How to Make Glow-in-the-Dark Paint

Glow-in-the-dark paint adds something special to projects, including Halloween costumes, bedroom murals and homemade T-shirts. Here is how you can mix your own glow-in-the-dark paint to get the right level of luminosity for your projects and crafts.

Instructions

1. Buy glow-in-the-dark powder and a clear paint medium. Color pigment in the paint medium obscures the powder's luminosity and dims your glow. (See Resources)

2. Paint a white background on the surface where you plan to apply the glow-in-the-dark paint. If you're painting colored clothing, use white fabric paint to outline where you're using the glow-in-the-dark paint.

3. Pour the paint medium into a clean container. Pour only an amount that will be used within an hour because glow-in-the-dark powder settles to the bottom of the paint if it's allowed to sit.

4. Add the glow-in-the-dark powder slowly while mixing the medium. Generally, your mixture should be 10 to 50 percent powder (by volume), but this depends on the powder particle size and the amount of glow desired. The more powder you add, the brighter your paint glows and the less smooth it appears.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a water-based medium to avoid harmful fumes, but make sure your powder is water-based compatible.

• Powder is measured by ounce and paint is measured by fluid ounce. Keep this in mind if you are calculating the percentages of volume in your mixture.

• Add more powder if you're painting on a colored surface.

• Solvent-based paints can be used to mix glow-in-the-dark paint but are flammable and shouldn't be used around children.

Resources

• Order glow-in-the-dark powder