Frequently Asked Questions
Are the paints safe ?
Yes - the paints are water based and non-toxic.
As with most paints the glow paint will emit a slight odour when drying but being waterbased they dry within a couple of hours and the odour will fade away.
Does the ceiling have to be painted black first ?
Absolutely not. A white ceiling is perfect for the paints to glow at their best.
Can the effect be painted onto an textured ceiling ?
Yes - I can paint stars and nebulae onto a textured ceilings although it may not be possible to create the planet effect if the texture is very pronounced as these work best on a flat surface.
How does the paint glow ?
The paints are phosphorescent which means they can absorb sunlight and artificial light (known as charging) and slowly release this light during darkness.
What is UV ?
UV is short for Ultraviolet light (or black light). UV light has a wavelength shorter than that of visible light and cannot be detected by the human eye.
While UV light itself is invisible, it causes many substances to glow or fluoresce in a variety of colors that are visible and you will probably have seen the effects of such lighting at themeparks and nightclubs.
How long will the stars glow for ?
The paints will glow for up to 10 hours if they are given an adequate charge of light. Normal lighting will do the job but for the most outstanding results a UV black-light will charge up the ceiling better & faster.
Is the paint visible during the day ?
In daylight the paint is a very pale cream colour so if painted onto a white or off-whiite ceiling the effect is almost invisible.
How long does it take to complete a Star Ceiling
A Star Ceiling that includes a planet, comet, shooting stars and nebulae will be completed within one day (unless it is an exceptionally large ceiling) Sometimes it will be possible to complete the work before your child gets back from school so you can surprise them at bedtime
Will I be able to paint over a Star Ceiling ?
Yes - you will need to sand the ceiling and apply about 3-4 coats of emulsion before the effect finally disappears although I would be very surprised if you ever wanted to do this.
Will I have to remove furniture from
the room to be painted ?
I use plastic sheeting and dust covers to protect the walls, floor & furniture but I do ask that the room is cleared as much as possible - especially of any fragile and valuable items.
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I can work around wardrobes, beds and desks so you do not have to remove them from the room.
After you complete the ceiling will I have to wait
until night-time to see the effect ?
Not at all. Before I start painting the ceiling I have to block out the daylight with blackout material - this is to simulate the night-time.
Once I have finished the ceiling I will give it a good charge with a UV light so you will be able to see the effect before I leave.
Are the star pictures shown on this
website your actual work ?
Yes they certainly are. I believe it is important to show you the actual images even though they cannot compare to seeing the effect firsthand.
Ok - I would love to have my very own starry ceiling.
What is the next step ?
Excellent - Follow this link so that I can get more details about your ceiling and I will then be able to provide a quotation for you.