Heres one to stump some...Zandor and Knowm...need help

[stickyinsalem]

Ok guys...i am doing a little research and no one in the regular chat rooms can help me so here it goes...
If you look up mylar on the internet...it is just plain ol plastic film...and guess what...i work where i make plastic....but we do not make reflective plastic such as the mylar you are all used to using...so here is the question...
If someone is able to use flat white paint as a reflector...(i know its not a great one) but it is still a reflector...and is kinda low on cash...would white plastic be able to be used????? i know its not a hard question to answer...but i was really wondering about this and would like some input b4 i dish out 26 on something i might have almost as good of results on with something i can get free of charge...

[iwantFUEGO]

i think a shiny white plastic will reflect just as good.
The reason people use white is because an object that apprears white contains pigments that reflect all wavelengths of light.
I've never tried it, but my guess is that a white SHINY platic will reflect very well.

[Binzhoubum]

From everything I have read and been told, if you can't afford mylar white, flat plant seems to be the best option.

I think it is more about reflecting light evenly then how much a given material reflects light. But I could be wrong.

:smokin:

[stickyinsalem]

i understand about the white paint...i have it...i understand about balanced reflecting...but i need more info on white plastic...

[latewood]

I use panda plastic...black on one side white on the other...Great stuff.

Flat white paint reflects very well and if on a budget you will be just fine!!! Flat white. peace

[GaGrown]

Panda film is the shit! You can hide stuff with the black and line the floors and walls with the white! With the black being on 1 side and white on the other.It makes the white, seem as if it's brighter than the actual color.Like a paint job on a car! If you use a darker base primer you will get a red to be more of a candy apple red.Makes it seem brighter!Highly reflective!

Ga Grown

[builderdan]

shiny white plastic would work really well so long as the surface is fairly even. I've used seratone which is a white shower/bathroom lining product sold here in NZ which is really quiet shiny, even, flat, waterproof (my humidity level is about 59/60%RH) and as it's a composite wood product I can cut it, glue it, screw it etc - the draw back is it is F**King expensive but I had some left over from doing my shower ;) If you can mount your plastic evenly and with as little interruptions (ie screws through etc) as possible then I say go for it - especially as you'd probably get it at staff rates or something

[stickyinsalem]

cool...i will probably get the plastic then...but i was kinda hoping Zandor or Knowm could do some of that reflective math for me again...they awesome at that kinda sht

[HARDDON]

cool...i will probably get the plastic then...but i was kinda hoping Zandor or Knowm could do some of that reflective math for me again...they awesome at that kinda sht


The math is meaningless.

Even Mylar @ AN 'ALLEDGED' 98% relfective rate is uselss if its not properly laid flat against the surfaces. It will have dark spots that eat light.

White plastic is great as well as long as the surface is flat you will get up to 86% reflection.

Personally I prefer white as it causes a 'diffusion' of light as opposed to a direct reflection like you get with Mylar.

Your calculations need to contain footnotes that all mathematical equations are based upon proper setup, install and relative FLAT surfacing of your materials.

Mylar may be 98% reflective, but NOT if improperly hung. Same with white.

[Methyl3]

The math is meaningless.

Even Mylar @ AN 'ALLEDGED' 98% relfective rate is uselss if its not properly laid flat against the surfaces. It will have dark spots that eat light.

White plastic is great as well as long as the surface is flat you will get up to 86% reflection.

Personally I prefer white as it causes a 'diffusion' of light as opposed to a direct reflection like you get with Mylar.

Your calculations need to contain footnotes that all mathematical equations are based upon proper setup, install and relative FLAT surfacing of your materials.

Mylar may be 98% reflective, but NOT if improperly hung. Same with white.


I agree wholeheartedly. sometimes people get so caught up on some of the smallest nuances that it sometimes too funny. Unless someone is taking calculations of all of the variables present i.e room shape, properties of reflective material, various light positions, phenotype characteristics of the strain etc then some of these small minute differences are all a waste in the avg grow room.

People should just put emphesis on the basics i.e proper lighting, good room setup and good strains and all will be well. I mean really...has anyone ever done a controlled study to see the difference between white paint, mylar or any other refelctive material? I know we can calculate the theoretical increases in light output, but who's to say that other reflective characteristics are not changed from one medium to another?!

I just think people sometimes look at the wrong places when something is not what they expect instead of looking at the basics since the more intricate/small things tend to not have such a drastic impact as the basics.

[latewood]

I agree wholeheartedly. sometimes people get so caught up on some of the smallest nuances that it sometimes too funny. Unless someone is taking calculations of all of the variables present i.e room shape, properties of reflective material, various light positions, phenotype characteristics of the strain etc then some of these small minute differences are all a waste in the avg grow room.

People should just put emphesis on the basics i.e proper lighting, good room setup and good strains and all will be well. I mean really...has anyone ever done a controlled study to see the difference between white paint, mylar or any other refelctive material? I know we can calculate the theoretical increases in light output, but who's to say that other reflective characteristics are not changed from one medium to another?!

I just think people sometimes look at the wrong places when something is not what they expect instead of looking at the basics since the more intricate/small things tend to not have such a drastic impact as the basics.has anyone actually done a controlled study...

Yes they have and they are published in several places as well as hydrofarms yearly catalog...

[Methyl3]

has anyone actually done a controlled study...

Yes they have and they are published in several places as well as hydrofarms yearly catalog...

Can you please direct me as I cannot locate any. Are these published periodicals or just in house studies?