View Full Version : mylar vs tin foil the big question
red662
07-14-2005, 06:50 PM
i have hooked up with some old friends and discovered not only r they still smokers but, but they have great grows goin and i mean great, the proper set up 2 a t, my question is , iv heard u can use the dull side off tin foil as a substitute 4 mylar is this true? and what about linin the walls with dry wall with the reflective layer on it? would the dry wall b a waste off time and energy? and will the file work? i live in ireland so if any1 knows where 2 get mylar in this country dont b shy let me know
peace peopole thnxs 4 the help:cool:
del...
07-14-2005, 07:38 PM
there is no question about aluminum foil...lose it! it's worthless in a grow. stick with mylar or flat white paint (my preference).
hoodedclum
07-14-2005, 07:51 PM
Yeah tin foil actually absorbs more light than it reflects, your better of with a bare wall.
red662
07-14-2005, 08:40 PM
there is no question about aluminum foil...lose it! it's worthless in a grow. stick with mylar or flat white paint (my preference).thnxs 4 the input do u mean 2 paint the walls white???? mylar must have a differant name over here any ideas, but back 2 the white paint just paint the walls white any particular type o paint r anythin?thnxs again people ur help as always answers my questions....but always lead 2 another lmao.
peace
Zandor
07-14-2005, 08:44 PM
This topic belongs in the cultivation forum. Just trying to keep things clean.
To answer your question
Flat white paint. Brand in not a big deal, just use enough coats to cover the walls & ceiling.
red662
07-14-2005, 09:01 PM
6
This topic belongs in the cultivation forum. Just trying to keep things clean.
To answer your question
Flat white paint. Brand in not a big deal, just use enough coats to cover the walls & ceiling.what u said helped a lot so slap whitepaintall over thewalls and ur laughin?
Bender
07-14-2005, 09:35 PM
I used mylar for a long time and found that white paint worked just as well and was easeir to clean.;)
duppy man
07-14-2005, 10:22 PM
thnxs 4 the input do u mean 2 paint the walls white???? mylar must have a differant name over here any ideas, but back 2 the white paint just paint the walls white any particular type o paint r anythin?thnxs again people ur help as always answers my questions....but always lead 2 another lmao.
peace
no its the same name here,go along to your local Hydro shop and they will sort u out
Beeblebrox.420
07-15-2005, 02:28 AM
Yeah tin foil actually absorbs more light than it reflects, your better of with a bare wall. That is incorrect. Aluminum foil has about a 90% reflectivity (Aluminum is an excellent visible light reflector, actually. It is used to coat telescope mirrors, and with enhanced coatings can achieve >98% reflectivity). The problem is not the reflectivity, it is the lack of diffusion. The shiny side of the foil creates hot spots and dark patches, because of the smoothness of the surface - it doesn't diffuse the light, the way white walls do. The dull side is a little better (depending on brand - if you cannot see a clear reflection of yourself in it, it's suitable), and will do if you have absolutely nothing else available. But, Mylar is better in the long run, and it is also more durable. Foil tears very easily.
Flat white paint is the very best, as Zandor says, since it completely avoids hotspots and it can have as high as a 92% reflectivity, give or take.
hoodedclum
07-15-2005, 10:55 AM
That is incorrect. Aluminum foil has about a 90% reflectivity (Aluminum is an excellent visible light reflector, actually. It is used to coat telescope mirrors, and with enhanced coatings can achieve >98% reflectivity). The problem is not the reflectivity, it is the lack of diffusion. The shiny side of the foil creates hot spots and dark patches, because of the smoothness of the surface - it doesn't diffuse the light, the way white walls do. The dull side is a little better (depending on brand - if you cannot see a clear reflection of yourself in it, it's suitable), and will do if you have absolutely nothing else available. But, Mylar is better in the long run, and it is also more durable. Foil tears very easily.
Flat white paint is the very best, as Zandor says, since it completely avoids hotspots and it can have as high as a 92% reflectivity, give or take.
thanks for correcting me beeblebrox, i guess i should research what im gonna post a little more in future :rolleyes:
duppy man
07-15-2005, 08:58 PM
I stick with mylor Mods the guy who i take advice off owns a hydro centre and is very well up to date with growing, mylar he said is the best reflective material made, with over 98% reflectivity
red662
07-15-2005, 10:37 PM
i found a shop in town sells mylar 5euro a square mtr, but seein as white paint is been given the tumbs up from the mods ill stick with that after all they know a lot bout this stuff thnxs again peeps as always very insitefull.
Zandor
07-16-2005, 12:09 AM
I stick with mylor Mods the guy who i take advice off owns a hydro centre and is very well up to date with growing, mylar he said is the best reflective material made, with over 98% reflectivity
dont get me wrong...I use Mylar in every room and cabinet I have. The next best thing IMO is the panda plastic black on one side white on the other, then flat white paint.
Beeblebrox.420
07-16-2005, 02:13 AM
Nah, aluminized Mylar isn't THAT reflective. The data I've seen suggest between 90 and 95% reflectivity, depending on quality, which is still pretty damn good. 98% or better reflectivity is only achievable with special 1/4 wave optical coatings, which wouldn't hold up well on the Mylar.
duppy man
07-16-2005, 10:12 PM
cool so you paint the white side in white emulsuion and that adds to the reflective qualities I must tell him, as the Mylar he sells is matt white on one side anyway, I never though off painting it I thought it was ok the way it was
monstermunchies
07-17-2005, 12:08 AM
could white cartridge paper work as a reflector?
duppy man
07-22-2005, 10:59 PM
monster..it might but i would not waste a penny on it.........Mylar is in my opinion the best reflective material that is available at the mo. and im pretty sure 99.99% that these guy's who supply it know better than most people on this site as they do it as a job and make a very good living at it, results speak for themselves
ps we cannot know all things,,,,,know what I mean
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