Questions and answers
Advisor / FAQ for lumentics.de
Overview
General questions
Questions about luminescent powders and pigments
Questions about luminescent granules
Questions about luminous paint
Questions about luminescent films and papers
Questions about lumentics
Questions about order, delivery and contact
General questions
What are luminescent substances?
Luminescent (phosphorescent) materials can store and release light energy. Thanks to their chemical properties, they can be recharged again and again over a long period of time. As a sustainable sunlight storage device, they make garden lighting possible without the need for a power source, for example. This product innovation replaces disposable items such as glow-in-the-dark lights and creates the conditions for glowing party decorations with a long service life. Lay people often incorrectly refer to afterglow pigments as fluorescent.
Fluorescent light elements require permanent exposure to UV radiation (black light) in order to glow in the dark. They only glow for a very short time once the light is switched off.
Phosphorescent afterglows do not depend on continuous exposure to light. They are also briefly excited by daylight or black light and have a maximum glow time of up to 12 hours in the dark.
Are afterglow pigments safe to use??
The rechargeable glow products from our range are neither radioactive nor toxic.
The color pigments and the product line based on them consist of high-quality processed strontium aluminate in pure chemical composition. You can use the color pigments without hesitation for application in the children's room, on textiles and the skin - of course we advise against ingestion, e.g. in drinks or food.
Why professional phosphors instead of supposedly inexpensive annealing products from other manufacturers?
From the 80s, you surely know the dimly shining stars for the playroom. Such glow elements based on zinc sulfide release stored energy quite quickly after irradiation.
Our premium phosphors based on highly luminescent strontium aluminate are characterized by slow energy release. They achieve a proven 10-20 times higher luminosity and are also measurably more durable than various competitor products based on strontium aluminate.
Which light source is used to excite the color?
The luminescent professional color pigments store natural light and emit it again in darkness in a clearly visible way. Daylight, especially direct sunlight, is perfectly sufficient to stimulate the long-lasting luminosity of the colors. Electrically generated UV light (black light) can of course also be used for activation.
Depending on the product, charging via artificial light (incandescent bulbs for room lighting and LED) is additionally possible (especially for blue-green and green).
How do luminescent products react to heat, cold and wetness?
The luminescent color components in our products are insensitive to heat and cold. For outdoor use and to protect against weathering and wear damage, we recommend in some cases painting with a moisture-proof paint. Mixing or thinning with water or other carrier substances is practicable in many cases, please read the description in the desired product category.
Do you prefer ready-made paint, luminous powder or granules for application?
The product selection depends on your application purpose: for painting, dabbing or applying to solid surfaces, the ready-mixed premium paint is suitable. For pressing into surfaces that are still hardening, e.g. a primer of acrylic paint, modeling clay, etc., solid particles are well suited. Depending on the desired degree of fineness, powders or granules are suitable. The more viscous the carrier substance, the less the pigments sink in. Homogeneous mixtures are best produced with silicone resin or clear varnish. For use as nail varnish, a well-mixed combination with transparent topcoat is recommended.
Questions about luminescent powders and pigments
How do I apply the pigments to the skin?
As a first step, carry out a skin compatibility test on a small area of the arm measuring 1 cm x 1 cm, as everyone reacts differently to foreign substances. If no allergic reaction occurs, you can decorate your body without hesitation. To do this, mix the glow powders with special skin glue or adhesive fat cream.
An exception in the composition is the color pigment orange, as this is calcium sulfide, which is irritant according to the Ordinance on Hazardous Substances.
How often can the powder be used?
The powders can be used over and over again for at least 15 years without losing their luminous properties.
What is the best way to charge the pigments?
The luminescent professional color pigments store natural light and emit it again in darkness in a clearly visible way. Daylight, especially direct sunlight, is perfectly sufficient to stimulate the long-lasting luminosity of the colors. Electrically generated UV light (black light) can of course also be used for activation.
Depending on the product, charging via artificial light (incandescent bulbs for room lighting and LED) is additionally possible (especially for blue-green and green).
How fine is the grain size?
The particle sizes of our premium annealing powders are 65-85 µm. This makes them ideal for incorporation into liquid binders. If you do not mix in our pigments but use them directly in the form of granules or as decorative pebbles, we recommend that you purchase our glow granules.
What are the areas of application?
The premium afterglow powders are ideal for use in hobbies, DIY, gardening, handicrafts, for beautifying walls and pictures – without having to rely on black light. Also in the safety area, e.g. for luminous signs, escape routes, bicycle helmets, etc., you can achieve the desired lasting luminous effect with the pigments.
What can you mix the pigments with?
Luminescent pigments are mixed with a carrier substance, which in the best case is clear and translucent, before application. They can then be applied directly.
Suitable is: casting resin, epoxy resin, tree resin, liquid plastics, wallpaper paste, transparent glue, hot glue, silicone, acrylic varnish, nail polish. Fixing spray, grease cream. For indoor areas, choose a solvent-free carrier. In the garden and, for example, for bicycles and cars, we recommend weather-resistant carrier liquid and sealing with an additional protective coating.
It is important that the pigments are not covered by darker / opaque particles, as in this case the luminosity is reduced. Test milky liquids to see if they become transparent when cured. In this case, you can use the pigments with them without any problems.
Can the pigments be mixed with other artist and wall paints?
Mixing with other colors is generally possible with our professional products. However, the pigments should not be coated or covered by other colors, this would darken their luminosity. Observe the following instructions to maintain the luminosity in the best possible way: the lighter/ more translucent the other color, the more prominent the self-luminous color pigments will be. You can thin dark acrylic paints slightly and then incorporate the glow pigments with acyrl binder. You will get the best result if the noctilucent powders mixed with clear varnish are applied thinly to the painted picture. The pigments are whitish in daylight and appear like a slightly dusty layer on the painting when you look closely. However, the underlying color still stands out clearly.
lumentics tips
- The pigments' own weight may cause them to sink into water-based paints. You can thicken the carrier liquid with clear varnish before sprinkling.
- To paint on paper and wallpaper, prime with white acrylic paint so that the pigments remain on the surface of the material.
- For painting textiles, mixing with normal fabric paints is not sufficient. We advise to use transparent screen printing inks.
What mixing ratio is used?
The mixing ratio is ideally matched to the viscosity of the carrier liquid. A mixing ratio of one part glow powder to two parts carrier liquid (1:2) is appropriate in most cases. For dark mixed colors, you can sprinkle in slightly more luminescent pigments. The denser the pigment ratio, the stronger the luminosity. If the pigment ratio is too high, the mixture may form lumps. It is best to advance slowly while stirring constantly.
For incorporation into wall paint, the mixture of 1:1 – 1:3 is well suited, depending on the viscosity and brightness of the paint.
Any tips on how to apply it?
The mixed powders can be applied well with a narrow brush for fine drawings. Instead of one thick layer, apply several thin coats so that nothing runs. On useful surfaces (e.g. musical instruments, stair treads), seal the pigment layer with an impact-resistant transparent topcoat.
Are the luminescent pigments water-resistant?
The luminous pigments are water-resistant due to a protective coating, they can be used, for example, to illuminate decorative fountains, aquariums or swimming pools. Due to the weight, they sink down in the water and do not float in the liquid, as known from a snow globe. They shine a little weaker from the bottom, because the pigments there can absorb less light.
How long do the pigments retain their luminosity?
The offered Lumentics pigments are very high quality, the shades green and blue have an afterglow time of 8-12 hours. The pigment purple afterglows over 3 h and orange over approx. 1 h. The strongest luminosity is achieved in the first half hour, then it gradually decreases. All pigments are guaranteed to last up to 15 years and retain their properties.
Do they all shine with the same intensity?
Glow powders in the colors green and blue-green show the strongest afterglow effect. The blue pigments are less pronounced. The orange and purple versions radiate at a wavelength that is more difficult for the human eye to detect. Therefore, the luminosity appears lower than, for example, with the strongly luminous perceived colors green and blue-green. On dark backgrounds or as face paint, the purple glow pigment stands out with difficulty. Mix in some blue-green powder if necessary.
The color pigment purple is very difficult to excite by light with a low UV content (e.g., an incandescent bulb).
What color are the fluorescent powders in daylight?
The luminous pigments are supplied in a resealable bag and are white-yellowish in daylight. After charging, they glow in the dark in the desired color.
Can the applied pigment be removed again?
The premium glow powders are removable according to the description of the carrier substance. The pigments can be easily removed from textiles (without special fixation) and skin with soapy water.
Questions about luminescent granules
What are the areas of application?
Depending on which grain size you choose, the granules can be used as decorative sand, for working into or applying to walls, furniture, plant soil and decorations. Practically they can be used for all areas of handicrafts, decorating and for special effects.
How to apply the night glow granules?
You can sprinkle the granules loosely as glow decor or mix them with clear paints and adhesives. Likewise, the pebbles can be placed on top of drying paints, resins, concrete, etc. Press the glow pebbles only lightly into the solidifying surface so that they do not sink.
How long do the Premium Glow Granules glow?
Due to outstanding product quality, photoluminescence of 8 to 12 hours is possible with our professional granules.
Do the glow granules also work in water, e.g. for making a snow globe?
Small granules (0.5 – 2mm) dissolve in water and lose their luminosity. In this case, our fluorescent powders are a good alternative, they also glow in the water.
The large-grain annealing granules (4 - 8 mm) are set in synthetic resin and are insensitive to water and solvent-containing liquids.
Can the granular granules also be incorporated into glass, concrete, clay, etc.?
The self-luminous color grains are heat and cold resistant and can be heated up to 1,000 degrees Celsius after processing in various materials. For more details, please refer to the respective article descriptions.
Are there differences in the luminosity of the granules due to the grain size?
Basically, the larger the particle size, the brighter the glow granules. The pebbles with a grain size of 0.5 – 2 mm are still somewhat brighter than the very finely ground glow powder.
In the granules with 4-8 mm diameter, the glow-in-the-dark powder is bound in resin. Therefore, their maximum luminosity is comparable to the powder and lasts for 12 hours.
Questions about luminous paint
Are the colors waterproof?
For outdoor use and protection from weather damage, we recommend painting with a conventional waterproof paint.
On which surface can the Premium Fluorescent Paint be used?
Lumentics professional rechargeable glow paint can be used on a variety of surfaces, on canvas, paper (wallpaper) or as a wall paint. It also holds on glass, wood, plastic, ceramics or metals. The lighter the substrate, the stronger the luminosity. For outdoor use or on utility furniture, we recommend an additional transparent protective coating.
What can the colors be mixed with?
The Lumentics colors can be mixed with each other and diluted with water if necessary. However, dilution reduces the luminosity. The same applies when mixing with dark stains, which could mask the luminosity. Night Glow paints are not suitable for mixing with epoxy resin, but our premium luminescent pigments and powders are.
How fine can be applied?
With a suitable brush, fine ornaments and characters are also possible. Basically, the glow paint is rather thick and heavy, similar to a standard acrylic paint.
Is the afterglow color transparent during the day?
The yellow-green and blue-green glow colors have a very light greenish-yellow shimmer during the day, they appear almost transparent similar to dried liquid glue. The thicker the paint is applied, the more visible and opaque it is.
lumentics tips:Besides the daytime transparent colors, we also offer the following afterglow color:
- Daylight / afterglow color
- blue blue
- yellow / yellow-green
- orange / light orange or salmon color
- pink / pink
- green/ green
Are there any other shades?
We are constantly developing new products and luminescent paints, e.g. luminescent paints in pastel colors. These are particularly suitable as wall paint. So it's worth visiting our store again and again – the assortment grows and with it your creative possibilities.
Questions about luminescent films and papers
Can papers and foils be printed?
If described in the offer, the papers can be printed accordingly with inkjet or laser printers.
The luminous photo papers are best processed with an inkjet printer due to the coating. A sheet of paper is less than 1mm thick, so it fits easily into standard printers. Use the luminescent printer papers also for individual invitation cards, letters and as craft paper.
The self-luminous color foils cannot be printed.
Are the light foils weather resistant?
Our luminous foils can also be attached outdoors, e.g. to the window or mailbox, protected from the weather. If they are exposed to rain, snow or mechanical friction, use an additional well-adhering protective film (transparent) to cover them. On moving surfaces or in the case of very heavy-duty use (e.g. stair treads), our fast-drying and long-lasting luminous paints are more suitable. Here, too, a protective coating with clear varnish is advisable.
What is the measured luminosity?
Of the colors offered, the yellow-green self-luminous color film has the highest measured luminosity. It is still clearly visible after more than five hours, while blue-green is still five times superior to a competitor product with a sixty-minute afterglow time. A slight afterglow is visible for more than six hours.
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Questions about other products
Fascinated by the luminosity of our professional pigments, more and more product developments are added to the range, for example luminous jewelry, stickers, tattoos and tokens, yarn and much more.
Questions about the individual categories we will gradually explain at this point or directly in the product text. You can also contact us directly by e-mail at info@lumentics.de with your request.
Questions about lumentics
How long have Lumentics' premium phosphors been available and who is behind them?
Chemistry professional Dr. Falko Böttger-Hiller has been interested in sustainable, non-hazardous products that make life easier since he was a student. Asked by an acquaintance about how a glowing dining table works, his imagination was sparked. Together with online expert Lars Ehrhardt, they founded the venture Dr. Falko Böttger-Hiller & Lars Ehrhardt Leuchtstoffe GbR in April 2015. Soon after, the first products were played out on div. online channels and the webshop lumentics.de, with an extensive range of intense luminescent colors and rare photoluminescent powders. Due to the inventiveness of the two, we expect more interesting luminescent products in the near future.
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Where else can I buy the products?
Here on the website and on the marketplaces amazon and Ebay. The goods will be delivered in 1-3 business days regardless of the shopping channel.
Questions about order, delivery and contact
For questions about your delivery, special requests, feedback or bulk orders, please contact us using the contact details provided in the imprint. The team of lumentics.de will contact you as soon as possible to clarify your request.