Fluorescent paint vs Luminous paint June 1, 2008
Posted by admin in : Marine Paints, Painting Tips , 5comments
There is a general misunderstanding with the terms fluorescent paint (not to mention the common misspelling of the word) and luminous paint. Most people when asking for or referring to luminous paint actually mean paint that glow in the dark. Fluorescent paint does not glow in the dark. It requires light to glow. Paint that glow in the dark are actually phosphorescent paint. Let me offer my view of the terminology. Luminous paint is a grouping of paint that basically "glow", regardless whether they do it in the light or in the dark or by themselves. Within this group of paint are the fluorescent paint (glow-in-the-light), the phosphorescent paint (glow-in-the-dark), and the radioluminescent paint (radioactive, self-glowing). Fluorescent paints are widely used in industries for purpose of marking. In some countries, these are also known as UV Fluorescent Paint or Blacklight Paint. Under UV or blacklight, the sensitive pigments embedded in the fluorescent paint absorbs the UV light and emits off visible light, thus causing the "glow". This paint is available in 1-litre and 5-litre pack sizes and comes in a handful of colours, the most common of which are yellow, green, orange and red. In my line, I’ve seen practical applications in road-marking, in safety signages, and in marine buoy markings. Fluorescent paint can either be water-based or solvent-based. Phosphorescent paints are also used for markings and signages. However, one increasingly popular application is in novelty items. Toys and wall-coverings coated with the paint or have materials mixed with phosphorescent powder make very eye-catching gift items. Have you come across soft rubber cut-outs of shapes of planets and stars glued on ceilings of children’s room? They glow when the lights are off and give children their first taste of star-gazing. These are materials that contain phosphorescent pigments such as zinc sulfide or strontium. Though these pigments or paints glow in the dark, they actually have to be "charged" with light. The pigments in the paint absorbs the light and when the lights are off, slowly emits light. Phosphorescent paint are not easily available locally. I used to have a few cans in stock but they had rather limited shelf-life. They hardened after about 6 months even though they were not opened. They were promptly discarded. Radioluminescent paints were used in the past on clocks, watches, compass, toys, fish baits, weapon aiming site etc. Due to its radioactivity, its application is presently rather limited. I have not come across radioluminescent paint in Singapore. I’m also not aware if this stuff can be brought in in your usual Fedex packing. Certain certification would probably be required. Of the 3 types of luminous paint, the most common here must be blacklight paint or fluorescent paint. However, the fluorescent product we are most familiar with is not the paint, but the pen - the common highlighter!
