Glow in the dark paint for outside

Want to make your outdoor glow like an orb? Then all you need is a glow in the dark paint that works well for the outdoors.

Unlike general everyday glow in the dark paints, these are thicker and more durable, making them easily withstand the harsh weather outside.

Even though it withstands the outside weather easily, doing a clear layer can make it fully weatherproof. Also, it adds a glossy finish to the paint.

These paints charge themselves using the direct sunlight and glow brightly in the dark. You can additionally use artificial light to charge them. Now, the important question is: Which is best for the outdoors?

While there are hundreds of outdoor glow in the dark paints self-proclaiming to give the best glow, it’s pretty hard to get your hands on a good one, but don’t worry, I got you.

After literally trying tens of these paints, I have finally chosen the top 3. Most of the paints I have used either don’t glow well or wash off easily, so it was crucial to recommend the best so you don’t waste your hard-earned money on some crap.

Below is a quick view of my recommendations.

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Astro Glow Non-Toxic Glow in the Dark Paint, Light Green, .54 fl. oz.

Ultra-green water based glow in the dark paint by Glow Inc 2 oz

Glow in the Dark Paint, 1.7 fl oz (50ml), Aurora Bright Green, Non-Toxic, Water Based, by SpaceBeams

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Astro Glow Non-Toxic Glow in the Dark Paint, Light Green, .54 fl. oz.

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Ultra-green water based glow in the dark paint by Glow Inc 2 oz

Winner

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Glow in the Dark Paint, 1.7 fl oz (50ml), Aurora Bright Green, Non-Toxic, Water Based, by SpaceBeams

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• Wait! Read it. First!
• 3. Astro Glow Non-Toxic Glow in the Dark Paint For Outdoor –
• 2. Ultra Green V10 Glow in the Dark Paint For Outdoor –
• 1. Aurora Bright Green Glow in The Dark Paint For Outdoor
• Tips for Outdoor Glow in the Dark Paint –
• FAQ
  • Does glow in the dark paintwork outside?
  • How long does glow in the dark paint last outside?
  • Is glow in the dark paint waterproof?
  • Does sunlight charge glow in the dark outside?
• Conclusion

Wait! Read it. First!

Before you check out the top paints, I want you to read this as it will decide whether your paint will work or not. People think the paint applied outdoors will always glow. Since I have painted outdoors, they say it will automatically get direct sunlight and charge itself to glow brightly. Well, nope!

To get it to glow bright, you have to have it in a location that gets the late evening sunlight or the last hour of sunlight. Why? Think of it in this way. If your paint gets direct sunlight at noon, it will start glowing once the rays get off the paint. From that time till the evening, it will be glow.

Now, since these glow in the dark paints have an average of 1-3 hours of glow, you will lose the brightest part and be left with just a highlight. Even before night arrives, most of the glow will be gone. And then people complain that it doesn’t work in the dark. Well, it does, but the problem is the charge.

If you didn’t solve the glow problem, I would recommend using a Blacklight to charge it. Two minutes is all that’s needed for a good glow. I would recommend this blacklight torch as it’s perfect for this work.

It works for all the paints. Now, you can check the best paints.

3. Astro Glow Non-Toxic Glow in the Dark Paint For Outdoor –

While most glow in the dark paint easily washes off in the water, Astro Glow remains firm and intact, making it an excellent outdoor paint. I didn’t mean that it’s completely water/weatherproof, but it holds well against bad weather.

Still, I would recommend you clear coat it for prolonged life. It’s a small paint bottle about the size of a nail polish bottle with around 0.54 oz(16 ml) of paint. This much paint can paint a couple of small things outdoors, but if you are thinking of painting the whole fence or door, etc., it’s not enough.

Then you either have to get a lot of bottles or get a bigger size of Ultra Green V10(the next paint) as Astro Glow doesn’t offer a bigger size. Its water-based acrylic is very smooth to apply and clean if spilled (using water). Yes, it can be easily wiped off using water if spilled by mistake.

But that’s only possible until it’s wet. Once dried, you can’t clean or remove it whatsoever. Also, please don’t use it on the skin; it’s not body paint. Even if it mistakenly falls on your skin, don’t panic as it’s non-toxic and completely safe, but clean it asap before it dries.

This paint fluoresces nice, not bright like Aurora, but still, it does the work. But like every other glow in the dark paint, its glow depends on the charge. With a reasonable charge from a good source, it will glow brightly for a long time, but the opposite if even one factor is missing.

So, either let it get the last sunlight or use a handy blacklight to charge. Believe me; it’s worth the price. Now, which things can you paint the outdoors? It adheres well to… well, everything. Plastic, wood, metal, fabric, fishing lures, signs, you name it, it sticks fast and glows brightly.

If you didn’t like it for any reason, you could claim its 100% money-back guarantee.

Pros

• Can withstand bad weather
• Smooth and easy to apply
• Glows bright
• Non-toxic and completely safe

Cons

• Paint is less, so not suitable for big surfaces.
• Doesn’t glow for long

Astro Glow Non-Toxic Glow in the Dark Paint, Light Green, .54 fl. oz.

• Extremely Bright Long Lasting Glow! If charged with a bright light it will glow ALL NIGHT and will continue to recharge over and over again. No need for expensive black lights.
• Paint dries virtually clear and is nearly invisible on light colored surfaces. You won't even know it's there!
• Adheres well to plastic, wood, metal and fabric making it great for all projects including fishing lures, starscapes on ceilings, signs, & whatever else you want to make glow

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2. Ultra Green V10 Glow in the Dark Paint For Outdoor –

Ultra Green V10 is an excellent option if you want a bright glow in the outdoors. Made from the highest grade Strontium Aluminate Pigments, this durable paint fluoresces at least two hours after charge.

This paint is gritty and feels like fine-grit sandpaper once dry. It’s nothing close to smooth, but remember, this grit is the glow pigments that are needed to emit light. Even though it’s gritty, it can be easily applied. Only it doesn’t feel right, rest everything is excellent.

It’s a very thick paint, much like toothpaste, which adheres well to rigid surfaces and ensures good glow. Since you want to paint the outdoor, you can use an acrylic thinner or water to thin it according to your preference. However, don’t overdo it, as the more you dilute, the less it glows.

It glows really well and, once applied, can fluoresce for months without any problem. But to get this result, you have to use and charge it carefully. To get the best result while applying, have a thick coat, at least 1/16” or 4oz per square foot. And use it in a place that gets direct sunlight even in the evening.

Personally, I think sunlight isn’t enough as the glow hardly remains till night. Most of it is used in the late evening. So, it is better to use a backlight to charge it. Use a blacklight to charge it for a few minutes, and you will get several hours of bright glow. Why get a weak glow when you can get a strong one?

If you don’t have a blacklight, use high wattage bulbs, it will do the trick. Apart from charge and thickness, the surfaces matter a lot. It glows bright and long on a lighter surface like white, so use a primer coat of white paint before applying it.

And a clear coat sealer on the paint to make it weatherproof. Thanks to its durability, it can withstand harsh weather on its own. Personally, I have painted the Jacuzzi steps outside, and till now, it’s firm and glowing. It has survived various hail storms, rain, etc.

However, I would recommend you do some clear coats for longevity. You can use it on various surfaces like metal, signs, fishing lures, wood, and other materials. And finally, if you think 2 oz(50 ml) is less, you can upgrade to 1/2 pint, Quart, and even a Gallon, depending on the use.

Pros

• Durable and bright
• Apply smoothly 
• Plenty of size options
• Can withstand bad weather

Cons

• It feels like a grit sandpaper

Ultra-green water based glow in the dark paint by Glow Inc 2 oz

• Highest Grade Strontium Aluminate Pigments (grade 0, Brightness Rating 33000 mcd/m2) Glow in the Dark Pigment for Paints
• Apply very thick, 1/16" or 4 oz per square foot. This container covers 18 square inches or 0.125 square feet.
• Ideal to paint abusive environments like glow in the dark fishing lures, metal surfaces or signs

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1. Aurora Bright Green Glow in The Dark Paint For Outdoor

When painting outdoors, you expect the paint to withstand harsh weather, charge quickly, and glow for long. But almost no paint ever did it. Until now! If you want a paint that can tackle harsh weather, charge within seconds and fluoresce for hours, then hands down, Aurora is my top recommendation, forever.

Made from top-grade europium-doped aluminate oxide pigments, it is among the brightest glow in the dark paints I have ever used. It glows like the picture above, and you will probably be shocked and happy(like me) to see how well it glows. Just shake it well and apply, and magic happens.

This paint is very thick, just like toothpaste, making it easy to apply on most surfaces, even on rigid ones. If you think it’s too thick, you can mix some acrylic thinner or water to thin it. Remember, it can withstand harsh weather, but it’s better to coat it for longevity.

You can apply clear nail polish over it to make a coat, and it will work just fine. It can be used on many surfaces like wood, glass, fabric, metal, plastic, etc. Unlike the last paint, it’s very smooth and has zero graininess, so all you will see and feel is a smooth coat of paint.

Oh, sorry, did I say see? Well, this paint dries clear, more specifically white, so it’s almost unnoticeable(in daylight) until you really try to seek it out. So, you can’t see it! It’s a big bottle where you get 1.7 oz(50 ml) of paint, which is enough for most things unless you really want to paint the whole outdoor.

If you have some left after applying outdoors, you can use it indoors as it’s non-toxic and non-flammable, so completely safe to use. Remember one thing, don’t use it on the skin or hair, and clean it asap if it’s spilled somewhere. Once dry, it’s hard to remove; believe me, nothing helps.

Now, let’s talk about its best thing, the so-called “Glow.” As I mentioned earlier, it glows really bright with a few seconds of charge, 10 seconds, to be particular. But you need a powerful light for charging. Sunlight won’t help; you need either LED lights, powerful bulbs, and lamps for a good glow.

But for the best and brightest glow, you need a UV Blacklight(officially recommended). Just 10 seconds of charge from Blacklight is enough for hours of glow, but I would personally recommend two minutes. This UV Blacklight is the best as it’s handy, cheap, and powerful.

Want a bonus? With Aurora bottle, you get Lifetime Access To The Exclusive VIP Stencils Membership, which offers you a lot of professional things for free.

Pros

• Fluoresce bright with seconds of charge
• Can withstand harsh weather
• Thick and smooth to apply
• Suitable for most surfaces, even rigid one
• Completely safe, so it can be used indoors

Cons

• Nothing really

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• These paints are durable and can withstand harsh weather, but they still have a clear for longevity.
• They glow in the dark, but you have to charge them with a powerful light like Blacklight.
• You may not see its glow if there is a street light next door. There should be darkness.
• Sunlight may not be the best charger, so getting some article light is a must if you want to see a bright glow.
• These paints glow brighter on lighter surfaces, so try painting them on a light surface or do a primer coat of white paint on the surface before use.
• You can use an acrylic thinner or water to thin it.
• If you want to paint the whole wall, get a bigger size; these small bottles may not help. V10 Glow offers a lot of sizes

FAQ

Does glow in the dark paintwork outside?

Yes, glow in the dark paint works outside just as they do inside. But they may wash off in the harsh weather like rain, so it’s essential to clear coat them for long life. Also, apply it thickly; otherwise, most of its glow will be overpowered by nearby street lights(or other lights).

How long does glow in the dark paint last outside?

If you are using good quality paint, then it can last for months. However, doing a weatherproof coating can increase that time to years. So, for longevity, do a clear coat on top, which will last for years.

Is glow in the dark paint waterproof?

Technically No, but from personal experience, Yes. Most of the thick paints like Aurora are very hard to remove once dry, so they can withstand the water for months. However, I would still recommend having a clear coat for the best weatherproofing.

Does sunlight charge glow in the dark outside?

Yes, but only until it gets the direct sunlight. Once the rays get off the paint, they will begin using the charge and fluoresce.

Due to that, most of the charge will be depleted in the evening, and even before night arrives, you will lose the most glowing part. So, sunlight is good, but not the best. That’s why I always recommend a Blacklight for better charging.

Conclusion

So, it’s the end of the article. In this article, I talked about the best glow in the dark paints for outdoor use. These paints can withstand harsh weather and glow in the dark like an orb. If you like this article, share it with your friends and family.