Click here to purchase our glow in the dark paint!

🎃 Let's get this party startled! 🎃

Materials Needed

• Wooden decoration that you would like to glow-ify (we used a jack-o-lantern for this tutorial)
• Art 'N Glow - Glow in the Dark Paint
• Neutral Orange
• Fluorescent Green
• Regular White Acrylic Paint
• Art 'N Glow - Glow Powder
• Art 'N Glow Epoxy Resin  Kit
• Assorted Paintbrushes
• String or Yarn
• Small Disposable Cups
• Stirring Sticks
• Wax Paper
• Tape
• Leveling Tool
• Artist's Torch or Fireplace Lighter
• Latex, Rubber, or Nylon Gloves
• Blow Dryer (optional)
• Sandpaper (optional)

Step 1: Your first step is to choose the decoration you would like to glow-ify! Once you have done so, prepare your work space by placing a drop cloth on a table, and verify that the table is level (resin can flow to one side if not perfectly level). For this tutorial, we will be using a wooden jack-o-lantern, so that we can incorporate both paint and resin.

Step 2: Start with a solid coat of white acrylic paint as a base for your neutral glow paint. This allows for a brighter glow, as the glow reflects off of the white paint.

Step 3: Now it's time to add the glow! This step is best done under UV lighting, or using a UV flashlight, to ensure even coating. Paint the pumpkin with a solid layer of neutral orange glow paint. You can use a blow dryer between layers of glow paint, to help it to dry faster. For the best results, allow each layer of paint to completely dry before adding another coat. (Note: For this decoration, we added 3 layers of glow paint.) Use a stir stick to remove any excess paint from where you will be pouring resin later.

Step 4: Now paint the stem of the pumpkin using fluorescent green glow paint.

Step 5: Time to prep for pouring the resin! Wrap the bottom and edges of your decoration with wax paper and tape, to create a barrier for the resin flow.

Step 6: Measure equal parts resin and hardener by volume, in a plastic disposable cup, to create the resin mixture you will use in the next step. It is important to make sure this mixture is stirred thoroughly, removing any streaks of resin.

Step 7: Thoroughly mix 1 part glow powder to 4 parts resin mixture (i.e. 7 grams glow powder to 1 ounce of resin mixture). This is what we consider to be the perfect ratio for the brightest glow!

Step 8: Carefully pour the glowing resin mixture into the shapes or letters that are cut into your decoration. If necessary, use a stir stick to manipulate the resin and help it to spread more quickly. This step is done best under UV lighting.

Pro tip: Avoid spills by cutting your disposable cups to be 2-3 inches in height. As you lift the cup from pouring the resin in individual spaces, use your glove to catch excess resin from dripping off the side of the cup.

Step 9: Remove any bubbles from the resin by lightly heating the surface with a fireplace lighter or small artist's torch, taking caution not to burn your wooden decoration. Periodically return to your piece to repeat this step over the next 90 minutes, to ensure that no new bubbles have risen to the surface.

Step 10: When you have finished pouring the glowing resin, completely and carefully cover your work space so that no debris adheres to your piece. Allow the resin to cure for at least 24-72 hours.

Pro Tips: 

1. Place some heavy objects around the edges of your decoration to prevent the resin from flowing underneath it while curing.
2. If there are any spills or drips on the surface of your decoration, once the resin has completely cured, you can remove them by sanding. After sanding, wipe down the surface with a solvent such as denatured alcohol or acetone, and repaint if necessary.

Step 11: Attach string or yarn to your new spine-chilling, glow in the dark decoration, and it is complete!

Step 12: Find somewhere spooky to display your boo-tiful new creation.

Use Glow in the Dark Acrylic Paint to add quick and simple Glow in the Dark details to all of your Halloween decor and costume ideas!

If you've got it, haunt it! Don't forget to tag your final products with #artnglow so we can see all of the spooky, glowing accessories that you create! We're dying to hear from you 👻

Let's give 'em pumpkin to talk about this Halloween! 🎃