Whats wrong with tin foil?

wheeelerd

Active Member
Everybody i speak to tells me to stay away from foil but why? the chrome like mylar is surely just like tin foil? isit really that bad for your plants? i made a reflector out of tin foil for my 250 watt hps is that a bad move?

nice one
 

Kialhimself

Well-Known Member
you could use tine foil on the dim side but I still wouldn't advise it, unless you want fried ganja, invest in some mylar you can get it cheap online or on the other hand paint your area plain white this is always a good reflector!


:peace: - Skinz
 

ideit

Well-Known Member
Because foil is less reflective than flat white paint is, and can burn the plants with hotspots.

Reflectivity:

Aluminum Foil: < 55% (< 35% if creased)
Flat White Paint: 75-85%
White Plastic (Panda/Poly): 75-90%
Mylar: 92-97% (It looks like a mirror)

Check eBay, you can pick up a decent amount of mylar for under $35 i believe

(Source: GROWFAQ)
 

ideit

Well-Known Member
That link in my above post should answer all your questions

This excerpt is from that link regarding emergency blankets:

It is not very effective at reflecting light because it is so thin. ... And while it is reflects nearly 90% of radiant heat energy, it is only able to reflect around 70% of the light.
It'll reflect a little light, and a lot of heat, not a great combo, but they are cheap...

Go with flat white paint (not glossy) or mylar

Mylar really is the best there is, and it's not that expensive, just check ebay.
 

MaryJaneDoe

Well-Known Member
I got all the mylar I could use off of the plants that people leave at the cemetery. I left the plants but took all the mylar. It works great. Most all those "Gift" plants have it wrapped around them. If you look for it you see it every where. The proctor of the cemetery just throws it all away. and he did look at me a bit funny, but hey it didn't go to the trash and I'm using it now. I'm CHEAP!
 

Kialhimself

Well-Known Member
I got all the mylar I could use off of the plants that people leave at the cemetery. I left the plants but took all the mylar. It works great. Most all those "Gift" plants have it wrapped around them. If you look for it you see it every where. The proctor of the cemetery just throws it all away. and he did look at me a bit funny, but hey it didn't go to the trash and I'm using it now. I'm CHEAP!
ummmm.... wow thats low stealing of peoples graves o_O
 

Dirtyboy

Well-Known Member
I got all the mylar I could use off of the plants that people leave at the cemetery. I left the plants but took all the mylar. It works great. Most all those "Gift" plants have it wrapped around them. If you look for it you see it every where. The proctor of the cemetery just throws it all away. and he did look at me a bit funny, but hey it didn't go to the trash and I'm using it now. I'm CHEAP!
WOW.......................... Thats crazy.
 

Johnnyorganic

Well-Known Member
I got all the mylar I could use off of the plants that people leave at the cemetery. I left the plants but took all the mylar. It works great. Most all those "Gift" plants have it wrapped around them. If you look for it you see it every where. The proctor of the cemetery just throws it all away. and he did look at me a bit funny, but hey it didn't go to the trash and I'm using it now. I'm CHEAP!
ummmm.... wow thats low stealing of peoples graves o_O
I don't know if I would call it stealing, especially if the item is being discarded. I'm okay with the recycling.

It is worth the trouble? Mylar is not expensive.
 

MaryJaneDoe

Well-Known Member
I walk my dogs at the cemetery every single day. I pick up other peoples trash, beer cans and yes their dog crap etc... I am extremely aware of how taboo some people think it is. I pick up trinkets, love notes etc. that have fallen over or blown away and put them right where they belong. I take water jugs with me and I water those plants that are left there long after the people have left them so they stay beautiful for a long time.I feel like I've gotten to know them. I know it's weird to some, but that's the way I am. Karma, you have to put in and take out.
 

Phrasty

Well-Known Member
I walk my dogs at the cemetery every single day. I pick up other peoples trash, beer cans and yes their dog crap etc... I am extremely aware of how taboo some people think it is. I pick up trinkets, love notes etc. that have fallen over or blown away and put them right where they belong. I take water jugs with me and I water those plants that are left there long after the people have left them so they stay beautiful for a long time.I feel like I've gotten to know them. I know it's weird to some, but that's the way I am. Karma, you have to put in and take out.
to each their own, cant knock you there.

As for the closest thing to mylar, I buy the silver wrapping paper and use the back of it thats all silver. U can get it in 3 or 4 foot rolls for about 3-8 bucks! easy as that.

Cheers
 

dknob

New Member
Hilarious - this is hands down the best way to do it. lol

I got all the mylar I could use off of the plants that people leave at the cemetery. I left the plants but took all the mylar. It works great. Most all those "Gift" plants have it wrapped around them. If you look for it you see it every where. The proctor of the cemetery just throws it all away. and he did look at me a bit funny, but hey it didn't go to the trash and I'm using it now. I'm CHEAP!
 

wonta

Active Member
To put it in as little words as possible it just gives shitty reflection. But we all have to work within our budget so what ever you choose just maje it do what it do.
 

High4Life

Well-Known Member
Ive seen people use emergency blankets , Ive seen people using c,mas paper i think its malar (quote me ) .

White paint works great .

Plane White mylar works best for me .

The silver ribbed mylar looks better and works good .

Tin can burn your plants and buds making hot spots like mirrors ive seen people try to use . both is more hassle than its worth .

Cheapo just go for white paint 2 coats can be as good as mylar . Id use it only the mylars to stop light leaks also

:joint:
 

silverstyle

Active Member
the white drawer liner from walmart is 2.88 (gotta love those odd number prices) a roll for a massive amount (for my size, that is...), i forget exactly but I think its over 18" by 25'...seems to work quite well for reflection.

I went to find emergency blankets at walmart today but couldn't...in camping/fishing or first aid...so I simply will stick with the white liner, from the posts above, it sounds like that might be the most efficient option at the moment anyway.
 
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