Reflective Paint
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Reflective Paint For Crafts And Projects
Back about ten years ago, I had a very small project that I wanted to do, and it required reflective paint. My search for this type of paint was highly frustrating, though. Even the Internet couldn't help me because it turned out that there just wasn't any reflective paint around that would suit my needs.
I had envisioned reflective paint in a spray can, but the closest I could have come, at that time, would have been to buy huge bags of glass beads and huge buckets of paint from the companies that service the Department of Transportation — yellow or white paint only. Five gallons of paint (and not the clear paint that I needed) and those 10-20-pound bags of glass beads (beads which were too big anyway) just would not do. So, I just forgot about it for a while.
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Photo credit: © andre.tomasi
Reflective Paint Now Available
In a spray can!
About five years ago, I found a great product that has served me well (yes, more internet searches, including a map site to get to the hardware store that services the building industry — this is definitely an industrial product, and you do need to use it outside or in a well-ventilated area). This reflective-spray product is just like what I had been looking for. And its tiny glass spheres provide just the reflection quality I want.
Without further ado, let me introduce you to my favorite reflective paint spray.
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Photo credit: GrowWear
Krylon Industrial Reflect-A-Lite Reflective Spray Paint
The one I bought with a glass sphere tint base
Think about house numbers painted on the mailbox. Say, for instance, that you've painted your mailbox numbers a nice summer green. Well, you don't want the reflective paint to cover up that pretty color during the day! Make it reflective without hiding the original color by using Krylon Industrial Reflect-A-Lite Reflective Spray Paint. Your numbers will still look pretty in the daytime, but will be reflective at night from direct light sources. Update: Reflect-A-Light no longer available through Amazon. See note below the following product link:
Rust-Oleum 214944 Reflective 10-Ounce Spray, Reflective
Amazon Price: $5.91 (as of 02/16/2012)
Amazon used to re-direct to a Krylon industrial site, but does not do so now. You may have to purchase it like I did, at a physical store for contractors. In the meantime, Rustoleum, as listed and pictured here, can be a good alternative to the reflective paint I use.
If you still have your heart set on the Krylon brand, locate a store in your area here.
My Reflective Paint Project
Guide folks in to your Super Bowl Party
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 02/16/2012)
How To Do This Project
- Buy two sports-themed garden flags with poles
- Wrap poles with aluminum foil
- Hang flags (right over the foil)
- Stake the flags on either side of the driveway where you want them to stay
- Use cardboard or newspaper to catch stray paint spray (you don't want to make the grass reflective, too)
- Spray three to four thin coats, allowing the flags to dry between coats (You may want to test after one coat; depending on how heavy your spray finger is, you just may find that once is enough)
- Once dry, pull the aluminum foil away from the flag poles
Your flags are now ready to serve as beacons for your Super Bowl Party guests.
Results Almost As Good As...
...A real Panther's sign!
This shot was taken in the dead of night while traveling
west down the Tamiami Trail in Florida. It was a nice
treat for my Carolina-Panthers-fan grandson.
Uses For Reflective Paint
Here are my ideas
Certainly my party project using reflective paint isn't the only way to get creative with it; however, at the moment the ideas coming to me are rather practical. Perhaps you can think of some project ideas to add that are more fun. I'll add more of my ideas when they come to me. Here's what I've thought of so far:
- Bicycles, tricycles, baby strollers and other wheeled items
- House numbers
- Step edges going into attics and basements
- The outside edges of the driveway
Can you think of some fun ideas? Add them below.
Kid's shirts
kids love for their shirts to glow in the dark so I think they would enjoy this1 point
Halloween Decorations and Costumes
I can see this as spooky images on boards or shirt backs ... woooooooo1 point
Bike riders
Have qactually seen reflective paint used on bike riders gear and clothes.1 point
Garden Pathways
This would be good for a lot of things that could be seen as hazardous in the garden like rocks but is a great way to light up your pathway1 point
Reflective Paint © 2008 - 2012 GrowWear (MiMi). All Rights Reserved.
Thank you for stopping by and spending time with me. I hope you enjoyed your visit. —MiMi
Are You Crafty?
What's a particular project you're proud of?
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collettehrock
Feb 2, 2012 @ 11:00 am | delete
- What a great idea
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YayasHome
Oct 29, 2011 @ 8:46 pm | delete
- Our son wanted some paint for a project, one time, so my good hubby-buddy (thinking it was needed for painting model cars) bought a can of purple reflective paint. Only later did we discover that our son painting a H-U-G-E mural on his bedroom ceiling. To be sure, it was an amazing mural. Still, we were a bit shocked when we first saw it. LOL
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sousababy
Oct 26, 2011 @ 10:59 pm | delete
- Ahh, not the craftiest . . but I'm trying, I'm trying. Reflective paint is great for making things safer not only for kids, but for those with poor eyesight. I have heard of it used on railings and along the edges of driveways and walkways to help the visually impaired navigate where they are going. Thanks for sharing.
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James Glomski
Sep 13, 2011 @ 9:55 am | delete
- One type/use for reflective paint is to block heat. My friend recently had the underside of his deck painted with a reflective paint. I've been looking into it.
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John Miller
Sep 13, 2011 @ 11:09 am | delete
- In addition to reflective paints there are other similar products that are used to reflect heat in the same way. In fact, many of the foil products are much more effective than reflective radiant barrier paint.
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karmicchristian
Sep 12, 2011 @ 12:42 pm | delete
- Wonderfully creative! Crafty!? - The Brits might have a different interpretation to the word I guess! :)
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GrowWear
Sep 12, 2011 @ 12:57 pm | delete
- Yep. USA crafty, not the British crafty, which I'm assuming is some naughty slang-type crafty. :D
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Mujjen
Sep 6, 2011 @ 7:44 am | delete
- This is really cool. Especially in the winter when it gets really dark outside.
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GrowWear
Sep 6, 2011 @ 5:38 pm | delete
- Yep, and would light up from any light source, say from folks in their cars looking for a certain mailbox at the end of a certain driveway. Some reflection on that would help them out quite a bit.
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sidther
Aug 14, 2011 @ 8:22 am | delete
- Oh I love this! I have been looking at reflective stickers for my son's car (the electric toy ride in ones that go about 5 mph) but I would much prefer to paint the whole darn thing! Of course now I am thinking of all the other stuff I could paint with this as well! This is just awesome!
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by GrowWear
Where to find reflective spray paint and some reflective paint ideas. Enjoy!
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Reflective Glow Paint
Reflective Crafts
Rust-Oleum 214945 Glow in the Dark 7-Ounce, Glow In The Dark
Amazon Price: $6.44 (as of 02/16/2012)
