Today we purchased what we commonly refer to as BLACK LIGHT or UV LIGHT. It will be used to enhance by giving artificial glowing effect to the Gundam and/or Toys when we are taking pictures for the review. We purchased the fluorescent type black light since it is the most effective variant and also it was the smallest one available. You can BUY it from Handyman at Robinsons Galleria. We bought it together with a Fluorescent Fixture. It costs around 600+ all in all. We had fun testing all the beam sabers and wing effects of the built Gundams that we have. It seemed to work for some plastic materials and does nothing to others. Anyway, you will see it from the pictures below.

But before we start, here is a little trivia about black light from wikipedia

A black light, also referred to as a UV light, ultraviolet light, or Wood’s lamp, is a lamp that emits ultraviolet radiation (UV) in the long-wave (near ultraviolet, UVA) range, and little visible light. Other types of ultraviolet lamp emit large amounts of visible light along with the ultraviolet; but a “black light” usually refers to a lamp that has a dark blue optical filtering material in the glass envelope of the bulb (or the lamp housing) which blocks most of the visible light, so the lamp emits mostly ultraviolet. Ultraviolet radiation is invisible, but a small fraction of visible light passes through the filtering material, with wavelengths no longer than 400-410 nm, and as a result, when operating the lamp has a dim purple or violet glow. Wood’s glass is one type of filtering material which is used in black lights.

Black light sources may be made from specially designed fluorescent lamps, mercury vapor lamps, light-emitting diodes, or incandescent lamps. In most black lights the blue optical filter material to block visible light is in the glass envelope of the light bulb, but in some types there is a separate filter glass in the lamp housing. In medicine, forensics, and some other scientific fields, such a light source is referred to as a Wood’s lamp (named after Robert Williams Wood).

Ultraviolet lights have many uses, but black lights are essential when UV light without visible light is needed, particularly in observing fluorescence, the colored glow that many substances emit when exposed to UV. Black lights are employed for decorative and artistic lighting effects, for diagnostic and therapeutic uses in medicine, for the detection of substances tagged with fluorescent dyes, rock-hunting, for the curing of plastic resins and for attracting insects. Strong sources of long-wave ultraviolet light are used in tanning beds. Black light lamps are also used for the detection of counterfeit money. Most artificial ultraviolet sources are low power. Powerful ultraviolet sources present a hazard to eyes and skin; apparatus using these sources requires personal protective equipment.

 

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These are what we bought

 

 

Light fixture was FIREFLY brand.

This is good for a 20 watt fluorescent.

Price is 249.75 php

 

 

Fluorescent Black Light Lamp is KANDOlite brand

20 watts

Priced at 408 php

 

 

Black light…

 

 

Fluorescent Fixture

 

 

 

this is how it looks like when attached

 

OFF

 

ON (with other lights on)

 

 

Notice how white stickers glow

 

ON (closed some of the lights to see the black light clearly)

 

 

 

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EXPERIMENT

 

 

Black light OFF

 

 

Black light ON (with another light source at left side)

 

 

Black light ON (light source at left has been removed)

 

 

Changed the angle of the kit – Black light ON (same as above)

 

 

Moved the black light to the front

left – with black light

right – without black light

 

 

Tried combining the left light source and the black light at front

 

 

 

 

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We tried to check what kind of plastic were greatly affected. It seems that the old beam effects are the most reactive to the UV light. The newer beam effects has little to no reaction at all. That is why we would like to conclude that if you do not have neon paint on your Gundams, then expect that only a few plastic parts will react to the Black light. You will have to check it by yourself which one works. 🙂

 

 

This is the trident of 1/100 Nataku

 

 

MG 1/100 Deathscythe seems to be affected as well

 

 

 

Example of beam effects not affected by UV LIGHT

 

SD Unicorn’s beam effects were not affected

 

 

You will appreciate it better when seen in person.

It looks brighter than that, but still, the glow is visible in the picture so you already have the idea.

 

 

 

trying it out on SD QuanT

 

 

on SD Seven Swords as well

 

 

Of course, MG 1/100 Unicorn Gundam ver Ka

I needed to close the other lights to better see the glowing effect

left – only the black light is on

right – the black light is still on but with another light on the left side

 

 

You can use it to check for counterfeit money as well….

 

 

-END