and is easy to wash even from the floor. Mere water can do the trick.
Users really love that it’s easy to apply, dries quickly, and cleans way better, but I hate that the tubes were tiny.
Pros
- Easy to use and wash
- Glow brightly in UV blacklight
- Dries quickly
- Six vivid colors out of the box
Cons
- Tube is tiny
- Only glows in UV Blacklight
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3. Aurora Bright Green Glow in the Dark Paint –
This is the only “glow” paint that fluoresces bright for hours with a small charge. Just 10 seconds in blacklight can make it glow all night. If you charge more, it can glow brightly for a long.
It uses top-grade europium-doped aluminate oxide pigments in durable & ultra-adhesive acrylic solution that makes it durable. I recommend applying it 2-4mm thick, i.e., 4-5 coats for the best glow.
The paint is slightly textured and has a slight greenish tint to it. You can apply it on surfaces like paint, wood, glass, metal, etc. Once applied, it dries in a few minutes.
It is non-toxic and non-flammable, so it won’t cause any issues. With this bottle, you get Lifetime Access to the exclusive SpaceBeams VIP Stencils Membership!
Pros
- Non-toxic and non-inflammable
- It glows very bright thanks to its solution.
- Two sizes and colors
- It’s thick so that fewer coats can give more glow.
- Dries quickly and wash-off without any problem
- You get exclusive SpaceBeams VIP Stencils Membership.
Cons
- Nothing really
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2. Premium Phosphorescent 8X Glowing Neon Paint-
This is a Phosphorescent paint, so it glows in UV blacklight and dark. You can use them anywhere from parties to ceiling stars and anything in-between.
It’s a set of 8 colors that are all rainbow colors. Each bottle has around 0.7 fl oz(20 ml). These are handcrafted in Germany and are prior tested for quality and standards.
These paints are pretty hard to charge by normal sunlight or lamp; you need a UV light. I recommend charging it for a couple of hours before using it.
Since this is a non-toxic paint, it doesn’t harm the skin. White glows the best among all the colors, while Yellow is the worst.
Pros
- Can glow bright with or without charge
- Plenty of colors to choose from
- Good for a party of other projects
- Handcrafted paints with good standard and quality
Cons
- Only charges with UV light
- It takes some time to charge
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1. Neon Nights 8X UV Bodypaint –
Going to a party, festival, photoshoot, etc., soon? This body paint is perfect. Handcrafted in Germany, these paints are made using premium materials to give you the best quality.
They are easy to apply, dry quickly, glow infinitely, and wash off without any problem. You get all the rainbow colors out of the box, with each bottle containing 0.7 fl oz (20 ml) of paint.
Since these are non-toxic, even kids can use them. It’s easy to apply and wash off. Getting them off the fabric or skin is a breeze.
Users really love that it’s easy to apply, glows bright, and washes off quickly, but I hate that it’s pretty watery and dries slowly. So, I suggest using it a couple of hours before attending the event.
Pros
- Shines real bright
- All the rainbow colors included
- Good for anyone and can be applied any way
- Easy to apply and wash
Cons
- Little watery, so dry slowly
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How Does Glow in the Dark Paint Work?
The Glow in the dark Paint has tiny phosphors crystals or pigments that get excited and charged in the UV light.
When exposed to light, these crystals act like tiny batteries and charge themselves. Once charged, these crystals fluoresce, which seems like a bright glow when combined.
Some paints like Aurora glow for at least 3-4 times more than they take for the charge. These crystals tend to lose their charge slowly, thus giving a prolonged effect.
How to choose the right Glow in the Dark Paint?
Now, choosing the right glow in the dark paint is easy when you have the right knowledge. How will you choose the correct one with plenty of these paints flooding the market?
And that’s why we have to look at certain factors to get the right one. Many factors are to look at, but most of them sum up under 4-5 categories.
Below I have explained all of them.
1. Size –
The size of the bottle is the foremost thing to observe. Depending on your needs, you can choose a different bottle size. There are a couple of bottle sizes, with 0.75(20 ml) being the average.
So that you know, 1 FL ounce is enough to paint 1-2 square feet of the surface. Even with 0.75 FL oz, you can paint a couple of things. I think it’s enough for those surfaces, crafts, and ceiling stars, but the more, the better.
If you are heading for a party, club, festival, etc., 0.75 is good enough, but getting the 1 or 2 oz is a smart option if you have some friends.
2. Color –
I have said it earlier and will repeat that not every color glows the same. Even though they all have shining pigments, they do fluoresce differently. That’s because of the nature of the color.
Just like red and neon colors glow the brightest, here, too, we have some colors that glow well while others may be hardly visible. Personally, I have noticed neon, orange, and white(or natural, as some say) to be the brightest.
Even red and yellow seem a great option, whereas purple, dark blue, etc., may not be as efficient. Now, it doesn’t mean that you should avoid these dark colors.
Applying them gives a great outline and 3D-like effects to your glow, so using them is good.
3. Materials –
These glow in the dark paints differ according to materials. So, basically, there are two material types, acrylic-based and water-based. Both are intended for a purpose but can be interchanged for other purposes.
Acrylic-based is of superior quality. These paints are usually very thick(like toothpaste) and easily hold on most surfaces but are very hard to remove once dry.
Water-based are usually thinner, making them great for most crafts, including projects, parties, etc. They also glow very brightly, but they remove easily with water, unlike acrylic.
Acrylic paints usually have some smell, whereas water-based don’t have much odor. Depending on your projects, you can choose the material. If you want a permanent-type paint, select acrylic, but choose water-based for a temporary type.
4. Charge –
By charge, I mean how fast they are charged before glowing brightly. Unlike glow-in-the-dark stars, you have to charge these paints to see them fluoresce.
A paint with less charge time and more glow time is the best one.
FAQs –
How to Remove a Glow in Dark Paint?
Just like normal wall paint, when a glow in the dark paint loses its shine or is peeled off, you may want to remove them and apply a new one. While using the paint, you either had a mural or painted a complete wall.
It can be difficult to remove if you have painted the whole wall or if you have a mural. You can use fine-grit sandpaper to remove as much paint as before adding a new layer.
How to properly charge a Glow in Dark Paint?
The way you charge your paint determines how bright it glows. Charging it the right way can give hours of glow, while a wrong one may fade within an hour or a few minutes.
Now, direct sunlight and UV lights(like blacklight) are among the best chargers. They have the purest UV that gets easily absorbed by the pigments.
Remember, the source isn’t a problem; it’s in the power of the source. If the power is less, then it will take a lot more time to charge. You must keep your paint in the light and let them charge properly before you use them.
Can I use Glow in the Dark Paint outdoors?
Yes, you can use them outdoors, but it varies from paint to paint. Some paints like Ultra Green V10 and Aurora are good enough to be used outdoors.
Personally, I feel Ultra Green V10 is the best option for outdoor. You don’t need to apply anything to get it weatherproof.
However, I would recommend using Acrylic Spray Paint for better weatherproofing. But if you are using something for weatherproofing, then use Aurora as it’s the brightest of all.
Is Fluorescent Paint Different from Glow in Dark Paint?
Yes, and No! Fluorescent paints and glow in the dark paint(a.k.a. Phosphorescent paint) have the same motive, i.e., to glow in the dark. But the way they glow is different from each other.
Fluorescent paints only glow in UV lights(like Blacklights), so they are the best for parties, festivals, clubs, and everywhere with these lights. Mostly Fluorescent paints are Face & Body paints, so they can be easily used or removed from the skin.
Whereas Glow in the dark paint is best for surfaces, crafts, projects, etc. They are a big “No” for the skin, as they are tough to wash.
Glow in the dark paint charge itself in the light and later emit them slowly, unlike Fluorescent paint, which only glows when in these lights.
Conclusion –
So, finally, we are in the end. Just for the recap, in the article, I talked about the best glow in the dark paints that will make the dark even more fun. I have personally tested and reviewed every painting, which took me a lot of time. So, I would really appreciate it if you took a minute and share it with your friends and family.
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