Sprinkling Reflective Powder on Wet Paint (click to shop)

Reflective glass powder beads only reflect when light is able to strike the surface of the bead, enter, and be reflected back to the source.  To do this, beads need to be partially exposed above the surface of a clear of opaque binder. (paint)  Premixing beads in clear paint is effective, however, it is important that the coats be thin so that the beads are exposed to light.  Otherwise they will not reflect.

For the brightest reflectivity, we recommend the sprinkle on method.  This assures the brightest return of light and although it involves an extra step that reflective paint does not require, it is more foolproof.  To achieve retro reflectivity using the sprinkle or drop on method, simply apply a coat of paint to a surface, and then sprinkle on either silver or white retro reflective powder beads.  Once the paint dries, brush off any excess and put them back in a container for future use.

Using this method, you are assured of having the most beads exposed to incoming light and the fewest beads encapsulated by the coating.  This in turn will create the most retro reflective surface possible.  In the picture below, the right side of the rock was made reflective using the sprinkle on wet paint method, and the left side is standard reflective paint.  As you can see, the right side is brighter.

In summary, both reflective paint and sprinkle on powder beads create retro reflectivity.  However, because the sprinkle on method exposes more beads, it is the better method for max reflectivity.