Mylar vs. foil

[xcrispi]

Atomik Digital Micro Temp Gun 2 Infrared Traxxas w/Case - (eBay item 220149303684 end time Sep-21-07 20:58:00 PDT)


Real cheap tool that pays for itself quick .

xcrispi Reviewed by xcrispi on 09-19-2007. Mylar vs. foil For a long time I assumed everyone knew what they were talking about when they said not to use aluminum foil, and to use mylar. Apparently foil can create hot spots. But here's the thing, so can mylar. In fact, it's often used precisely because of its ability to reflect heat! Anyway, I've heard all sorts of misinformation, like that aluminum foil is only 40% reflective whereas mylar is 98% reflective. So I looked up some data in my thermodynamics textbook from college. Actually, Rating: 5

[rhizome]

it solved a problem, I'm building a new cabinet soon, but can't afford Mylar (even being a mega-rich drug kingpin :wtf ... so, now that I know the Mylar isn't holding up well, I will paint it flat white, like I did for years ... :jointsmile:

Panda, my man...Panda.

'cuz ya can clean it.

[elstonite]

Holland Hydroponics - Reflective Material

Foil may reflect more heat but mylar wins hands down on light reflectivity.

foil causes hotspots and aint recommended for growing cannabis

[growwatcher]

foil causes hotspots and aint recommended for growing cannabis

Wow! WTF?

Someone should make a thread about whether that is actually true or just folk wisdom :wtf:

Grow

[clovisman]

I am a pro-commercial photographer and teach advanced lighting classes at 2 universities- here is a photographers opinion based upon 25years of bouncing light- mylar and foil definetly create hot spots with reflected light- if you use foil first wad it up and spread back out- the wrinkles will bounce the light back in all directions- i have found that nothing beats a satin white surface - there is a much more even distributation of the light rays bouncing off this surface where mylar acts as a lens and will focus light rays if the surface is not completely smooth which is near impossible to do-the room I use to start my plants is white

[the image reaper]

Panda, my man...Panda.

'cuz ya can clean it.

the Panda has advantages, for sure, but I don't need much, and can only find it in large, expensive rolls ($75 or so) ... I've always wondered why the Panda works well, as it seems to be a 'high-gloss' white which usually doesn't reflect as well as 'flat-white' ... either way, $$$-wise, I will have to go with flat-white paint again (I don't clean it, I just throw a fresh coat on, every new crop) ... no more easily-scratched and fogged Mylar for me, ain't easy living on Social Security these days ... :smokin:

[khronik]

Holland Hydroponics - Reflective Material

Foil may reflect more heat but mylar wins hands down on light reflectivity.

foil causes hotspots and aint recommended for growing cannabis

Here's the thing: every source I can find that claims aluminum foil is less than 50% reflectivity is inevitably linked to the cannabis-growing community. This leads me to believe there is a pot-growing book out there with misinformation in it about aluminum foil.

Apparently, there is a group out there called the "European Aluminum Foil Association" that knows everything there is to know about aluminum foil. Must be a boring group of folks, but they do know foil! Anyway, here is what they say:

"[Aluminum foil] reflects approximately 98% of radiant heat and light. There is no difference between the reflectivity of a bright and a matte foil surface."

source: alufoil - European Aluminium Foil Association

Yes, I have a lot of free time at work. I told my boss yesterday that I don't have much to do and that he should find me more work but he hasn't yet.

[ProGroWannabe]

The European Aluminum Foil Association---who'da thunk it?---lol

Khronik, now since you have so much time on your hands, you could be the first to create the American Association of Solaristics. he he

Seriously though, your prolly right. It prolly started with someone's writing a guess in a book instead of researching to find verifiable fact.

[khronik]

The European Aluminum Foil Association---who'da thunk it?---lol

Khronik, now since you have so much time on your hands, you could be the first to create the American Association of Solaristics. he he

Seriously though, your prolly right. It prolly started with someone's writing a guess in a book instead of researching to find verifiable fact.

I think you mean "American Society of Solaristics."

I want the title "Marijuana Mythbuster". Coming up next, khronik tests the myth that cannabis plants are unharmed by the detonation of massive quantities of plastic explosives!

[Opie Yutts]

xcrispi, thanks for the info. I had no idea that those thermometers were so cheap now.