ive been thinkin about doing this for awhile and was wondering anyone else has tried it. I was in target the other day and saw orange glow in the dark spray paint and thought itd be great for those hard to find items at night such as flash lights camp shoes basically anything you want lemme know what you think
I was thinking about putting some reflective tape on my stuff. Like the kind used on commercial vehicles. They even come in different colors including black so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb during the day.
Registered: 09/23/02
Posts: 294
Loc: The State of Jefferson
For years I've stuck pieces of theatrical glo-tape on things I need to find in the dark. Saves a lot of fumbling around in the dark. It holds a "charge" for 6 to 8 hours. An LED light charges it up in a few seconds, faster than incandescent because of the high UV content.
Registered: 01/10/06
Posts: 679
Loc: Central Texas
Glow paint is a great idea, but don't neglect the most important thing: reflector patches on your tent or tarp. Losing your camp after a midnite call of nature or a twilight trip to the spring can lead to all kinds of problems starting with embarrassment and going up through death. Reflector cloth on the mems of a tarp, reflector lines, etc can help you find your way back.
thats a good idea with the reflective fabric know where i can get it in bulk? and as for the stage tape idea im trying to achieve that same effect, the paint can states that full charge in direct sunlight after 2 mins its the same glow activator used in emergency exit signs so im pretty confident that claim will hold up. ill keep you guys posted and thanks alot for that led idea didnt even consider that.
Alex I think what you mean is highly reflective paint, or does it actually glow in complete darkness?
Eric points out that glow tape must be charged and gets dimmer.
"Real" glow paint had radium in it to continuously charge it and isn't readily accepted by the EPA.
My dogs vest has some reflective tape that shines like a spotlight in a light beam. So if you need to find it without a light beam, you need a chemical that absorbs light and slowly re-emits it and as I recall from my childhood it gets dim quickly. Jim
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
They use paint and tape that glows in the dark on ships - and I know it isn't radioactive and it really glows in the dark (nothing is darker than a hold with no lights on - greatest sleep ever if it's quiet).
well theres a lot of peple selling glow paint that charges in day light or UV and "glows all night" or "glows 8 hours". I've never seen the stuff, wonder how it would work on a tent? Or paint a path to the latrine? Maybe I should get some and paint my boots? Skis - hmm this sounds like fun. ebay Jim
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
I work as a bicycle cop and we use material that reflects light but doesn't glow. I have strips of it on my uniform so that cars don't run me over at night. The material is called retro-reflective. You will see it on the traffic vests worn by highway workers and cops. You sometimes see it on firefighters clothing as well. The material on road signs doesn't glow, it is along the lines of the retro-reflective clothing as it only reflects the light that is shined on it.
You can buy this stuff as tape or material to be sewn on clothing etc.
Originally Posted By Jimshaw
Alex I think what you mean is highly reflective paint, or does it actually glow in complete darkness?
Eric points out that glow tape must be charged and gets dimmer.
"Real" glow paint had radium in it to continuously charge it and isn't readily accepted by the EPA.
My dogs vest has some reflective tape that shines like a spotlight in a light beam. So if you need to find it without a light beam, you need a chemical that absorbs light and slowly re-emits it and as I recall from my childhood it gets dim quickly. Jim
I tie strips of disused reflective guyline to the top and corners of my tarps or shelters. Lots easier to find it on the way back from evening walk, visit to neighbours, toilet trip, etc....And to zippers too.
Registered: 01/10/06
Posts: 679
Loc: Central Texas
Alex, Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics (www.owfinc.com)is one source for lightweight reflective fabric. It doesn't take much and long strips are more effective than patches.
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