Reflective Material

HatlessCow

Active Member
Now I know aluminum is a cheap way to reflect a little more light onto your plants, but I've seen a completely reflective mirror type paper or sheeting can anyone tell me what that is or what the best thing to use for reflective walling would be?

thanks:blsmoke:
 

Zypher

Well-Known Member
Now I know aluminum is a cheap way to reflect a little more light onto your plants, but I've seen a completely reflective mirror type paper or sheeting can anyone tell me what that is or what the best thing to use for reflective walling would be?

thanks:blsmoke:

o wow, theres mylar, reflective duct tape, theres flat white paint. super white paint. GLOSSy paint does NOT reflect more than the other 2.
 

Zypher

Well-Known Member
Grow shops in your area? I'm not exactly sure about ur location....Google is your best friend tho :D
 

TeaTreeOil

Well-Known Member
Reflective Mylar is just a very thin layer of highly specular(mirror-like) aluminum on plastic(PET, polyester) fiber. Specular reflection is actually reflectivity according to the law of reflectivity where the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflectance.

Flat white paint has negligible specular reflectivity. It is a highly diffuse surface which scatters light omnidirectionally off the surface. This means less target lux(lumens per area), as it's the same energy, but spread over much more area.

Aluminized Mylar has very little diffuse reflection, less than 25%, typically. Conventional aluminum foil is 'balanced' @ around 50% diffuse. Both are around 90% specular(visible light) when polished, as both are aluminum.

Diffuse and specular reflectivity are not proportional to one another by any means. Many materials can be highly efficient at producing both types, like aluminum. Also enamels and powder coats(most white reflectors).

Not many people seem to mention this, but reflective Mylar is combustible and will burn rapidly when/if ignited. Pure(or nearly) aluminum(like most foils) do not burn. And Mylar is certainly more likely to create 'hot spots'. Just as mirrors can cause hot spots.

Mylar isn't intended to be around high heat sources(over 150F), keep that in mind. The bulb temp of a HID lamp could easily melt or possibly ignite it.
 

Xan2

Well-Known Member
Yeah It's also called "Black&White Poly" The Panda film is sold in roll of 10'x100' for about 90$.... can also be sold per foot....
 

HatlessCow

Active Member
Ya I wouldn't be needing nearly that much, right now I'm only using flouros so heat is no issue.
right now I'm just using my little grow set up to get my babies started I've got two 24" flouros but I'm planning on getting a 1000 watt hps and building a little housing for my grow-op.

Would a 1000 watt hps burn or melt the mylar?
 

M Blaze

Well-Known Member
Reflective Mylar is just a very thin layer of highly specular(mirror-like) aluminum on plastic(PET, polyester) fiber. Specular reflection is actually reflectivity according to the law of reflectivity where the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflectance.

Flat white paint has negligible specular reflectivity. It is a highly diffuse surface which scatters light omnidirectionally off the surface. This means less target lux(lumens per area), as it's the same energy, but spread over much more area.

Aluminized Mylar has very little diffuse reflection, less than 25%, typically. Conventional aluminum foil is 'balanced' @ around 50% diffuse. Both are around 90% specular(visible light) when polished, as both are aluminum.

Diffuse and specular reflectivity are not proportional to one another by any means. Many materials can be highly efficient at producing both types, like aluminum. Also enamels and powder coats(most white reflectors).

Not many people seem to mention this, but reflective Mylar is combustible and will burn rapidly when/if ignited. Pure(or nearly) aluminum(like most foils) do not burn. And Mylar is certainly more likely to create 'hot spots'. Just as mirrors can cause hot spots.

Mylar isn't intended to be around high heat sources(over 150F), keep that in mind. The bulb temp of a HID lamp could easily melt or possibly ignite it.

Great post by the way :blsmoke:
 

wildkeith

Active Member
I use an emergency blanket that I bought for 99 cents. Actually, I bought twelve of them from ebay not realizing how big they are. I only needed one :) It's made of mylar and works great. These things are meant for survival so they don't fuck around when it comes to reflectivity. I have to wear sunglasses when I look into my closet now :)
 

smoote1987

Well-Known Member
Ya I wouldn't be needing nearly that much, right now I'm only using flouros so heat is no issue.
right now I'm just using my little grow set up to get my babies started I've got two 24" flouros but I'm planning on getting a 1000 watt hps and building a little housing for my grow-op.

Would a 1000 watt hps burn or melt the mylar?
Haha no if you take the right precautions. Don't allow the bulb to directly touch anything because that would definitely stand a chance at melting plenty of things.
 
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