Mylar or flat white paint?

punit

Well-Known Member
Hey growers, I was wondering if there is a noticeable difference in using mylar vs. flat white paint? $$$$$ not an issue,looking for best result:joint:!!!
 

MR M3RKLEZz

Active Member
well if your lookin 4 best results then go for the mylar
paints just the cheap way to not having to buy mylar
 

homer28110

Member
I am cheap and use the back of rapping paper which looks a lot like aluminum foil. It works like mylar but hard to keep clean. From my reading opinions seem to differ because highly reflective material also reflect heat. If you just paint your walls they walls will absorb some heat from the lights and keep your grow area cooler but will not reflect as much light.
 

jcdws602

Well-Known Member
Flat white,mylar can be a pain in the ass,it wrinkles easily and gets dirty really easy,like if you foliar spray or just put your hands on it and your hands are dirty.Just my opinion I have use both.
 

usuf

Well-Known Member
Visqueen plastic. Its cheap, easy to put up, & blocks light from going outside your grow area.
 

Green Cross

Well-Known Member
I would suggest some Elastomeric paint (white roofing coating) it's a very effective rubber like substance that's easy to use. I got mine at Lowes for $17 and can say that it works very well with 90% reflectivity. Read about it here https://www.rollitup.org/view.php?pg=faq&cmd=article&id=68 before I made my purchase.
Good stuff indeed, but home depot brand "Bear" flat "brilliant white" is also highly reflective when compared to most other brands. It's a true white and also 90% reflective.

Mylar traps heat if that's an issue for anyone
 

chodkola

Member
If money is not a problem then i would definetly go with the mylar (I think its like 95% ref). If your using hps the room is going to be hot already so the little added heat wont do much just vent it... Watch out for the odors though. Carbon filter.
 
I had big problems with mylar on my microgrow. I droped 15 degrees when i switched to white paint. If space is limited then go with paint!
 

Trichome9

Member
Alright, I've got a problem/question.

My plans for a grow room don't include solid walls (2x4s arranged, then wrapped on both sides with a reflective, insulating material, to create small, joined rooms), so Paints would be a problem. If I'm using CFLs for my grow, what is the best material to use? I'm pretty sure I need something that won't trap too much heat, as it gets hot during the summer. If possible for the winter, I need something that will both trap heat and reflect. Keep in mind that these materials need to be able to be wrapped around something. Panels of some sort could also be an option if they're cheap.

What can you recommend?
 

bbates

Member
From what I have read white paint seems to be the best since it is easier to keep clean, cooler and doesn't get too hot. Plus it's cheaper and easier to get. You might get 5% extra reflection from Mylar but you also get a lot of heat and cleaning issues. If you need more light just buy more lights or throw in a couple of CFL's to make up for the 5% and it will be a lot cooler.
 

jcdws602

Well-Known Member
Alright, I've got a problem/question.

My plans for a grow room don't include solid walls (2x4s arranged, then wrapped on both sides with a reflective, insulating material, to create small, joined rooms), so Paints would be a problem. If I'm using CFLs for my grow, what is the best material to use? I'm pretty sure I need something that won't trap too much heat, as it gets hot during the summer. If possible for the winter, I need something that will both trap heat and reflect. Keep in mind that these materials need to be able to be wrapped around something. Panels of some sort could also be an option if they're cheap.

What can you recommend?
With no walls Panda FIlm, black on one side white on the other,and not too expensive.
 
Alright, I've got a problem/question.

My plans for a grow room don't include solid walls (2x4s arranged, then wrapped on both sides with a reflective, insulating material, to create small, joined rooms), so Paints would be a problem. If I'm using CFLs for my grow, what is the best material to use? I'm pretty sure I need something that won't trap too much heat, as it gets hot during the summer. If possible for the winter, I need something that will both trap heat and reflect. Keep in mind that these materials need to be able to be wrapped around something. Panels of some sort could also be an option if they're cheap.

What can you recommend?
You Can run with mylar in a tight space if you have adequate Ventilation. I highly recommend a Air Vented light reflector for the cfl's. I built mine out of wood, cardboard, mylar, 2 cpu fans, and 4" dryer ducting.
 
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