Reflection!

[King Collie]

what can i use for reflection in my cupboard?
i have been previously told that i should use mylar or flat white paint. I live in africa and could not fined these paints?
Can u guys maybe be more specific ? The paint should be 100 % white right?
should it be enamel or agrylic based?just tell me what it should be made off maybe i can find it like that? please guys i am lost and i wanna start my mission a.s.a.p . Can i maybe use ordinary kicthen foil and how does it intervere with the temperature etc ?

thx

[PH4Sheezy]

Well you could always try the aluminum foil approach, but put the dull side towards the plant, for the simple fact that the bright luster on the other side sucks up light. O, and there's a way that you can construct reflectors around your lights from a coke can...

[King Collie]

is aliminum (spelling argh) foil ordinary kicthen foil? and the dull side is the side that doesnt flicker right? what percentage does foil reflect close to 100 %? and what about paint and how does the foil effect the heat distribution?
PLEASE REPLY!!!! PLZ!

[PH4Sheezy]

Ok, yes the dull side does not soak up the light like the shiny side would. You can use just plain ole' Reynolds wrap, man. To deal with all the heat, you can install a small fan to circulate the air, plus it helps the plant. Stark white paint is the best, I do think. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.)

[Razer]

Here are the percentages on reflectivity according to the Indoor Grower's Bible...

Foylon 94-95
Reflective Mylar 90-95
Flat White Paint 85-93
Semi-Gloss White 75-80
Flat Yellow 70-80
Aluminum Foil 70-75

The real point though is how many lumens are getting reflected. The material most be close to plants to make much difference. Light diminishes exponentially by distance. 100% at 1 foot is about 25% at 2 feet and under 10% at 3 feet. So if the light has far to travel to your reflective surface and back to the plant, it becomes ineffective. Bright to your eye does not translate to bright to the plant. Useful lumens is the key. :cool:

[Razer]

My mistake, the reference should be to Indoor Marijuana Horticulture.

Peace and Pot as the prince of pot says. :cool:

[Tech]

No point getting light to a plant that hasn,t sprouted , when its under the soil its dark day and night .

I don,t know what shops you have in your country but you need a the sort of shop that you would go to if you where doing home improvements.
Either get thin board which is white on one side or just buy some undercoat (primer) this will be flat wight, It comes in emulsion or oil based.
The emulsion is water based and is quick drying and nicer to use with less mess.
Disco.

[King Collie]

so ley me get this right.
if i go to the DIY shop i must ask the guy for undercoat paint that is emulsion based riiiiiiiiiight? is it neccsary to say its a primer (i dont know fuckol bout paints).and foylon which is most reflective , is that a kind of paint to? so all and all u guys would say that paint is a beter option then foil cause of heat and reflection capabilities?

[GoDoFwEEd]

i use aluminum foil and it has sprouted in one day since i planted the seeds and it is 2" already

[311junkie]

i dunno if you have ever seen those survival blankets, but they are really shiny sheets of something. you can get them at any outdoor store. just ask for a survival blanket. they are in little packages not more then 4x4 inches. they seem to work well