Techno Glow primarily utilizes acrylic latex paint medium for our glow in the dark paint. The following instructions focus around acrylic latex paint medium unless otherwise indicated.

1. Choose the color and granularity of the glow in the dark powder appropriate to your project. Larger particle sizes generally glow longer, but the resulting paint will not have as smooth a finish as finer particles or smaller micron sizes. Protect the powder from moisture by storing in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Clumping or yellowing can be indicators of the pigment powder being exposed to moisture. Continue to avoid exposure to moisture until the powder is mixed with the paint medium.
2. Obtain the needed primer, clear medium, and possibly a clear top coat. Feel free to have your local hardware store contact us with any technical questions they might have. We also carry a wide variety of paint and other mediums that works very well with our products.
   • Primer – Choose the primer made for the substrate you will be painting. A white primer will facilitate the highest glow, while a dark primer will reduce or absorb the luminosity.
   • Paint Medium – Paint should be clear so that color pigment particles don’t interfere with the glow. Clear acrylic latex paints, polyurethane, solvents and resins are some of the best mediums, though other paint mediums may be used with success. Remember that more viscous mediums do a better job of holding the pigment in suspension without need for an anti-settling agent.
   • Top Coat – The purpose is to seal and protect the luminous paint layer, although not necessary most of the times. Top coats can be most anything clear (polyurethane or acrylic) to protect the finish without interfering with the glow. Avoid paint with high UV filters in order for light to penetrate through to charge and discharge the powder. A lot of paint mediums that do include UV filters works just fine.
3. Prepare the surface you are going to paint. Be sure that the surface is clean and dry. Apply the primer to the surface and allow primer adequate time to fully cure before painting. Plan for the amount of glow in the dark powder and paint medium you plan to use. You should only mix as much as you plan to use immediately, because if left sitting, the medium can settle or set up and make using the paint difficult. It is important to not leave the paint open for long periods of time to avoid drying up.
4. We recommend mix ratios between 15% to 33% powder to paint. In general, ratios with more than 33% powder to the mix don’t gain enough brighter glow to justify the cost of more glow powder. Examples:
   • 20% = 1:5 = 1 oz. Powder to 5 oz. Medium
   • 25% = 1:4 = 1 oz. Powder to 4 oz. Medium
   • 33% = 1:3 = 1 oz. Powder to 3 oz. Medium
   • 33% = 1:3 = 42 oz. Powder to 1 gallon (128 fl. oz.) Medium
   • Generally, the higher the ratio of glow in the dark powder to medium, the brighter the glow and potentially a longer glow. Testing different ratio's are recommended for commercial and manufacturing purposes. Multiple layers always enhance the glow. If possible, we suggest using plastic, ceramic, or glass mixing containers and utensils.
   • For resin and epoxy the 20% ratio works well. Pigment will settle to the bottom leaving you with a nice clear top that can be sanded and buffed to your liking.
5. Carefully mix the glow in the dark powder with the paint or resin medium.
6. You can either add powder to paint or paint to powder. If you place the powder in the mixing container first and then begin adding paint until you achieve the glow and consistency you need, you will have greater control. Starting with the paint in the mixing container and adding your estimate of the required pigment also works just fine. For small quantities, stir the pigment and the medium with a wood or plastic stir stick (coffee stir stick, chopstick, skewer, or the end of an artist’s paint brush). For larger quantities, using a power drill and a paint mixer available from a local hardware store. The power drill will allow for thorough mixing/stirring at higher speeds. Mixing two different colored pigments together does not usually get the desired result or work out well. Be careful not to grind the glow powder as it will cause the glow to be reduced, and may lead to the pigment deteriorating and not taking a charge. If the paint becomes too thick to apply, you can add a small amount of water or flow extender available from us or at a local building store.
7. Apply multiple thin coats of paint (3-4 mil). Many folks have had good success applying 3-5 coats. Stir and/or shake the paint thoroughly before applying. Paint can be applied with brush, roller or paint sponge. Paint can be applied with paint sprayer, providing it is less viscous or has been thinned with an extender product. For small areas, you may be able to reduce the time between coat applications by using a hair dryer on the first couple coats. After that you should allow the paint coats to cure naturally. If you have some paint remaining, you can use the container lid or cover the container with clear plastic wrap from your kitchen. It is also good to label the cup with a marker because in the light, there is little difference in the color between several of the pigments.

Product Identification
Commercial Product Name: Photoluminescent Pigment 

Composition/Components Information
Characterization: Strontium Aluminate
Contains: Content (Weight %):60~ 100%
CAS-No: 12004-37-4

Identification of Eventual Hazards
Critical Hazards to Man and Environment: None.

Measures of First Aid
After Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. Generally, no affection to one’s health.
Eye Contact: Flush with water.
Skin Contact: Harmless.
Swallowing: Flush the mouth with water. Call a physician.

Measures in Case of Fire
Product is not inflammable and not explosive.

Measures after Spillage or Accidental Leakage
Transfer material into closed containers (such as plastic, ceramic, glass not metal) by using absorption materials for disposal.

Handling and Storage
Store dry under indoor conditions. Keep containers tightly closed. Use mechanical ventilation. Avoid contacting with dust, acid, alkali and rain. Do not eat and drink while handling.

Check of Individual Exposition/Protection
Industrial Hygiene: Do not eat, drink or smoke in work areas.
Personal Protective Equipment: Respiratory protection protective gloves.

Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical State: Solid powder.
Color: Yellow, Green, Blue Green, Red, Pink, Orange or Yellow.
Odor: None.
Melting Point: 2400°F
Flash Point/Ignition: N/A
PH-Value: 11-12
Burning Properties: N/A
Density: 3.6-3.9 g/cm3
Solubility in Water: Little soluble.
Solubility in Organic Solvents: Not soluble.

Stability and Reactivity Thermal
Decomposition: None
Hazard Decomposition Products: None
Hazard Reactions: None

Information on Toxicity
The pigment is safe as it contains NO radioactive or toxic materials.
A Radiation: Specific activity (Bq/g) < 0.032
B Radiation: Specific activity (Bq/g) < 0.03

Information on Ecological Effects
Pigment is chemically and biological inert. As it does not contain soluble heavy metals, the product does not cause ecological or toxicological problems like other compounds containing heavy metals.

Information Concerning Disposal 
Pigment can be one of additives and added into many medium, such as coat, paint, ink plastic, glass, ceramic etc. Pigment can repeatedly absorb energy and emit visible light for over 20 years without any perceivable change of its properties.

Information concerning Transport
Dangerous Good in the Sense of the Transport Regulations: NO.

Information Concerning Regulations
Labeling According to EEC Directives: None.

This is a glow in the dark product that facilitates safety through visibility.

Further Information
This information, which describe our products as to possible security requirements, is based on the present state of our knowledge and experience. It is given in good faith, but no warranty, expressed or implied, in respect of the quality and properties of our product are made.

This material safety data sheet (MSDS) has been prepared in compliance with United States Federal OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200. This product is considered to be a non-hazardous substance under that standard.

What is Photoluminescence?
Photoluminescent materials (commonly called “glow-in-the-dark”) can absorb and store direct light energy (sunlight, fluorescent, incandescent, etc.) and emit that light energy when there is no longer a direct light source. When ambient darkness occurs, it becomes highly visible, lasting from a few hours to several days depending on the quality and color.
Upon removal of the light source, the stored light is gradually released, the strongest glow is produced during the first 30 minutes of darkness, the most critical period following a power failure or other emergency. It then fades over a period until reintroduced a direct light source, so it may store energy again. This means the photo luminescence process is “circulatory”.
The bases of most photo luminescent products are photo luminescent pigments that can be incorporated into powder coat, paint, ink, fabric, ceramic glaze or porcelain enamel, glass, flexible and rigid molded plastics. Typical products include self-adhesive flexible vinyl tapes, rigid PVC marker strips, and silk-screened signage. Photo luminescent fabric, enamel-coated sheet metal, and ceramic tiles are also available.

How bright are these glow products?
Many manufacturers refer to the extinction time of their products, which is defined as the time required for the afterglow to diminish to one masb (0.032 mcd/m2, or about 100 times the limit of human perception). In practice, this is very difficult to see unless your eyes are fully dark-adapted, and you are in a completely dark environment.
For practical purposes, luminance of one to two millicandela’s per square meter are more appropriate limits for life safety applications, and even this assumes a smoke-free environment. Thus, zinc sulphide products are useful for perhaps only 30 to 45 minutes after their excitation source has been extinguished. The afterglow of strontium aluminate products, on the other hand, can be visible for several days, sometimes more. All Techno Glow powders are strontium aluminate based unless otherwise specified.
Strontium aluminate products can provide surprising amounts of initial afterglow. For example, a four-inch square of excited material held a few inches away from a magazine page can provide enough light to read by for the first minute or so of afterglow. Micro-prismatic retro reflectors and other brightness enhancing techniques can increase the materials luminance by several times.

Can Photoluminescent products replace traditional emergency lighting?
Light lead photoluminescent materials were originally designed to complement existing emergency lighting systems but continuous improvements in luminance performance mean that in certain circumstances, such as a power outage, high quality photoluminescent products may replace emergency lighting. They can be sited at waist or skirting level, so they can still function if the ceiling lights become obscured by smoke. Similarly, lifesaving appliances and firefighting equipment become more visible and are easily located in an emergency. Some emergency lighting can take up to 15 seconds to activate. In these instances, photoluminesce products will light up immediately.

How do the materials work?
Techno Glow photo luminescent materials contain purpose designed inorganic phosphor compounds that are energized in seconds by the ultra violet and blue light wavelength energy that is present in nearly all light sources. This high-energy source is converted into a lower energy source of light. The lower energy light source is yellow-green, the color most readily perceived by the human eye and as specified by safety signs standards. Techno Glow photo luminescent materials are non-radioactive, non-toxic, and provide a strong light source. They are also self-extinguishing, so they carry on working when they are most needed.
Photo luminescent materials differ from reflective materials, which amplify and increase relative brightness when light is applied. Fluorescent materials are quite different from photoluminescent materials. Fluorescent materials (such as the 3M fluorescent work zone film or a “hot pink” tag) borrow light energy in nearby wavelengths and concentrate the amount of light returning to the viewer in a certain (for example, day-glow orange) wavelength. Fluorescent films are especially useful in dawn and dusk viewing times, when they appear particularly bright. Photoluminescent materials require prior exposure to a light source to glow in the dark.

Is it environmentally friendly?
Photo luminescent materials are non-toxic, non-radioactive and contain no phosphorus, lead, or any other hazardous chemicals.