How To Make Your Own Glow-in-the-Dark Art

Expand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video.

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Take a break from watching your lava lamp, and have some freaky fun with phosphorescence. Inspired by the Instructables project: http://www.instructables.com/id/UV-Fun/

To complete this How-To you will need:

A pencil
Laundry detergent with whitener/brightener
A bucket, paintbrush, and water
A damp sponge
Two 18" fluorescent black light tubes with matching fixtures
Surge protector
A blank wall or other surface

Warning: Before you paint, apply a small amount of detergent to an inconspicuous part of your wall. Allow it to dry, then make sure you can remove it with a damp sponge. Some materials and paints may absorb detergent, which would make your masterpiece permanent.

Step 1: Pick your design

Pick your design. Using a pencil, lightly trace an outline of the picture onto your wall.

Step 2: Prep your detergent

Prep your detergent: If it's a powder, mix it in the bucket with water until you get a paint-like consistency. If you're working with a thicker liquid detergent, you may want to thin it with water to make it easier to spread.

Tip: Be sure the detergent contains a "whitener" or "brightener." This is what makes it glow when exposed to UV rays.

Step 3: Paint

Using your brush, paint the detergent mixture over your pencil marks. After the first coat is completely dry, apply a second coat to fill in any missed spots. Keep a damp sponge on hand to deal with drips and mistakes.

Step 4: Set up the lights

Assemble your black lights—which are also known as UV lights and can be found online—in their fixtures. Plug them into a surge protector, and set them up on either side of your design.

Tip: Don't use incandescent UV bulbs. They don't create enough light to produce a good glow, and they give off enough heat to be considered a fire hazard.

Step 5: Turn off the light

To achieve the most spectacular effect, make the room as dark as possible by drawing the curtains, shutting the door, and turning off the lights.

Step 6: Revel in your artistry

Invite a few friends over, flip on the black lights, and revel in your awesome artistry.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• artist
• arts
• hothowtos
• instructables
• making
• painting
• phosphorescence
• techniques
• ultraviolet
• uv
• walls

[viiviiixxtactic]

My friend did this... but when we were invited over, and he flicked on the black light to see his masterpiece that he had painted on the wall... his bed lit up...

[inkuissuper]

you could write scary creepy messages to the next people who buys your house

lol then on the news.................

[WachiSanTV]

@isaaclester hahahaha! genius

[WachiSanTV]

@boompowzing

yeah I know right...

step one: have a cat

step two: collect cat urine

step three: paint with the piss on the wall

did you know that earth is an planet

[brooklynsworld]

@Diamonds6Bxxth thats not how i knew, i have it in my cat facts book and i known that for over 3 years!! i cant beileve you all them people dont know that!

[boompowzing]

cat urine glows???????????? lol

[Diamonds6Bxxth]

How did you people not know cat piss glows? It's in the 300 weird but true facts iPhone app.

[isaaclester]

tap 4 for "sit in the bucket"

[AaronAwsomness]

anyone else remember those creepy UV paintings in Orphan?

[warkiller61]

Well, time to go smear cat piss on my wall.

[MegaAwesomeMe1]

lol be4 i move i would write random glow in the dark messages

[williambob245]

What the hell are cats drinkin that makes thair piss glow in the dark,and how the fuck did we find this out?