Glow paint and pigment w/LEDs

[Diggs]

I am curious if anyone has tried to use a combo of glow paint or pigment mixed into paint with UV LEDs? I would love to cover a slow stick wing with something that glows and would be activated by UV light. I would think this would be extremely bright and the weight penalty would be minimal if done correctly.

I am also just purchased another Mini Mag today. I plan on making it into my first full 4 channel night flyer. I have some ideas for a layout that would include the glow paint/pigment, but would like to find someone that has done this and can give me some advice and thoughts on how well it worked. Also, this would require it an application that is FOAM safe :)

Thanks,
Diggs

[Pudknocker71]

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784724

Read post 19 and 21. I was just reading about ;) that.

[Diggs]

Cool, I asked him what type of paint he used. Saw that the other day and didn't think to ask him about it. That looks pretty good, but I really want to find a glow paint or pigment that is foam safe. Florescent is cool, but would prefer glow.

Diggs

[dalbert02]

I tried glow in the dark paint. I bought some meant for movie theatrics that was ridiculously expensive but said it was the brightest glowing paint available anywhere. It was about $25 for an ounce. Sadly, it did not glow as bright flourescent paint even when directly illuminated by the UV LEDs. However, in the event of LED failure, I suppose you could still see your plane, it just would not be very bright. I remember reading on the website that you could use a flash camera to get a quick recharge. I tried that too but it was still pretty dim in comparison to the flourescent paints.
-dave

[Diggs]

Ah, I know the paint you are talking about. Ok, looks like the Flo is the way to go. Any suggestions on a good brand that is bright and foam safe? Going to be applying this to a Mini Mag and/or Slowstick. Don't want to melt them.

Diggs

[Atom1025]

Hey Diggs I have the UV leds, I noticed on my recent build that the blue leds make neons glow even better then the UVs I have, so might be worth experimenting. Could also be crappy UVs but I am no pro in the led department. Als I know is they were 5mm and I think 4000mcd. The blue are 5mm 6000mcd.

[Diggs]

Thanks Adam! I am going to do up a Mini Mag and give it a test run before tossing the 60 up at night. I plan on getting some quality time in this LOOONG weekend, but am very comfortable with the wings now. Still haven't launched the 60 myself yet, so I don't have nearly the time on it I would like. However, I am going to chunk it in the air myself this weekend and see how it goes. I have to learn how to do that if I am going to get any time on it. Only a couple of flights so far. Still need to take more weight out of the nose, she is still heavy in the nose. I am also tempted to toss a pair of 4S packs in there this weekend to see what she will do :)

Diggs

[Atom1025]

I fly mine at 10" others have gone as far as 10.5" I would not go any farther then that. Glad you are getting some flights. Launching the 60 is the easiest of the bunch, just full throttle and let er' rip. Best of luck!

[UAVPilot]

I have bought different color Neon Monocoat trim sheets and stuck them under wings with UV LED's pointed up at them . Shows up very bright.

I usually cut them into a starburst pattern and applied them under the wings.

The neon Yellow and Neon red (pink really) show up the best.