UV light -vs- Black light?

[mepoozer]

Hello all- One more question- I'm trying to start this out as inexpencive as possible for now till I can generate some income to buy one of the kits. I need a UV light and have seen some "black Lights" but don't know if they are the same thing or will work? Any Advice? Thank You, Karen

[Coitster]

I almost never use a uv light at all. I let the sun cure my chips for 5 minutes. Works great.

[mafsu]

If you want an inexpensive but reliable uv light you can get a battery operated 6" fluorescent lamp from most home improvement stores 6 or seven bucks (I even bought a couple from a grocery store a couple months ago). They are usually packaged as under counter lights. Then get a 6" uv bulb online from one of the windshield repair suppliers, you can also get them online from light bulb distributors for about 4 or 5 dollars apiece. The part # is usually 4t5bl (4t5blb is a black light). Add a suction cup and you are in business. I also use the sun, but it has been my experience you get less scarring when using a UV light. Another consideration is the lack of sun in parking decks or shops you might be asked to perform a repair in.

[Dave M]

I used the sun to cure when I first started, but after reading some material from Janvil and reading some other experienced techs' posts, I purchased a dual 12 volt 9 watt UV light. The original purchase was around $120 and the bulbs cost around $20. Curing time is cut in half. I would strongly suggest contacting Janvil or Delta Kits and asking why a strong UV light is much better than using the sun to cure repairs.

[gold star wsr]

Janvil has their cure lights on special right now; suction cups included, optional adapters for lighter plug-in & house current (see their website), also their replacement bulbs are reasonably priced. I replace the bulb in my lamp about every 6 months, even if I dont use it much .. supposedly they loose power over time (any comments from others?) ... also I keep at least one bulb for spare at all times in case of breakage. I usually depend on the sun for curing here in the southwest US. But today it was overcast and I was working in low light conditions, so having a curing lamp was essential, and going into the winter months makes a difference too as the angle and intensity of the sun provides less UV than in the summer.

[Coitster]

Hey,
The only time I use a UV lamp is when it's getting dark, or for some reason the UV from the sun is low. Most of the time the UV from the sun is plenty, I only use a UV light maybee 3 times a month.
David
Coitster

[Dave M]

Let's hear from anyone who attented one of the glass conferences in the passed 2-3 years, where one of the speakers talked about UV lights and curing.
This was a much posted topic at one time and it is my understanding that curing by sunlight was not the way to go. Something to do with the wavelength and that a strong UV light would cure not only better but faster.
What are you using inside (under cover) to cure your repairs, hopefully not a battery operated 4 watt light!

[opey71]

The sun works just fine, just takes a little longer to cure than using a light.

[mepoozer]

Hello- I'm curious- we live in Colorado (wish we were in a state like Florida that has sunshine more) and in the winter time especially- there isn't sun sometimes to cure the resin so we need to use the UV or black light and that is why I was asking what the difference was... Thank You, Karen

[gold star wsr]

I recently visited a wsr supplier website where they had both the white UV bulbs and also the dark blue (which I suspect may be what we calll 'black'). I called Radio Shack to see if they had battery powered florescent UV lamps and the person I spoke to asked if I was looking for a black light. So it would seem that black lights are also UV. I think the main difference between the two is the amount of illumination you get with one vs. the other. I remember when black lights were the 'thing', and how they were used for creating special effects after dark when they were shone on posters and such. The intensity of the UV is probably the same in both the white and the black bulbs of the same wattage.