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Paint or reflective material?

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Waterlab420

Member
So I'm building a space in my closet 28"w X 38"l X 70"h. Gonna be one plant with scrog, running mars ii led light. The walls are painted white right now, wondering if I should put reflective material or leave them white?
 
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sub

Member
I would go with Panda Film or something similar. Mylar is more reflective (I think 97-99%) but it degrades quickly, doesn't handle getting wet too well and is really annoying to work with. Paint is nice and easy but I personally would go for Panda Film (90%+ reflective) - it's so easy to work with, is light proof and can be cleaned, lasts a long time.
Not sure of the reflectivity of flat white paint, though. I'm sure it must vary by brand. Maybe look into that first.. it may be on par with Panda film, but I have always heard Panda Film is better.
Just my 2 cents.
 
W

Waterlab420

Member
sub said:
I would go with Panda Film or something similar. Mylar is more reflective (I think 97-99%) but it degrades quickly, doesn't handle getting wet too well and is really annoying to work with. Paint is nice and easy but I personally would go for Panda Film (90%+ reflective) - it's so easy to work with, is light proof and can be cleaned, lasts a long time.
Not sure of the reflectivity of flat white paint, though. I'm sure it must vary by brand. Maybe look into that first.. it may be on par with Panda film, but I have always heard Panda Film is better.
Just my 2 cents.
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I appreciate the input! I don't have access to panda film right now. How about the windshield reflector material? Looks comparable to grow tent material
 
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sub

Member
Hmm not sure, I've never used those, they look like Mylar, though? More durable at least. I got a huge stack of that material from Petsmart actually.. I went in and asked for those metallic shiny bags that reptiles and other things are shipped in (I beliebe that's what they told me) - they said to come back on a certain day and they handed my a huge stack of em! Could try that if you have a Petsmart near ya! They seem like the same exact material as the windshield sun blockers.
 
sanjuan

sanjuan

Member
I like Reflectix. It can be used in your car if you want. Not exactly cheap, though. Bright white flat matte paint is also good.
picture.php
 
W

Waterlab420

Member
So I started to build my room. Put window reflector on one wall. How's it look?? Do I need to do the white walls? Or just the new wood.

2wp6t5s.jpg
 
the gnome

the gnome

Active member
Veteran
plain ole flat white paint is in the top tier of reflective finishes and the cheapest
panda film, the only thing it's good for is it's black out side.
the white side is extremely bad for reflectivity, surprisingly close to zero from what Ive read.
i bought the big 70ft roll when i 1st started the indoor rodeo thing,
i still have it minus 6ft
I would go with orca if using a film type product
 
G

Granger2

Active member
Veteran
There is so little difference in the films and pure white paint in reflectivity. I went with white paint when I did my room makeover. Threw out all the 2 mil mylar. I like it a lot better, easier, wipes easy, easy installation. Good luck. -granger
 
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TheyCallMeJJay

Member
Granger2 said:
There is so little difference in the films and pure white paint in reflectivity. I went with white paint when I did my room makeover. Threw out all the 2 mil mylar. I like it a lot better, easier, wipes easy, easy installation. Good luck. -granger
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Agreed, remodeling now. I'm laying the paint with 3/8 nap for a super smooth surface. I'm also working with new drywall which is very much desirable in terms of smoothness.

Did you go with a flat or semi-gloss?
 
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Member
the gnome said:
panda film, the only thing it's good for is it's black out side.
the white side is extremely bad for reflectivity, surprisingly close to zero from what Ive read.
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Got any sources on that? That makes no sense.. Maybe the black side:p The color white is inherently reflective as it doesn't absorb much light at all (which is why we see white and not blue, green, red, etc).
I was reading a thread where I thought the guy was using a light meter to check the reflectivity (I could be wrong) but that it was about 90%+ reflective.
Not sure how that could be non-reflective but flat white paint is..

I've read in multiple places that Flat white paint has the ability to reflect between 75-85% of the light, White poly can be anywhere from 75%-90% (Panda Film I imagine is on the higher side)
Not sure where this info originated, though.. I would love some actual studies done on these materials!

But I'm sure the difference in white paint and white poly is pretty negligible... I would just go with whatever is easier. For my cab Panda Film worked out better than paint.. My first box used mylar and I don't think I'll really ever use that again.. such a hassle.
 
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EclipseFour20

EclipseFour20

aka "Doc"
Veteran
I use the brightest white paint available--high gloss, with mildew protection. Easy to clean and highly reflective--not so with films/reflective material, and zero chance of any mold growing between the wall and reflective material (I found some funky mold-like growth growing behind the foil taped to the wall).

That said, 2nd best item I found are styrofoam panels (4'x8') with a reflective foil on one side--instead of "repainting" a room white, I paneled the room with 1" thick styrofoam panels...available at Home Depot. In addition to it's insulation and reflective features...the styrofoam boards helped reduce the noise (fans). About $10 per panel.
 
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sub

Member
I've wondered about what kind of white paint, but I always heard to stay away from the high gloss white and to opt for flat white as it reflects better? Maybe it's that and disperses light better than the high gloss. I could be wrong, though, but am also interested in the reflectivity of both kinds, as well as brands, spray paint or otherwise.
I used Belton flat white spray paint (really good quality spray paint.. good for, you know... artistic endeavors outside ;) - lasts a long time and doesn't fade in sunlight as much as cheaper brands) for my door panels (in addition to the white poly) but was curious about which brands and kinds would be better.

Would love a really comprehensive study on the reflectivity of all these different materials, including different brands for each. Anyone know if such a thing exists out there?

Damn.. maybe I will buy a light meter and do it myself! I've been meaning to get a good light meter, especially since moving to LEDs.
 
W

Waterlab420

Member
Since I have white walls. I only had the new wood that I put reflective material on. Should I cover the walls also? Or will they be okay as is
 
the gnome

the gnome

Active member
Veteran
sub said:
Got any sources on that? That makes no sense.. Maybe the black side:p
Not sure where this info originated, though.. I would love some actual studies done on these materials!
Click to expand...

sorry can't pinpoint where Ive seen it.
but Ive read it more than a few times from knowledgeable people here over the last 4 yrs.
DHF is one in the last 7-8months

there's a thread that lists reflectivity of a buch of stuff and flat white paint was close to the top.
panda was down down down on the list after someone used a lite meter on it if memory serves me
crap, i forget to bookmark so many of the good threads

orca has a very hi rating for reflectivity,
it's what i would use for a film type material.
things like mylar are also very hi, but create hot and cool spots
 
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sub

Member
the gnome said:
sorry can't pinpoint where Ive seen it.
but Ive read it more than a few times from knowledgeable people here over the last 4 yrs. DHF is one in the last 7-8months
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Very interesting.. I just don't understand how that is even possible since the color white is reflective by nature, you know?
Would definitely love some proper studies on it, though.

Thanks for the info, I will have to look into this more!
 
T

TheyCallMeJJay

Member
Waterlab420 said:
So I'm building a space in my closet 28"w X 38"l X 70"h. Gonna be one plant with scrog, running mars ii led light. The walls are painted white right now, wondering if I should put reflective material or leave them white?
Click to expand...

Since your space is so small, I'd go balls out. Get the absolute best reflective material.
 
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