Glowing in the dark is fun, but it’s even more fun when you have the best glow-in-the-dark paint! It’s always frustrating when your efforts with glow-in-the-dark paint don’t turn out to be what you wanted. This usually means that either your solution is too diluted, or that your paint didn’t have enough activator in it.
Getting the perfect glow-in-the-dark paint requires some trial and error but this guide will give you a head start to choosing the best paint for your projects.
Top 9 Best Glow in the Dark Paints Comparison Table
| Image | Name | Paint Type | Color | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Aurora Bright Green, 0.68 fl oz (20ml) | Acrylic | Bright Green (Aurora) | 4.2 |
 | 2. Neon Nights 8 x UV Body Paint Set | Acrylic | Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink, White | 4.3 |
 | 3. Lightning Bug (37ml) Glow in The Dark | Oil and Acrylic | Green | 4.1 |
 | 4. Art 'N Glow Fluorescent Glow In The Dark Paint | Acrylic | Fluorescent Blue | 3.6 |
 | 5. Luminous 2-in-1 Glow in The Dark | Acrylic | Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet, Pink, White | 3.9 |
 | 6. Artecho Glow in the Dark Paint | Acrylic | Orange, Blue, Yellow, Pink, Green, Purple | 4.4 |
 | 7. Blikable Glow in the Dark Acrylic Paint | Acrylic | Yellow, blue, green, orange, white, light-blue, purplish red, pink, purple | 4 |
 | 8. Glow in the Dark Pigment Powder | Powder | Pink, Yellow, Green, Orange, Blue, Orange Red, Olivine, Rose Red, Blue green, Sky blue, Golden, Bright red | 4.6 |
 | 9. DecorRom 10 Color Glow In The Dark Pigment Powder | Powder | Orange, Red, Kelly, Lemon, Gold, Teal, Blue, Kiwi, Sky Blue, Violet | 4.6 |
What To Consider When Buying Glow in The Dark Paint
You need to consider the following things when selecting the best glow in the dark paint:
| Weatherproof Properties | The paint should work whether it’s wet, hot, cold, or windy. It should also work if it’s underwater. |
| Ease of Application | It’s important that the paint is easy to use and dries quickly as well as being able to be applied onto any surface. |
| Duration of Glow | You need to consider how long the glow-in-the-dark paint lasts before needing to recharge it. It should last for a while. |
| Working Temperature | Different activators work in different temperature ranges. You need to consider whether or not the activator works in your desired range or if you need a specific activator. |
| Color of Glow | Some activators will give off a blue glow and others, like strontium aluminate, will give off a yellow-green glow. You need to consider what color of glow is best for your project. |
| Cost | The paint should be affordable for you. It’s not worth spending a lot of money on glow-in-the-dark paint if it won’t work well or is too diluted. |
| Paint Type | Different types of paint work better for different projects. Some paints dry faster and some paints are easier to apply. It’s worth it to consider all of your options before choosing the best glow-in-the-dark paint. |
| Ease of Cleaning | Sometimes you will want to repaint walls or other surfaces. You need to consider how easy it is to clean the surface before painting over it. Some paints, like oil-based paints, take a lot of effort to clean off while water-based paints are easier to clean. |
| Paint Usage | It’s important to consider how much paint you will need for your project. While you want the best paint, it’s not worth having a lot of leftover paint that will need to be thrown out. |
| Paint Durability | You want to glow in the dark paint that will work for your project, but you don’t want it to fall off the surface. It’s important to consider whether the paint will work with your project and not peel or fade away easily. |
How Do You Make the Best Glow In The Dark Paint?
To make the best glow in the dark paint, you need to know about the three components:
- The Base: The base is what will make your solution glow in the dark. The best base to use is a solution that is alcohol or water-based. Alcohol or water can evaporate, if left out, so it’s important to use a more stable solution if you are planning on using your paint for the long term.
- The Activator: The activator is what makes your solution glow in the dark after you shine a light on it. There are a few different types of activators, but the most common is zinc sulfide.
- The Ratio of Activator to Base: Different types of activators need different ratios. It’s important to note that this is by volume not weight.
Top 3 Best Glow in the Dark Paint Reviews
When you want to paint your home, you will need paint that’s durable and looks good. However, when you want to create an artistic project with glow-in-the-dark paint, you will need paint that glows.
The following paints are the best glow in the dark paint available on the market:
1. Aurora Bright Green
Aurora Bright Green paint glows in the dark after being charged with a light source for 10 minutes. The paint also dries quickly so you don’t need to wait a long time for your project. Another great thing about this paint is that it’s non-toxic and water-based. It can be used in wide ranges of temperatures, allowing it to work for many different projects.
The formula is also one of the best glow-in-the-dark paint because it does not include any flammable ingredients that could cause a fire.
The paint works well on most surfaces but is best used with wood or plastic. The paint adheres well to plastic, metal, fabric, and ceramic. It can be removed with vegetable oil or ammonia.
2. Neon Nights 8 x UV Body Paint Set
Neon Nights 8 x UV Body Paint Set is a pack of eight glow-in-the-dark body paints for eight different designs. Some of the included glow-in-the-dark paints are super bright while some are slightly brighter than other brands.
It is made with FDA-approved ingredients and is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, waterproof, and made in the USA.
After you apply it to your outdoor projects, you can use the remaining paint on the brush to paint your skin. This is great for creating a personalized design while using less paint.
The colors in this pack are bright and great for creating a vibrant glowing effect.
The paint glows under ultraviolet light and is made with a clear liquid that does not contain any particles, which makes it safe for body paint. The paints are long-lasting and won’t fade after a few hours.
3. Lightning Bug (37ml) Glow in The Dark
Lightning Bug Glow in The Dark is a paint that’s made with oil and is designed to be used in professional-grade painting projects. It glows under ultraviolet light and can be used to paint several different surfaces. The oil-based paint dries quickly and is very durable.
The starts to glow immediately after being exposed to ultraviolet light and the pigment is not affected by sunlight. It also does not contain any toxic ingredients such as mercury or lead so it is safe for you and your family to use.
The paint is very bright when activated but does not glow for very long after it has been exposed to ultraviolet light, so it is best used with black light or any other type of lighting.
How to Use Best Glow in the Dark Paint?
Make sure your work area is well ventilated and make sure to use a paintbrush. Pour the paint into a dish or jar, dip your brush in, and apply it to the project you are working on.
FAQs
Does Glow in The Dark Paint Work Outside?
It’s important to note that glow-in-the-dark paint needs a source of light to charge it. If you are going to be using your paint outside, make sure that you’ll be able to radiate light on it.
Is Glow in The Dark Paint Permanent?
No, glow-in-the-dark paint is not permanent. If you are planning on using it for a long-term project, it’s best to use glow-in-the-dark paint that is activated by UV light.
What is the Best Glow in The Dark Paint for Walls?
The best glow-in-the-dark paint for walls is a solution that has strontium aluminate as its base. It glows for about 6 hours and is brighter than other solutions. It only works in warm temperatures, though.
How Long Does Glow in The Dark Paint Last Outside?
Glow in the dark paint made from zinc sulfide will last for about 20-30 minutes when left outside. It needs to be charged by a light source, so it will not work if the sun is out. The best glow-in-the-dark paint for outside projects is a product that is activated by UV light.
Can You Clear Coat Over Glow in The Dark Paint?
Yes, you can clear coat over glow-in-the-dark paint. Make sure that it is dry first, though. This will ensure that your clear coat will not get absorbed into the paint.
Why Isn’t My Glow in The Dark Paint Glowing?
If your glow-in-the-dark paint isn’t glowing, it’s possible that not enough light was used to charge it. If you were able to charge it once, though, it should glow just fine. You can also try to recharge your glow-in-the-dark paint by shining light on it.
Is Glow in the Dark Paint Waterproof?
Glow in the dark paint is not waterproof. If it gets wet, it will fade away.
How Can I Make Night Glowing Paint at Home?
You can make night glowing paint at home by using some glow-in-the-dark craft paint. You need to use some petroleum jelly to coat the paintbrush. Then you can paint on your project.
Can Glow in The Dark Paint Be Removed?
Glow in the dark paint is not very removable, but if you want to remove it, you can try a few different methods. If you can scrape it off, that’s your best bet. Otherwise, you may need to sand your surface and paint over it again.
Does Sunlight Charge Glow in The Dark Outside?
Sunlight does not glow in the dark. You can only charge your best glow-in-the-dark paint by shining light on it. The sunlight will not work, though.
How Do You Make Something Glow in The Dark Forever?
It’s not possible to make something glow in the dark forever. This is because as soon as your best night paint stops glowing, it starts decaying. It will fade away over about 20-30 minutes.
Conclusion
The best glow-in-the-dark paint for your needs will depend on what you are using it for. If you are planning on using your best glow-in-the-dark paint outside, make sure to use a product that is activated by UV light.
It’s also best to make sure that your paint is water or alcohol-based, so it will dry quickly and not stain.
