Thread: Using Blacklights - Highlighter Markers vs. Blacklight Paint

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This year for our party I’m lining the walls of our two car garage with black paper and using a projector to project a scene on the wall, which I will sketch out in pencil. I then planned on going over the entire sketch with blacklight paint but am concerned about the expense involved given the amount of paint I will need.

I’m wondering if highlighter pens could have the same effect for a fraction of the cost. Has anyone ever tried something similar and if so, how did it come out?

I don't know if anyone has ever done anything on that scale with highlighters. It'll be interesting to see the responses.

Either way, to make the color 'pop' it's always better to start with a white base. If you're using black paper, that may mean painting the sections you are going to color with white paint first. Those that skip this step are usually sorry.

Good point Screaming Demons.

I've heard that liquid Tide works well under UV light, although I was really hoping to use a variety of colors and would be concerned about drips where I don't want them. I've now turned into a googling machine these past 30 minutes looking for recipies for homemade blacklight paint.

I forsee a few mad scientist nights in my garage in my future! I'm sure my hubby will love that, he already thinks I'm nuts for thinking about Halloween this early.

i just use cheap fluorescent paints as well as cheap glow in the dark paints

for example ...





some more in my album http://www.halloweenforum.com/member...bums-2010.html

you don't need expensive paints

never used highlighters though

amk

strange, my images aren't posting for some reason

maybe just check out my album?

amk

Yeah, it doesn't have to be specifically blacklight paint as long as it's fluorescent. I do wonder how long highlighter ink lasts. Remember, the fluorescent part of the ink breaks down whenever it glows - it really is literally glowing, not just "looks brighter" so the fluorescent component breaks down under use. And most highlighters I've used have quickly faded from nice bright fluorescent yellow to a dull brownish yellow, sometimes within days. So I don't think there's actually all that much fluorescent pigment in a highlighter, while fluorescent paint and blacklight paint has a higher percentage in it. Even products like fluorescent vinyl for emergency vehicles is usually only guaranteed for 6 months of sun exposure (there are some more expensive kinds out there that might have a 1-2 year rating), there's just no way to make it last forever.

I think glow in the dark paint would probably be your best option but again I've never used highlighters for glow in the dark...

I did a 3d garage haunt for the first time last year. I did a lot of experimenting with markers and paints. I've found the best results with Wildfire Paint. The look is amazing. Nothing works as well. It isn't cheap, but you could probably pick a couple of colors and have fantastic results.

Look in the tutorial section. Terra has a couple of how tos...painting haunt images and chormadepth techniques. It's a good starting point. Also check out her profile for some fantastic pictures!

Originally Posted by annamarykahn

strange, my images aren't posting for some reason

maybe just check out my album?

amk

Awesome pics amk. Love the tombstones!

I was just trying to stay away from having to buy the florescent paints as I will need a lot of it to do what I'm trying to do. Sounds like I may just have to cough up the cash and do it the right way, although spending money on a prop that can be stored and used year after year is much easier than on spending it on something that will be thrown in the trash after the party.

Hmm, but you can probably find deals on fluorescent paint in Walmart and Home Depot/Lowes as well as using coupons at Michaels and Joann. Don't necessarily have to order specific blacklight paint.