A high-quality glow in the dark paint can help you enjoy a night in with friends and family, as well as give an exotic look to an object of choice. Have you been searching for a new way to impress your neighbors? Or maybe just a fun way to show off your love for the holidays?
Investing in a good glow in the dark paint for outdoor use is a fantastic way to express your artistic gifts, and liven up the environment. Unlike traditional glow in the dark paints, these are thick, durable, and specifically made to be able to withstand the harsh outdoor elements. So, not only can they help bring festive vibes to an otherwise dull space, but they also carry long lasting qualities, and are waterproof, weather-resistant, and chargeable under direct sunlight.
While there are lots of glow in the dark paints on the market, very few of them are actually worth spending your hard-earned money on. In the following guide we’re going to go over the 10 best glow in the dark paints for outdoor use, and some considerations to make before your purchase.
Can You Buy Glow in the Dark Paint for Outdoors?
While many of you are probably most familiar with traditional glow-in-the-dark paints designed for fabrics, as well as the face or body. You might be surprised to discover that there are a variety of paints that glow in the dark and can be safely applied for outdoor use as well.
These sorts of paints are crafted with weatherproof properties, making them less susceptible to moisture generated from rain or snow. And are also chargeable by sunlight and come in many different forms. Including creamy or fluid paint, gel paint, powder paint, brush-on, spray paint, and even paint markers.
They can also be acrylic-based or oil-based, both of which are water-resistant when fully cured. So long as you purchase a glow in the dark paint that checks off these boxes and is stable both during the day and night time. You’re well on your way to successfully illuminating your outdoor space for years to come.
Why Use Glow in the Dark Paint Outdoors?
There are numerous reasons why somebody might choose to use glow in the dark paint for the outdoors, but you can find great use for them with any party, event, or festivity. Such as for vibrant holidays like Halloween, or Christmas, or even kids birthday parties and decorations.
These paints typically come in a variety of colours, types, and even look great during the day time, depending on the qualities they hold. Take into account that certain glow in the dark paints will appear fluorescent or neon during the day, while others are clear and some translucent with just a hint of color.
That being said, any quality glow in the dark paint can be safely applied on walls, aluminum, canvas, paper, fabric, rocks, steel, or wood. With one fluid ounce of paint covering approximately 3 square feet of primed surface that can stay lit anywhere from 1-2 hours, to all night long. However, you will likely need to apply anywhere from 2-5 layers of paint for a more even and solid glow that’s going to last.
10 Best Glow in the Dark Paints for Outside Use
1. Rust-Oleum Specialty Spray Paint 
Rust-Oleum’s Specialty Spray Paint is an incredibly durable glow in the dark paint that works effectively on ceramic, wood, metal, drywall, plastic, and a variety of other surfaces. It’s an oil-based alternative that provides unbeatable glow power for reliable visibility at nighttime, and fully dries in 24 hours.
Creating a perfect glow that can last 4-8 hours under ideal circumstances. Beyond all else, Rust-Oleum’s Specialty Spray Paint is stronger and brighter than most other options on the market and is ideal for both functional and decorative purposes.
Rustoleum Specialty Glow In The Dark Luminous Latex Paint 
Alternatively, Rust-Oleum also offers a superior latex paint that not only dries fast, but also stays lit for hours, and can be safely applied to any metal, wood, or drywall surface in or outside of your home.
2. FolkArt glow in the dark paint 
FolkArt is another renowned brand that offers a variety of quality outdoor paints, not the least of which includes their trusted glow in the dark application. It’s an incredibly versatile acrylic paint that comes in an easy to use 8 oz bottle, and is thick and creamy in texture, meaning that it will apply smoothly for remarkable coverage.
Beyond this, FolkArt’s Glow in the Dark Acrylic Paint is acid-neutral, water-based, and non-toxic. Meaning that not only is it safe to use, but it’s also easy to clean. Making it undoubtedly one of the best glow in the dark paints for outdoor use.
3. Mixing Glow in the Dark Powder with Exterior Paint or Varnish 
Another remarkable option is Art ‘N Glow’s Mixing Glow in the Dark Powder, which not only comes in 6 vibrant color variations, but is also inexpensive and easy to apply. Each order comes with 1 ounce of coated strontium aluminate glow powder that is bright, long lasting, and convenient to use.
Each package is resealable and made with phosphorescent crystals that range anywhere from 30 to 50 microns depending on the color. Making it perfect for general craft projects such as resin/epoxy, paintings, murals, glass blowing, wax, jewelry and more.
Once applied the powder stays lit for up to 12 hours, can be recharged millions of times, and is made with naturally occurring rare earth aluminates that are non-toxic and non-radioactive. Plus, if you’re still not satisfied after purchase, Art ‘N Glow offers a 30 day money-back guarantee for all their products.
4. Aurora Glow in The Dark Paint by SpaceBeams 
The Aurora Glow in the Dark Paint by SpaceBeams is another spectacular choice for anybody in the market for a strong, vibrant, and easy to use water-based application. It’s stunning Green Fluorescence offers an off-white/cream color during the day time, and glows all night with just a 10 second light charge.
Also, all of SpaceBeams glow in the dark paints use top-grade pigments in a durable and ultra-adhesive acrylic solution that can be reliably applied on a wide range of surfaces. Plus, since it’s entirely water-based, this glow in the dark paint is non-toxic, non-flammable and safe to use both inside and outside of your home.
5. Extremely Bright by Midnight Glo 
Another amazing alternative is the Extremely Bright glow in the dark paint by Midnight Glo. It’s a long lasting phosphorescent paint that is extraordinarily bright, and charges efficiently under direct sunlight (or with a black light). It’s also made with non-toxic premium acrylic properties that dry clear and are nearly invisible on lighter surfaces. Plus, it carries world-class adhesion that can be swiftly applied to most surfaces, and can be safely used in or outside of your home.
6. DecoArt Glow-in-The-Dark Paint 
DecoArt’s Glow in the Dark Paint is a wonderful alternative as it can be used on any fabric, wood, plastic, paper, styrofoam, or ceramic surface, and dries incredibly fast. It’s one-step application process is convenient as well, and the paint recharges quickly with exposure to light. Beyond this, it’s also non-toxic, and one of the more affordable glow in the dark paints on the market. All things considered, it’s an easy to use alternative that is effective and inexpensive.
7. Magicfly Glow in The Dark Paint 
The Magicfly Glow in the Dark Paint offers an amazingly long-lasting luminous formula that ensures that each colour not only glows for hours on end, but also absorbs light accurately. All of Magicfly’s glow in the dark paints use non-toxic materials that are safe for everyone, and this particular paint set comes with 10 different colours. Including red, pink, purple, blue, sky blue, green, orange, yellow, white, and neutral.
Making it easily one of the more versatile paints on the market. Plus, the Magicfly original high-quality paint shaker design successfully prevents leakage and overuse, and is easier to control the dosage than other brands of bottles. All in all, Magicfly’s Glow in the Dark Paint offers some undeniable advantages over its competitors.
8. Individuall Glow in the Dark Paint 
Another tremendous choice is the Glow in the Dark Paint provided by Individuall. It’s a neon acrylic paint that charges incredibly fast under direct sunlight, and can be reliably used on almost any surface. Each set comes with eight 20 ml bottles of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, and white glow in the dark paints. And offers strong pigmentation allowing for this paint to be seen in daylight, and glow even brighter in darker environments once fully charged.
9. GLO-X Glow In The Dark Spray Paint
GLO-X’s Glow in the Dark Spray Paint is undeniably one of the best alternatives for metal and plastic surfaces, offering some of the most innovative technology on the market. It’s an incredibly powerful acrylic-based glow light and paint that can be used for a variety of purposes, and allows for up to 12 hours of illumination. Plus, it also offers unlimited recharges under natural or powered light sources, and glows extremely bright once charged correctly.
10. Krylon Glow Spray Paint 
Rounding out our list of the 10 best glow in the dark paints for outdoor use is the Krylon Glow Spray Paint. This application offers high night visibility, making it ideal for bikes, sporting equipment, and camping gear, as well as holiday decorations, costumes, porches, railings, and more.
It also carries one of the quicker drying times (15 minutes), and offers a white hue that is visible during the day, but incredibly vibrant at night. It also comes in 4 different colors (white, green, orange, and pink), and is remarkably easy to use, and inexpensive to purchase.
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.