Luminous paint, paint that glows in the dark because it contains a phosphor, a substance that emits light for a certain length of time after exposure to an energy source, such as ultraviolet radiation. Zinc sulfide and calcium sulfide are such phosphors.

How long does glow in the dark paint last?

Unopened glow in the dark paint may last for 3 to 5 years. On a wall, it may radiate luminously for up to 10-years, or even 12 if protected with a clear sealer. Fluorescent paint will glow as long as a black light shines on it, while phosphorescent glows after dark for 3 to 4 hours or more.

How does glow paint glow?

Fluorescent paints 'glow' when exposed to long-wave ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These UV wavelengths are found in sunlight and many artificial lights, but the paint requires a special black light to view so these glowing-paint applications are called 'black-light effects'.