Mylar V.S. Paint

So I am starting my second 8x4x4 grow box and my first one turned out great the only problem I ran into was that I lined the inside with mylar which wasn't that cheap and I would end up tearing little rips in it throughtout my grow and now it looks like shit. I'm probably just going to go with a white high gloss paint on the inside for the next one. Is there a lot of difference in light reflection between mylar and paint? Any downfalls? and not to mention I'll have 1600w in a 8X4X4 box so light reflection isn't a big issue.

Inthesmoke said:

I'm probably just going to go with a white high gloss paint on the inside for the next one.

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Use FLAT white paint.

There is a difference but if you keep ripping the Mylar, and of course it is not cheap to begin with, with each rip you lose a little efficiency and FLAT white paint is highly reflective so don’t worry about what will be lost, it won’t be a TON or anything and it will last and last and last and is cheap.

Cool thanks man

you probably used the 1 millimeter thick mylar... that stuff tears very easily..... try the 2 millimeter thick mylar and where you use tacks to hold it up... put duct tape on both side of that area first...it will not tear

I get mine on ebay...25 ft of 2 mil is $28.85 http://cgi.ebay.com/4-x-25-2-Mill-Mylar-Reflective-Film-Hydroponics-Mil_W0QQitemZ200305833127QQcmdZViewItemQQptZHydroponics_Seed_Starting?hash=item200305833127&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1205|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50


I have used the same mylar for 2 years, alot of grows

vapedg13 said:

you probably used the 1 millimeter thick mylar... that stuff tears very easily..... try the 2 millimeter thick mylar and where you use tacks to hold it up... put duct tape on both side of that area first...it will not tear

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I have never used Mylar so I do not know how well it works but I have known of a few people that have glued it to the walls of cabinets and closets like wallpaper. I think that is a mistake because if you still damage it then it is harder to replace but they said because it is so firm to the wall there is less damage.

I also question if it is porous or rough enough for the glue to hold well and keep holding but I have known just a few people who did it and they ‘claimed’ it works.

Personally I won’t be trying it myself but if someone wants to use it they might consider it.

i am i first time grower i have a 70 watt hps and i got mine painted all i can say is that shits bright i am also a painter and white paint will snowblind your ass dont look at them to long may be the last time you see em jk

i went from mylar to paint and will never go back. if it gets dirty just throw on another coat. plus it's hella brighter.

Haha "Hella" from nor cal too bro. Thanks for the advice.

I like the Ultraflect stuff. There are many names and brands. Sunleaves makes some good stuff. It's basically a thin tough fabric with a metalized surface. It has a diffusion pattern built into it. So while it reflects 97% of visible light and infrared, it also eliminates hot spots. I put mine up with 3M spray adhesive. But if it's not covered in reflective stuff, it's flat white for sure. Even the floor.

i'd do paint if i were to redo this.

I used caulk to stick my mylar up.Worked like a charm.I had painted the rooms with white paint but ended up putting mylar up anyways.Paint 80% reflective,,mylar 97%.I'll take the 17% extra.Just might make that 1 bud bigger

mylar is great when i is new paint is tough as hell last a long time no wrinkles...