Thread: RIT Whitener Paint Question

Tweet

I wanted buy some glow in the dark paint but wanted it to have that same bluish glow as it would with RIT Whitener or Laundry Soap. Has anyone tried mixing RIT Whitener with glue or paint to make a glow in the dark paint that would be more permanent?

I have used Rit mixed with white paint but you can't use very much paint so you still have a very watery consistancy.
It does work but is better if whatever you are painting can be put down flat on the floor until it dries to help avoid runs.

Liquid Tide glows the same way, and can be painted on.
You might try leaving something painted with tide out in the sun to make sure it doesn't fade.

I mix Tide with Gesso (it's in the paint section).

I prime my picture (the parts I want to glow) with a couple coats of gesso.

Then go over with the 50/50 tide/gesso mix.

I do touch up under a black light, so I can get my missed spots.



The key I have found lately is to get a good black light it seems most lights are crap these days

Was able to find this information on another website

"You can make your own UV-sensitive paint by mixing RIT-brand fabric whitener and brightener with just about any commercial paint, lacquer, or varnish. If the paint is water-based, you can use the liquid RIT. If the paint is solvent-based, use the powder RIT. The ratio is not critical - anywhere between 1:5 and 1:20 (RIT to paint).
Avoid mixing RIT with acrylic materials that are intended for use outdoors, or claim to be "UV stabilized". The chemicals in such materials prevent the UV light from getting to the RIT, so it kills the glow. When in doubt, mix a small batch and test with your black light before using it in quantity. "

Will give this a go and report back!

Tried a few mixes last night of RIT whitener in an attempt to make paint:

White Latex Paint: Very little glow. I believe that the pigment in the paint masked the prosperous in the RIT Whitener.

Black Oil Based Paint: No glow. Once again I believe it was due to the pigment in the paint.

Spar Varnish: No glow. This had some UV inhibitors in it.

Minwax Wood Hardener: This is solvent based that evaporates to leave a hard resin. Work very well and gave a nice glow when dry. However – it dried very quickly once applied. Also the RIT Whitener did not dissolve completely leaving little granules.

Tacky Glue: Nice glow equivalent to Wood Hardener. The other night I had mixed some RIT with watered down tack glue which glowed nicely but was too runny to paint with. I gave up on it and left the mixer to dry. Looked at it this morning and it was thick enough to paint with and had a nice glow. I will have to try mixing with less water initially.

So – I think I am going to go with the white glue approach. It will be more workable then the Wood Hardener and less toxic. I would like to try water based polyurethane but did not have any in the house; I believe that would work very well.