Making glowing paint with your own hands. Glowing paint Making glowing paint

Glowing paint is a great way to decorate a room, but that's not its only purpose. Luminescent pigments glow in the dark and help create a real fairy tale in an ordinary room. IN Lately The scope of application of phosphors is rapidly expanding, and the trend of decorating the home with luminous dyes is not losing ground.

How luminous paint works, where it can be used and how to prepare a similar composition with your own hands at home - there will be an article about this.

How it works

Luminescence is the ability of a substance to accumulate light energy found in ultraviolet radiation and then release it again, that is, to glow. Glowing paint contains certain pigments called phosphors. It is the phosphors that are “saturated” with ultraviolet rays from a natural or artificial light source, and then begin to glow in the dark.

Attention! Fluorescent substances glow only under the influence of special ultraviolet lamps, while luminous paint is clearly visible in complete darkness without additional equipment.

Phosphors made from luminous paint are very stable substances and are difficult to destroy by both physical and chemical means. Therefore, surfaces painted with luminous enamels retain their properties for a long time - they will glow for at least 30 years.

The process of glowing phosphors is a reversible process. These paints only need 15-20 minutes to “recharge” and become saturated with light energy: then the surface will glow for at least eight hours in complete darkness.

Important! The brightness level of luminous paint directly depends on the amount of phosphors in its composition.

Do not confuse luminescent paints with phosphorescent paints, which contain phosphorus, which is considered a substance hazardous to health. Such dyes are suitable only for outdoor use, while luminous enamels based on phosphors can even be used in children's rooms - they are absolutely non-toxic.

Where can you use glow paint?

The second component of luminous enamel (after the phosphor) is varnish. The area of ​​application of the paint depends on the quality and composition of this varnish. As a rule, the varnish is colorless; it can be intended for finishing wood, plastic, drywall, metal, plaster, wallpaper, glass or tiles and other surfaces.

Glowing paints are even used for body painting (body art) and for decorating living plants. Such dyes should contain an acrylic emulsion based on water based.

Thanks to this composition, luminous paint has a very wide range of applications:

• in the production of road signs and indicators, marking on asphalt, marking fences or poles;
• For decorative design interior spaces- decoration of walls, ceilings, drawings on various surfaces in the house;
• for decorating furniture or decorative elements;
• in the theater and circus, luminous paint is used to decorate sets, costumes, and create unique makeup;
• in florist shops, flowers and green plants are decorated with luminous pigments;
• in advertising, luminous enamel is used to illuminate banners, posters, and signs;
• The territory of a private plot can also be improved with the help of luminous paint - it is decorated with gazebos, hedges, facades;
• Motorists also often use phosphors - they tint rims, bumpers, and apply various patterns to the body;
• Glowing enamel is also used in workwear tailoring shops: markings are applied to the uniforms of road workers or emergency workers, for example.

Do not forget that the possibilities of using luminous enamel depend on the varnish included in its composition.

Varieties of luminous dyes

Paints that glow in the dark are divided into two main groups:

1. Translucent, more often called colorless. The basis of such compositions is a transparent varnish. You can apply paint to almost any surface, even with a pattern, because during the day the paint layer remains invisible.
2. Colored dyes consist of a phosphor and a pigment. During daylight hours, surfaces treated with them look as if they were painted in the usual way, and at night they begin to glow.

Depending on the chemical composition luminous paint is different and its performance characteristics. For this reason, luminescent paints and varnishes are divided into the following groups:

1. Paints for plastic surfaces characterized by high adhesion - polyurethane-mineral enamels.
2. Safe and fast-drying water-based acrylic emulsions.
3. Heat-resistant dyes intended for hot glass, ceramics, and metal, the coating of which can withstand heating up to 500 degrees.
4. Waterproof dyes that can be used in bathrooms and even swimming pools, creating a water-repellent film on the surface.

Important! Luminescent paints have a lot of advantages, but there is also a significant drawback - luminous enamels are very expensive.

How to make glowing paint at home

It’s quite possible to make luminous paint at home. To do this, you will have to get the main component - phosphor. You can buy this substance online or in large hardware stores. The cost of a phosphor depends on the intensity of its color: what lighter shade glow, the cheaper the substance.

Attention! On average, to process 8 squares of surface you will need about 100 grams of phosphor.

The second ingredient - varnish - should be selected depending on what surface will be painted. This is the only way the finished dye will adhere securely and last a long time.

So, you need to prepare luminous paint in the following sequence:

• varnish is poured into a glass or ceramic container;
• add phosphor powder based on the proportion of 30% substance to 70% varnish;
• drop a little solvent (no more than 1% of the total mass);
• if you need to prepare a color dye, add a suitable color;
• Stir all ingredients thoroughly.

Paint made according to this recipe can be used in the same way as purchased luminous enamel. The timing and method of storing the composition depend on the qualities of the varnish that was used to prepare the luminous enamel.

Advice! Luminescent paints are convenient to spray with a spray can; you can use a brush or even a roller for application - the choice of application method largely depends on the consistency of the dye and the properties of the varnish included in its composition.

How to make your own phosphor

With some knowledge of chemistry and access to reagents, you can try to prepare a phosphor at home. This can save you a lot of money, but you will have to work hard.

Paints that glow in the dark are divided into two main groups:

Depending on the chemical composition of the luminous paint, its performance characteristics also differ. Based on this criterion, luminescent paints and varnishes are divided into the following groups:

Important! Luminescent paints have a lot of advantages, but there is also a significant drawback - luminous enamels are very expensive.

How to make glowing paint at home

It is quite possible to make luminous paint at home. To do this, you will have to get the main component - phosphor. You can buy this substance online or in large hardware stores. The cost of a phosphor depends on the intensity of its color: the lighter the shade of the glow, the cheaper the substance.

Attention! On average, to process 8 squares of surface you will need about 100 grams of phosphor.

The second ingredient - varnish - should be selected depending on what surface will be painted. This is the only way the finished dye will adhere securely and last a long time.

So, you need to prepare luminous paint in the following sequence:

• varnish is poured into a glass or ceramic container;
• add phosphor powder based on the proportion of 30% substance to 70% varnish;
• drop a little solvent (no more than 1% of the total mass);
• if you need to prepare a color dye, add a suitable color;
• Stir all ingredients thoroughly.

Paint made according to this recipe can be used in the same way as purchased luminous enamel. The timing and method of storing the composition depend on the qualities of the varnish that was used to prepare the luminous enamel.

Advice! Luminescent paints are convenient to spray with a spray can; you can use a brush or even a roller for application - the choice of application method largely depends on the consistency of the dye and the properties of the varnish included in its composition.

How to make your own phosphor

With some knowledge of chemistry and access to reagents, you can try to prepare a phosphor at home. This can save you a lot of money, but you will have to work hard.

For a homemade phosphor you need:

Add extract to water in a ratio of 1:50. Stir well. The solution should be a rich yellow hue.

You need to use a homemade phosphor in the same way as a purchased one: dissolve it in varnish or water emulsion.

Attention! The glow intensity of homemade paint will depend on the amount of pine extract in the phosphor. The proportion of this substance can be changed at your discretion.

The home craftsman must understand that the cost of homemade dye will only pay off if large volumes are produced. In addition, purchased branded paints are clearly of higher quality, they apply smoother, provide a uniform glow, allow you to choose a specific shade, and last longer.

As an experiment, of course, you can prepare luminous paint at home. It is quite suitable for minor repairs, finishing parts or car tuning.

The decoration of the room can be done in different ways, depending on the wishes of the homeowner and style. Almost any style of decoration of an apartment or house can be complemented with elements of luminous paint. This will help you make small night lights or simply decorate your interior effectively.

What is luminous paint, types and principle of operation

Create cozy atmosphere in a room and decorate the interior regardless of the time of day and lighting if you use luminous paint. Decor is often used in children's rooms so that the child is not afraid to sleep in the dark at night without the use of additional nightlights, since this is not always safe.
Using this tool you can apply any drawings to walls, ceilings or furniture. It is convenient to work with the composition, as well as regular paint. But at night such drawings look impressive.
Glowing paint has two types:

1. Luminescent. It glows on its own when the room starts to get dark; it doesn’t require any additional equipment.
2. Fluorescent. Glow just as brightly, but to do this you need to direct ultraviolet rays at it special device, without which it will look like ordinary dye.

Luminescent paint is used more often at home, as it spontaneously creates a bright glow in the room. As soon as the sun begins to set, it becomes brighter and in complete darkness all the drawings are fully visible.
The work of the product lies in the presence of special pigments in its composition - phosphors. They attract and accumulate light energy during the day, and at night they reflect it, creating a bright glow. They accumulate not only energy sunlight, they can be “charged” using artificial lighting, or even moonlight.
Both types can be used, however fluorescent liquid can be hazardous to health due to the release of enzymes when exposed to ultraviolet light, so it is best used outside a building.

Scope of application of luminous paints

Since special coloring pigments make luminous paint, they are added to the composition of other products, which makes it possible to obtain a glow not only from the applied design, but also from other objects and decor.
This tool is used in many areas:

• Internal and exterior decoration– drawings painted on walls or ceilings with dye;
• Painting interior items. Often used for painting windows, doors, picture frames and other small parts;
• Road signs - they always glow in the dark without ultraviolet radiation thanks to the phosphors they contain;
• Advertising signs and banners;
• When decorating clothes, designers often add luminous elements to clothes. It is also used to design special clothing for traffic police and road workers;
• Road markings;
• Decor (sand, stones, frames), gifts (mugs, souvenir flags) and jewelry (pendants, bracelets, beads).

When decorating parts that directly touch the human body, only luminescent paint is used. And for advertising banners and signs, fluorescent can be used, but it is not always convenient to connect ultraviolet equipment to it.
Phosphors are also often used in the cosmetics industry. They can be added to nail polishes or hair dyes to create a neon effect. Nowadays, almost all salons have this feature, which allows you to create an original manicure or haircut.

Are these paints safe for health?

Before you make luminous paint at home, you should consider its safety and scope of application. Since one of the types requires exposure to ultraviolet radiation, it is not always recommended to use products at home.
Fluorescent paint contains phosphorus; if it comes into contact with increased amount which enters the human respiratory tract can cause health problems, making its use in poorly ventilated areas dangerous. In any case, to carry out interior decoration it is better to limit its use.
But the main component of the luminescent dye is phosphors, the main part of which is transparent varnish. Because of this, after applying the solution in the room, it is enough to ventilate it well, after which this finishing option will be absolutely safe for the human body, regardless of its age.
However, keep in mind that allergic reactions to individual components of luminous paint may rarely occur, which may make its use not entirely safe.

Fluorescent paint

Basic possible harm fluorescent paint - enzymes that are released from it when exposed to ultraviolet rays. However, when used spontaneously, separately from ultraviolet radiation, it is also safe for the human body. Thus, phosphorus is released in the smallest quantities possible, which does not pose a danger to the human respiratory tract.
The composition is suitable for painting almost any type of surface. Just keep in mind that if you use a primer layer before applying the dye, it will stick better and look brighter and more impressive.
The drawing stays on the surface for quite a long time. It can be stored for up to five years good quality with a minimum number of microcracks and spalls.

Glowing phosphor paint

Phosphor paint is safer because it does not emit enzymes harmful to the respiratory tract. In addition, it does not require exposure to ultraviolet light, which makes it easier to use.
The phosphor itself contains a transparent varnish as a base, which makes it safe for health. The substance attracts and traps light, reflecting it at night. This allows you to create a glow in the picture.
The glow lasts quite a long time. After two hours of collecting light energy, the pattern drawn by the luminescent dye reflects it throughout the day.

How to make your own phosphor

You can create luminescent paint yourself, which will spontaneously collect and reflect light in the dark. By technical specifications it will be similar to the store-bought version and will retain its glow for just as long.
There are several recipes with which you can make a luminous solution:

• Recipe 1. For this you will need to mix one glass warm water and two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Add two teaspoons to the liquid table vinegar and a little salt. Mix the solution thoroughly, it is better to do this quickly - you can close the container with a tight lid and shake. The resulting luminous liquid can be used to paint decor or apply to walls. If you use double the proportions of additional components (except water), you can increase the concentration and glow.
• Recipe 2. If you have a luminous marker, you can use it. To do this, carefully unscrew it, remove the rod and dissolve its dye in a small amount of water. The resulting water can then be mixed with a regular coloring pigment for finishing. Use as little water as possible to prevent the composition from being compromised after dilution.
• Recipe 3. Take two tablespoons of water and mix them with three grams of pine needle concentrate, dissolving it until smooth. Mix a pinch of boric acid with half the resulting liquid and bring the mixture to a boil. After the solution has cooled completely, add the second half of concentrated water and boil again. The resulting solution will play the role of a phosphor, which can be mixed with regular dye and used as a luminous dye.

Before making glow paint, it is recommended to protect your eyes and hands, as some components may be harmful. It is important to strictly follow safety precautions and proportions, so you will get glowing liquid fast enough.
Regardless of the option used, the resulting phosphor must be mixed with standard interior or exterior finishing. But keep in mind - you don’t need to greatly dilute the dye with the resulting liquid, as its quality can deteriorate, it will become too liquid and will look bad as decoration.

Regardless of whether you made the luminescent paint yourself or bought it ready-made, when using it, it is recommended to consider some tips. They will make it easier to apply the solution, ensuring a positive result.
There are many recommendations for applying the composition, regardless of coating:

1. Protect your eyes and breathing when working with the solution. If it gets into your mouth or eyes, you should immediately rinse the affected area with plenty of water and then consult a doctor.
2. Regardless of the type of composition, it should be used in a well-ventilated area with the windows always open.
3. When using the finished product, before using it, mix thoroughly to combine the phosphor sediment with the main composition.
4. To make the result look more impressive, it is better to apply two layers of the solution. However, after the first layer, give the solution two hours to harden.
5. Prepare the surface before painting. To do this, make sure that it is completely flat and dry; you can additionally coat it on top with a white primer to make the dye adhere more easily.

Conclusion

Glowing paint can effectively diversify a room or become an exterior decoration. However, before using it, pay attention to the choice suitable type and conditions of use of the solution. You can make the composition yourself, which will not degrade the aesthetics of applying the dye.

Useful tips

If you are fascinated by objects that glow in the dark, then you will be interested in learning how you can make different liquids and things shine. Children and teenagers will be especially happy, but you need to follow the instructions carefully to make sure everything works out.

What is fluorescent?

How to make glowing liquid

To begin with, it is worth noting that creating a luminous liquid at home is not an easy process. It is also not very clean, which means you will have to wash the dishes properly after making it.

Obviously, if a liquid glows, it means that certain chemical processes are occurring in it.

But you shouldn’t go too deep into chemistry. To complement this, we can say that some substances, when in an acidic environment, can emit light.

For the one we need chemical reaction, it is worth preparing the necessary reagents.

It is also worth noting that there are several ways to make a luminous liquid.

How to make glowing water

I Method

You will need:

Luminol (can be found in stores specializing in chemicals) - 2-3 g

Hydrogen peroxide 3% (can be found at the pharmacy) - 80 ml

Water - 100 ml

Copper sulfate - 3 g

Caustic soda solution - 10 ml

Fluorescent dyes such as rubrene or brilliant green

Transparent glass container

Luminol is a powder yellow color. If you pour it into acidic and neutral solutions, it will begin to glow blue. This is the main ingredient in this experiment.

1. Pour water into a glass container and dissolve luminol in it.

2. Add hydrogen peroxide to the container.

3. Add copper sulfate(you can replace it with ferric chloride or red blood salt).

* If you don’t have one or three ingredients, you can use improvised means. Squeeze out a little blood from the chicken leg and dilute it in water, then add 1 tbsp. spoon of this solution to the mixture in the container.

4. Add caustic soda.

Now you can turn off the light and admire the blue glow from the container.

* If you want a color other than blue, you can add any fluorescent dye to the solution.

II Method

You will need:

Luminol - 0.15 g

Dry alkali (KOH) - 35 g

Dimexide - 30 ml

Glass container with stopper - 500 ml

Fluorescent dye

1. Mix luminol, alkali and dimexide in a container.

2. Close the container with a lid and shake. You should get a blue glow. You can repaint it using any fluorescent dye.

* If the glow has weakened, open the lid to fill the container with air. After this, the liquid will again emit light.

III Method

You will need:

One tall glass

Solution washing powder- 20 ml

Hydrogen peroxide 3% - 10 ml

Luminol solution 3% - 5 ml

Some potassium permanganate crystals

1. Prepare a solution of washing powder in a glass.

2. Add hydrogen peroxide.

3. Add luminol solution.

4. Grind several crystals of potassium permanganate and add them to the same container.

* If you start stirring the mixture, it will begin to foam and sparkle.

* Since the tap water is chlorinated, the luminol solution will glow under its influence.

How to make glowing liquid (video)

* Glows under UV light

How to make glowing shoelaces

If there are two options for making luminous laces.

It is worth noting that the glowing lanyard consists of a small electronic unit with a built-in LED. The latter is placed in a soft cord, which is made of silicone, and which is capable of transmitting light. The LED gets its energy from a battery.

You choose the color of the glowing laces yourself. Glowing laces operate in 3 modes. They have a switch located on the electronic unit.

* Standard length laces 80cm.

* The laces will glow for approximately 70 hours without recharging. Next, simply replace the battery.

*Remember that luminous laces are just an accessory and therefore should not be used for tight lacing. They are not intended for specialized footwear such as running shoes or football boots (bumps).

Video lesson

How to make glowing paint

The main ingredient of luminous paint made at home is the same phosphor.

You can purchase phosphor, as already mentioned, in special stores or via the Internet. It is a powdery substance that converts energy into glow.

You will need (per 1 kg of paint):

250 gr. phosphor

750 gr. varnish

Just mix all the ingredients.

It is worth noting that such paint will not glow as long as the one sold in stores. And don't forget to recharge sunlight your paint.

Using luminous paint, we can paint a picture in a room or paint any object. You can also put a design on a T-shirt.

How to make a glowing keyboard

You can go the long and complicated route and use a 9V LED cord like this:

But everything can be done much simpler.

Just use glow paint. There is a special spray paint that can be found in auto stores.

This paint stores energy from the sun or artificial lighting for a long time, and glows in the dark.

First, paint the keyboard with this paint, and then stick letters on the keys (you can buy them at any computer showroom or electronics store).

This keyboard will glow a pale green, but you can look for other paint colors.

Do you want to replenish your collection of impressions without leaving your own home? For example, learn how to make glowing water, paint or shoelaces? Then experiment with us.

A liquid that sparkles in the dark always looks fascinating. It seems that such a miracle can only be found in scientific laboratory or in the room of an ancient alchemist. However, we know how to make glowing water at home and with pleasure we will tell you about all the nuances of this amazing process.

Before we start making water that glows, we should learn the safety rules. After all, the main thing chemical, which you will have to work with are luminol crystals. It is they that, when interacting with certain oxidizing agents, produce a glow, which is necessary. When interacting with reagents precautions should be taken.

1. Children conduct similar experiments in the presence of adults.
2. It is necessary to wear protective equipment: rubber gloves, an apron, and in some cases a gauze bandage to protect the face and respiratory organs.
3. When working with chemicals, they should not be inhaled, tasted or allowed to come into contact with the skin.

However, an experiment to obtain a luminous liquid does not always require enormous effort. We will teach you how to make a luminous liquid from available materials, that is virtually no chemicals.

Making sparkling liquid: the easiest way

This method, in which we will create a glowing liquid without luminol, is completely elementary. What does that require:

• water;
• 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, which is contained in every first aid kit;
• table salt, which is present in every home;
• vinegar.

Mix all the ingredients until you get a liquid with a glow.

DIY glowing liquid without luminol

For this method we also need the most common components.

• 500 ml sparkling water;
• 1 teaspoon of soda;
• 3 teaspoons of peroxide.

Mix everything for 10 minutes.

How to make holy water with the addition of luminol?

And this method already requires application chemicals. You can do it liquid that will shine blue tint . To repaint it a different color, use fluorescent dyes.

So, to create the magic liquid we will need:

• 2-3 grams of luminol;
• 80 ml peroxide;
• 100 ml water;
• 3 grams of copper sulfate;
• 10 ml of sodium hydroxide solution;
• fluorescent dyes.

Let's begin an experiment that will give us an incredible glowing liquid.

Step 1. Mix luminol and water in a glass container.

Step 2. Add hydrogen peroxide to this solution.

Step 4. And on last stage- caustic soda

If we couldn’t find all these reagents, let’s do glowing liquid based on washing powder.

1. Prepare 20 ml of washing powder solution in a tall glass.
2. Add 10 ml peroxide.
3. Pour 5 ml of 3% luminol solution.
4. Grind a few crystals of potassium permanganate and add to the container.

Be careful: the liquid tends to foam and produce sparks.

Besides these simple ways, we have a few in store for you interesting videos about how to make water with a glow.

How to make glowing paint: bright magic in the dark

The next step in our incredible experiments is paint that glows in the dark. We will make this miracle using phosphor. This miracle powder, which transforms energy into a bright glow, can be purchased at a specialty store or online.

To get 1 kg of paint that glows, you need to mix 250 grams of phosphor and 750 grams of varnish.

There are other ways to prepare magical glowing paint.

To get purple paint you will need:

• calcium carbonate – 10 g;
• magnesium carbonate – 0.6 g;
• sulfur – 3 g;
• sodium sulfate – 0.5 g;
• potassium sulfate – 0.5 g;
• sucrose – 0.5 g;
• bismuth nitrate (0.5%) – 0.5 ml.

Mix the components and heat at high temperature– 800 degrees for 45 minutes.

If it is difficult for you to get any of the ingredients of this experiment or you cannot remember the name of this or that reagent, we offer you a way so that you can prepare a phosphor and use it to create glowing paint.

1. For this method, you only need to purchase pine extract and powdered boric acid.
2. We dilute the pine concentrate in a small amount of water. You will get a yellowish liquid called tartazine.
3. Now we dilute 1/3 spoon of boron powder in water until a creamy mass is formed.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring and piercing the bubbles.
5. Cool the mass, combine it with tartazine and heat everything up.
6. Boil this mixture, stirring, until a bright yellow powder forms. This is the phosphor.
7. It can be mixed with paint or varnish, or diluted with water.

Such luminous paint, created at home, completely safe for you and your health. It can be used to treat any surface: applied to plastic, wood, and even own body. This paint can be used in a room on the walls to make them glow in the dark or applied to any object, creating unusual compositions. This is a wonderful idea for both indoors and outdoors. Fluorescent paint will give you a festive mood and a lot of impressions.

How to make glowing laces: a fantastic look for stylish shoes

The easiest way to get glowing shoelaces at home is dip your regular shoelaces in glowing paint. You learned how to prepare it above. However, such an accessory will stop glowing after two washes. Therefore, we will tell you about another way to make luminous laces with your own hands.

You will need:

• silicone tube (about 2m), with a diameter that matches the diameter of the laces;
• 4 LEDs of different colors;
• tube of liquid silicone;
• 4 miniature batteries.

Let's move on to the process of making the lace.

1. We divide the tube into 2 equal parts (1 m each).
2. Fill the pipe cavity with liquid silicone.
   
3. At each end of the pipe we attach one LED using a soldering iron.
4. Don't forget about correct location LED: the light bulb is inside and the wires are outside.
   
5. We secure the batteries by soldering them to the wires or fixing them between the wires with glue.
   
6. Take tweezers and carefully fix the battery between the wires. If you want the laces to glow only in the evening, make a small switch that will block the contact.
   

If you don’t want to waste time on all these manipulations, order yourself glowing ones from Aliexpress or any other service. We wish you bright impressions!