Glow-in-the-Dark Bike

[JayC]

I'm considering glow-in-the-dark spray paint and something like this. Thoughts?

[K'Tesh]

I use Retroreflective film, I think that it would show up better. I think that there is every chance that those frames are being blacklit to glow brighter.

This is what my frame looks like with simple flash from a camera.





These pics were taken from my set on flickr.


Good luck on whichever you choose
K'Tesh

[Camel]

HI there K'tesh,

I've tried looking on the web for the craft store where you bought your reflective film-no luck.

Where abouts is it?

Thanks!

[JayC]

Glow-in-the-dark paint generally is not reflective. It only glows in, well, the dark. It's like having your bike be one giant light, rather than one giant reflector. The advantage being that light doesn't have to hit it for it to shine.

[PDXGS]

Retroreflective is more pawerful/visible than glow in the dark. The glow in the dark needs to be activated by a light source in order to glow and the glow is much much less than the light source whereas the retroreflective films reflect more than 70% of the incoming light back to the light-source.
You can get retroreflective fils at any custom signage shop or spring for the superreflective SOLAS tapes from 3M at places like Westmarine.
Cheers,
Jorge

[erth64net]

Originally Posted by Camel

HI there K'tesh,

I've tried looking on the web for the craft store where you bought your reflective film-no luck.

Where abouts is it?

Thanks!

You can find red retro-reflective tape (reflects as red) at most auto supply stores, and at GI-JOE's (now just JOES?). I purchased my navy-blue (reflects as blue) and black (reflects as white) retro-reflective tape through Galls: http://www.galls.com/style.html?asso...og&style=DE180 If you use their search engine for "3M Scotchlite", you'll find tape as wide as four inches. Just make sure you apply the tape to a clean surface - even around the curves of my frame and rims, this tape is still holding strong.

PediGreen, which is barely a block from the Hillsboro MAX stop, carries raw retro-reflective fabric, and an excellent variety of high visibility clothing, gloves, umbrellas, helmet covers, etc... http://www.pedigreen.com/

If you're in a hurry, Fabric Depot off 122nd and Stark also carries a small selection of retro-reflective ribbon. Though I'd recommend PediGreen, as their selection is better.

Overall, when seeking retro-reflective material, just make sure you're getting the 3M stuff (http://www.3m.com/scotchlite) - I've found everything else to be sub-par in terms of overall quality and reflectiveness.

[JayC]

K'Tesh, I'm confused about what you've done with your bike. Your site seems to indicate that the blue part is reflective tape, but it looks like a paint job, not tape strips. What did you do?

[K'Tesh]

I have two resources... one for 3M Scotchlite (Blue, White, and Green) the other for Avery (Black and Red)

The Scotchlite came from my local FASTSIGNS

Web:
http://www.fastsigns.com/US-OR-Beaverton-store46.html

Physical location:
11870 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy
Beaverton, OR
(503)526-0216


The Avery came from Multi-Craft Plastics

Web:
http://www.multicraftplastics.com

Physical location:
7298 SW Tech Center Dr
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 620-0601

I've found that the Avery is cheaper, and comes in larger sizes, but it's a little darker than the scotchlite.

The my bike's frame is covered in the Scotchlite (blue and white). The new forks (replacement for those destroyed when I was hit 10/12) were black, and Multi-Craft had black in stock, so I went with that.

Hope that helps!
K'Tesh

[wyeast]

I think part of what's confusing people (myself included) is that the graphics on the frame appears to be showing through the retroreflective tape. Did you re-apply new decals on top, or is it just incidental?

Great tips and links!

[JayC]

So did you just wrap reflective tape around the tubes? I guess this is very thin tape.

Update: Yes, the logos are confusing.