3 Best Glow In The Dark Paint For Outdoor Use in 2023 (2023)

Are you bored of seeing the same dark outdoors every single day? Well, so was I before deciding to paint mine outdoors with some dashing glow-in-the-dark paint.

These paints add magic to my yard, and neighbors have been curious since day one. While discussing how to use glow paints, I will discuss the best paint for outdoors, which are a bit “different.”

Why? Because the outdoors suffers a lot more cruelty. The scorching sunlight, the breathtaking wind, and the shivering rain/snow are all directly on the surface.

So, to withstand these harsh elements, we need a “different” glow in the dark paint, something that is thicker and more durable than others. Now, you will ask – “So, Hannah which one is the best?”

Well, that’s what I will talk about in this article, along with some tips & tricks and some FAQs to resolve your remaining doubts. So, let’s begin.

In a hurry? Below is a quick view of my recommendations.

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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 themselves to glow brightly. Well, not really! To get it to glow bright, you have to have it in a location that gets late evening sunlight or the last hour of sunlight.

Why? Think of it 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 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 it’s completely water/weatherproof, but it holdswell 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 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 nicely, 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

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

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

Ultra Green V10 is an excellent option for a bright outdoor glow. 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 pigment 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 a good glow. Since you want to paint the outdoors, 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

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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 a long. But almost no paint ever did it. Until now! If you want to 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, like toothpaste, making it easy to apply on most surfaces, even rigid ones. If it’s too thick, 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 you will see and feel 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 with 1.7 oz(50 ml) of paint, which is enough for most things unless you want to paint the whole outdoors.

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.

Let’s talk about its best thing, the so-called “Glow.” As I mentioned, 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, or 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 the 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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Tips for Outdoor Glow in the Dark Paint –

• These paints are durable and can withstand harsh weather, but they still have a clear for longevity.
• They glow in the dark, but you must 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 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 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 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.