Reflective Paint

For painting safety signs outdoors, a special kind of paint is used which is known as reflective paint. But the use of reflective paint is not just limited to painting signs. Nowadays many interior designers and architects, use this paint in homes and offices in a unique and creative way. Before we can discuss the uses of this paint, we have to know what exactly is reflective paint. Reflective paint is made up of tiny glass spheres mixed in the paint which has the ability to reflect light. This is very important for road safety as it makes it possible for motorists to distinguish between various road signs. It is of two types. One is where the glass spheres or beads are already mixed with the paint and the other is where the glass spheres are sprayed on the paint after a normal coat of paint has been applied.

Types of Reflective Paint and Its Application
Reflective paint also known as glow in the dark paint, that is used for road safety signs are light reflective paint. These are basically yellow colored paint that is sprayed on with a coating of glass spheres or beads. Light reflective paint can also be used in indicators of machine equipment in factories. It has been seen that using them for indicators in machine equipment, greatly helps to reduce instances of accidents and any other mishaps. Another kind of reflective paint is heat reflective paint. As the name suggests, heat reflective paint, reflects heat away from the surface on which it is applied. This helps to lower the temperature of the place on which the exterior painting is done. This is very useful for controlling the temperature of homes and offices in places where the climate is extremely hot.

The hollow glass beads that are present in the heat reflective paint as well as its unique chemical formula, when applied on walls or roofs, it deflects the suns rays. It reflects back the ultraviolet rays away from the surface on which the paint has been applied, helping to lower the temperature of the building considerably. This type of paint is very useful for those housing projects in hot climates that have a metal roofing system. A metal roof absorbs a lot of heat, which makes the temperature inside the building almost unbearable. A coat of light reflective paint on the metal roof, will lower the temperature down to a great extent. It also helps to cut down energy bills of the house, since air conditioners and ceiling fans do not have to be used as much.

White reflective paint is a type of reflective paint that comes in white pigment color. It is used in some places instead of the conventional yellow colored reflective paint for road safety signs. It also finds widespread application for painting houses and roofs. It reflects maximum amount of sunlight, keeping the building cool. A disadvantage of using white reflective paint in buildings is that it is prone to yellowing. This paint coating can last up to 10 - 12 years when it is applied to walls and roofs. They can also be used for decorating bikes and motorcycles. Some people even use them in their cars and for number plates.

Reflective paints can be applied on almost any surface and as you have seen it is very useful for lowering the temperature of buildings and for painting road safety signs. Read paint reviews before purchasing them.