glow-in-the-dark lawn signs

[OferNave]

I recently moved to New Hampshire (Free State Project), and am still getting used to having only ten hours of daylight right now - it gets dark by 4:30pm, and winter has barely begun. That means all the Ron Paul signs I put up around my city are only useful about 40% of the day.

It occurs to me that making a glow-in-the-dark sign would rock. After 4:30pm, you can't see the Romney and Giuliani and Thompson signs, but Paul still shines out. However, I've never worked with any glow-in-the-dark materials before.

Is it as simple as getting a glow-in-the-dark marker from Staples and writing on posterboard, or will that turn out to be weak? Looking for advice from crafty folks who've done stuff like this so I don't have to waste too much time and money on bad methods.

[James R]

I think it may be more effective to use bright sign with reflective tape rather than glow-in-the-dark. But you are right, all our signs should have that feature because we're getting to the point where most of us in the US are going home from work in the dark, and going to work in the dark.

[withallmyheart]

Check the paint dept at Home Depot or Lowes.

[steph3n]

I have tied using glow in the dark paint, but it wasn't good at all :(

[steph3n]

Check the paint dept at Home Depot or Lowes.

Home Depot doesn't have anything, except a little greenish tinted glow with light applied paint, it doesn't work well for the sign

[Corydoras]

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=30451

You should ask Someguy200 what happened with the United Nuclear paint.

The reflective tape idea is good, too.

[OptionsTrader]

Never tried it, but here's a link

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(edtwf255k5t0ih45d3mlgb55)/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=1204890&Source=froogle

http://images.acehardwareoutlet.com/getimage/getImage.aspx?Path=products/1204890 lr.jpg&height=200&width=175

[OferNave]

I think it may be more effective to use bright sign with reflective tape rather than glow-in-the-dark. But you are right, all our signs should have that feature because we're getting to the point where most of us in the US are going home from work in the dark, and going to work in the dark.

You're right - thanks for the outside-the-box answer.

[OptionsTrader]

This looks interesting:

Glow-in-The-Dark Numbers and Letters (up to 1 foot in height)

High-quality Glow-in-The-Dark adhesive material into numbers and letters in the sizes you need. once charged to will glow for up to 8 hours. Few minutes for regular light and the material will glow all over again. Mix and match but min. 10. Outdoor use not recommended for long permanent use. We can cut from 2" to 12" letters and numbers. Great for gear boxs, stage walls and flooring and emergency signage. Custom projects all also available.


http://www.safetystore.com/Glow-In-The-Dark-Numbers-And-Letters-Jcnumlet.htm

[OferNave]

I have tied using glow in the dark paint, but it wasn't good at all :(

That's why I asked here - it has been my experience that my first few attempts at executing my ideas usually involves disappointment (and learning) - was hoping to shortcut that process. :)

Thanks for the feedback.

[acstichter]

I bought some glow in the dark paper sheets at Office Max. They are thick paper that you could cut out in any shape you want. My intention is to cut it out to match the shape of the letters on my sign but haven't done it yet. Also, what if it gets wet?

[acstichter]

Also, check out this suggestion from our meetup:
http://ronpaul.meetup.com/7/messages/boards/view/viewthread?thread=3844468&listpage=20

It's a 50 lb bag of reflective crystals that you sprinkle on wet paint. The highway dept uses it. Buy a bag and share with all New Hampshire!

[koob]

ron paul neon lights?

[John of Des Moines]

If it's on you property or a friendly homeowner a set of 12 volt yard spot lights should do the trick. (Or go with the solar powered battery operated ones to you or homeowner don't want to mess with wiring.

[Man from La Mancha]

I just ordered some of this clear reflective paint...http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/25822...ordered from....http://rshughes.com/products/075577_09955.html?ref=g&refcp=froogle...will let you know with pictures this week on how it works, but since it is clear it won't be seen during the day light so it gives me a lot of places to use it like on trees and telephone poles.


http://news.thomasnet.com/images/medium/025/25822.jpg

[OferNave]

Also, check out this suggestion from our meetup:
http://ronpaul.meetup.com/7/messages/boards/view/viewthread?thread=3844468&listpage=20

It's a 50 lb bag of reflective crystals that you sprinkle on wet paint. The highway dept uses it. Buy a bag and share with all New Hampshire!

That rocks! I'm going to try tape first, though - less messy.

[OferNave]

If it's on you property or a friendly homeowner a set of 12 volt yard spot lights should do the trick. (Or go with the solar powered battery operated ones to you or homeowner don't want to mess with wiring.

I've got one sign on my property, but I've posted many others around town - anytime I see a sign for another candidate spring up, I add Ron Paul to the same spot.

[OferNave]

I just ordered some of this clear reflective paint...http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/25822...ordered from....http://rshughes.com/products/075577_09955.html?ref=g&refcp=froogle...will let you know with pictures this week on how it works, but since it is clear it won't be seen during the day light so it gives me a lot of places to use it like on trees and telephone poles.

Do you spray the whole sign with that, or just the letters?

[Pauliana]

I love the grassroots. This is brilliant. (pun intended)

[asdf]

http://unitednuclear.com/glowpaint.jpg
http://unitednuclear.com/glow.htm

This is supposedly the best glow paint out there according to the manufacturer (surprise !)

Great idea btw.

[Mandrik]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8gtr24Z9hI

:)

[Man from La Mancha]

Do you spray the whole sign with that, or just the letters?
I'm just going to spray the letters or use a stencil over something.

.

[OferNave]

Just bought a can of reflective spray paint from Home Depot. Will try it out shortly at post the results.

[Paulite5112007]

Reflective tape would be the best I think - glow in the dark items use chemicals that need light to 'charge' them (as far as I know) and would not last all night. Reflective tape, however, is like having a sensor on the sign that lights it up soon as someone drives near it. While driving, most peoples eyes dart all over the road to shiney things.

[krott5333]

glow in the dark isnt really glow in the dark.. it has to be recharged by light, so it doesnt work as good as it costs.

reflective would be better

[Man from La Mancha]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8gtr24Z9hI

:)Here another Ron paul light sgn made out of LED's and is portable and flashes..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWxLBuoe6q4&feature=related

How to make
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hnHHOJGG_I&feature=related


.

[Mckarnin]

I recently moved to New Hampshire (Free State Project), and am still getting used to having only ten hours of daylight right now - it gets dark by 4:30pm, and winter has barely begun. That means all the Ron Paul signs I put up around my city are only useful about 40% of the day.

It occurs to me that making a glow-in-the-dark sign would rock. After 4:30pm, you can't see the Romney and Giuliani and Thompson signs, but Paul still shines out. However, I've never worked with any glow-in-the-dark materials before.

Is it as simple as getting a glow-in-the-dark marker from Staples and writing on posterboard, or will that turn out to be weak? Looking for advice from crafty folks who've done stuff like this so I don't have to waste too much time and money on bad methods.


Something likethis might do the trick and it is supposed to be durable enough for boats and cars.

http://www.streetglo.net/reflective.tape/

[someguy200]

That stuff from United Nuclear is good stuff, it really does glow like it shows in their pictures. I've played with mine a little bit, just to test it out, and it was much brighter than a glow in the dark t-shirt i had. The bottle of paint itself lights up like a glow stick if you take it from light to a dark place. When I used some of the paint on a piece of cardboard it worked decent for a little while, but I think it just never got recharged, because it was in my room with only artificial light and the stuff needs UV rays (sunlight) to charge right. I'm going to test some and leave it in the sun all day, then take it to the dark, so it will have the same conditions as an outdoor sign.

Another idea I'm going to try is to get like a piece of black poster board and use like silver metallic/reflective tape to make the letters, then coat the letters in the paint. It should really stand out day or night, especially if it has a nice green glow from the paint.