Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

[whipcracker]

Are flourescent lights bad for the gelcoat on my fiberglass boat? I was thinking to changing my garage over to CFL's to save energy but I'm not sure if the light is bad for the boat. Any ideas?

 

[F_R]

Re: Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

Now that's a good question I've never heard before. Be interesting to see what kind of response you get. Personally, I don't have the slightest idea. But it seems like if they are bad for boats they would be bad for people too. (?)

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

i don't know either, but i also keep a cover on mine to keep it clean, even in the garage.

 

[Windykid]

Re: Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

I cant see how they would produce more UV ray than the sun itself.

 

[F_R]

Re: Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

But the sun is harsh on fiberglass and people. However, if flourescent lights had anywhere near the UV as sunlight we would have to keep the baby covered in sunscreen.

 

[QC]

Re: Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

No. But never, ever, ever use a black light . . .

 

[Johnson 225]

Re: Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

If flourescent Lights are bad what about all the one in the office spaces. I haven't had to put on sun screen at the office.

My 2 cents

 

[Hashi]

Re: Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

No. But never, ever, ever use a black light . . .

Why?

 

[Hashi]

Re: Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

Are flourescent lights bad for the gelcoat on my fiberglass boat? I was thinking to changing my garage over to CFL's to save energy but I'm not sure if the light is bad for the boat. Any ideas?

Fluorescent lights do not give off anymore UV's as the sun. The sun's rays are also magnified from the reflection of the water. So no, it will not. But, if you leave the fluorescent lights on 24/7, 365 days a year, then you'll have an issue.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

"Blacklights" produce light primarily in the Ultra Violet spectrum. I was taught the use of them to artificially age varnish and laquer finishes by placing the finish under a spread of "blacklights".

 

[QC]

Re: Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

I was kidding . . . hence the :razz: , but now that EC has clarified, like I said, NEVER. Well unless you are artificailly aging I think I am officially aging, somebody take away my keyboard

 

[Hashi]

Re: Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

Thanks E.C. That's one I didn't know about. Learn something new everyday on this forum.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

But, if you leave the fluorescent lights on 24/7, 365 days a year, then you'll have an issue.

Ayuh,.........

Only Issue I see would be trying to pay the Power Bill...................
And,...
1 other slight Issue is,....
The color you See might be slightly different than when looking at it in Sunlight........
Not that the gelcoat Will be different,..... It'll just Look different.......

 

[tigerhack]

Re: Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

Are flourescent lights bad for the gelcoat on my fiberglass boat? I was thinking to changing my garage over to CFL's to save energy but I'm not sure if the light is bad for the boat. Any ideas?

florurescent light will not do your boat any harm my friend ,just think about that dam sun whitch we cant do without thats the sun of all sun we need to worry about,but as tashydaddy says always good to keep your boat covered.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Flourescent lights and gelcoat?

While all fluorescent lamps produce UV light, all standard lighting lamps have the UV impinge on a fluorescent coating (hence the name fluorescent light) which fluoresces (wow, can I spell redundant?) producing visible light. The process is very efficient and very little to no UV is lost through the glass tube --UV does not penetrate most glass. That's why you don't get tanned indoors or through car windows. SO, No, Fluorescent lamps are not bad for the gelcoat. --even if you leave them on for 24-7. Think about the boats sitting inside the showrooms.

Just for info, Simply put, UV is short wave, high energy light. That's why it damages gelcoat, and unprotected fiberglass even faster. The energy breaks down the bonds and cross linking of the cured styrene. Visible light is long wave low energy. IR is even longer wave and although we use it for heating, it is lower in energy than visible light.

The main danger in these lamps is when they break, the phosphor coating is toxic, as is the mercury they use to produce UV