Mylar or Flat White Paint?
- Thread starter Bwpz
- Start date
dukethompson
Member
Mylar is the way to go, unless you can find sheet styrofoam, its the only thing more reflective than mylar.
Vindicated
Well-Known Member
I used mylar during my first indoor grow. I thought it was more hassle then what it was worth.
Biologically Incorrect
Active Member
I prefer paint, but many of my friends love the Mylar.
Why I like Paint: It is cheap. It is a lot easier to clean, and does not tear like Mylar.
Peace out
Why I like Paint: It is cheap. It is a lot easier to clean, and does not tear like Mylar.
Peace out
Dominathan
Well-Known Member
Paint all the way, my friend. Make sure to use the flat white primer, and you'll be set!
This is also what I have heard.
Another rout if you can find it is Orca Film, I am using it, I got some from my local hydro store. It is kinda pricey but I think anyone who has seen a demo of it would agree its the best of the 3. Check on youtube there are several orca film demos showing you how it works.
JerryGlass
Member
Try an emergency blanket.. Wal-mart.. 3 bucks. 
MidnightJoker
Well-Known Member
I would go with a flat white paint if you are using a grow box. It will reflect the best.
Bwpz
Well-Known Member
Anyone got an answer for this?Is this the right kinda paint?
Krylon White Primer is what it is.
jawbrodt
Well-Known Member
Um,...i think "far" is a bit extreme, don't ya think? It might have some advantages, but if i remember correctly, their reflectivity is about the same. NASA engineered mylar, specifically for reflectivity, and it works excellent, so don't be afraid to use it. They'll both perform about the same, so I'd choose whichever one would be easier to install. I wouldn't worry about hotspots either, unless you are running one hell of a light setup, in that area? Sure, i s'pose mylar has the ability to focus light, but by the time it's bounced off the wall, and back to your plant, it'll be well below the intensity needed to cause any problems. Just lay it flat, with no weird configurations, if you want to play it extra-safe. I've read thousands of posts, with peoples' problems, and have yet to ever see anyone have their plants burnt by 'hotspots', whether caused by foil, mylar, or otherwise. Personally, i think you'd have to hang a magnifying glass above your plants, to have anything to worry about.lol
Big Tasty Bud
Member
Mylar its way better than any paint , best mylar is coated on one side with anti fungal coatin
dajosh42069
Well-Known Member
Paint, and I believe brush paint is preferred to spray paint...
Biologically Incorrect
Active Member
I agree, but if all you are doing is a little grow box white primer spray paint would be sufficient.
Peace out
Peace out
I don't want to show all my cards here but out of anything on this forum, I would almost gamble that I know more about paint than anyone here, however I may not know shit about anything else haha... I have worked for a major paint company selling paint for over 10 years. I am not talking about the shit home depot sells either. If you are not going the Mylar rout or the Orca film I had suggested in one of my other posts use a standard interior or ext paint. I always hear people talking about using FLAT paint and that is fine I am sure. I would almost be willing to say any paint you buy, be it Flat, Matte, egshell/satin, semi-gloss, gloss, high gloss will all work about the same and you probably wouldn't see much difference in the plants performance from 1 sheen to the next but if you really wanna get picky about it and milk every ounce of growing potential hear me out.
I assume the reason people recommend flat is it defuses the light for a more even reflection. The higher the sheen the more focused the light can be at some points. That all being said, here is what I would recommend .....
If you are worried about mildew and shit like that get an exterior paint it has mildew preventatives in it that will help vs. the sometimes wet conditions of your grow area. I also recommend going with a Satin or Eggshell (same thing) finish instead of a Flat. My thought is Satin has a low sheen to it allowing it to reflect more light than a Flat but not so glossy as something above it to create hot spots. Also whats nice about Satin is its much more washable and resistant to marking up the wall. Now all that being said if mildew and things of that nature are not an issue or concern for you go with an interior paint.
The reason for this is usually interior paints have a brighter white base than an exterior. All companys have a standard tint base for pastel colors and another for mid tone and yet another for dark colors such as black. However there is often special colors that are even brighter than typical pastels, what could be called "Luminous" or High Reflective White.
Go to google and search
A87W00150 High Reflective White
Click the top result
This bright white base is only made in a hand full of products, I guess it could be called a special base. The paint listed above is going to be around the $40 per gallon mark due to its coverage and durability. But if you decide to go this way you can ask the person in the store. Whats the cheapest eggshell/satin High Reflective White or Luminous based paint you have? This is often a contractor series product that they maybe will cut you a break on, instead of paying for the top of the line product that they want normal retail customers to buy. Hope this helps.
Ahh something else I just thought of....That company sells sample quarts of Luminous White for under $6 in a satin finish that will cover an area of about 75sq feet. That will undoubtedly be cheaper than anything else they can provide.
I assume the reason people recommend flat is it defuses the light for a more even reflection. The higher the sheen the more focused the light can be at some points. That all being said, here is what I would recommend .....
If you are worried about mildew and shit like that get an exterior paint it has mildew preventatives in it that will help vs. the sometimes wet conditions of your grow area. I also recommend going with a Satin or Eggshell (same thing) finish instead of a Flat. My thought is Satin has a low sheen to it allowing it to reflect more light than a Flat but not so glossy as something above it to create hot spots. Also whats nice about Satin is its much more washable and resistant to marking up the wall. Now all that being said if mildew and things of that nature are not an issue or concern for you go with an interior paint.
The reason for this is usually interior paints have a brighter white base than an exterior. All companys have a standard tint base for pastel colors and another for mid tone and yet another for dark colors such as black. However there is often special colors that are even brighter than typical pastels, what could be called "Luminous" or High Reflective White.
Go to google and search
A87W00150 High Reflective White
Click the top result
This bright white base is only made in a hand full of products, I guess it could be called a special base. The paint listed above is going to be around the $40 per gallon mark due to its coverage and durability. But if you decide to go this way you can ask the person in the store. Whats the cheapest eggshell/satin High Reflective White or Luminous based paint you have? This is often a contractor series product that they maybe will cut you a break on, instead of paying for the top of the line product that they want normal retail customers to buy. Hope this helps.
Ahh something else I just thought of....That company sells sample quarts of Luminous White for under $6 in a satin finish that will cover an area of about 75sq feet. That will undoubtedly be cheaper than anything else they can provide.
PeacefulKid1992
Well-Known Member
I use mylar for my grow room it reflects every light to ur plant if done right.