Reflective Glass Beads - How they Work and Where to Get Them
If you have been on the interstate or any road you have probably noticed that the painted stripes light up when your automobile lights hit them. This is because the lines are made with reflective paint or reflective thermoplastic. To make the lines reflective glass beads are distributed on top of wet paint or hot thermoplastic. When light hits them they reflect back a portion of that light to the source.
REFLECTIVE GLASS BEADS
Glass bead reflectivity is the most common way of reflecting light. Thousands of small glass beads embedded in traffic paint will cause it to light up when automobile lights hit it. Because of their shape and clarity, each glass bead reflects light back to the source.
Our reflective glass beads are designed to be added to the surface of traffic paint to make it retro-reflective. The addition of these glass spheres has a dramatic effect on the night time visibility of stripes and markings. Recommended rate of application is 6 pounds per gallon of traffic paint. The beads are to be sprinkled ON TOP of wet paint or hot thermoplastic. They provide a sharp degree of reflectivity in wet or dry conditions. These are the same beads you will see at night on interstate highway lines. The glass beads can also be used in a variety of other applications where reflectivity is desired. Whenever they are distributed on top of wet paint the surface becomes reflective. They have beome very popular in craft type applications.
Reflective Glass Beads can be purchased in larger quantities by "clicking here".
Reflective Glass Beads can be purchased in smaller quantities by "clicking here".
Click Here for Prismatic Diamond Grade Type Tape
Click Here for Engineer and High Intensity Glass Bead Type Reflective Tapes
If you have any questions about glass beads or reflective tape or need samples feel free to email me at steve@colebrothers.com
Steve Cole - Owner
850-934-3157