Need help choosing Blacklights

[Haunthunter]

Hi guys I bought light bulbs as well as spotlights but these just look purple and do not make white glow like I am used to see. What gives?

[Spooky1]

You need to get fluorescent or LED black light bulbs. The incandescent black light bulbs are crap and don't work.

[grismcdonald]

Lowes carries a compact floresent black light party bult for about $5.80. Suggestion from somebody else for my FCG Put in a clam on work light and WOW IT IS IMPRESSIVE The purple bulbs are no comparison. As I have many and will be replaced by the CFL from Lowes this year

[fritz42_male]

You can buy 'twisty' compact fluorescent blacklight bulbs at most hardware stores. These work well for me.

[Haunthunter]

I will go tomorrow and check them out. This really helped.

[dynoflyer]

I use both the CFL Blacklights and the short 18" tubular fluorescent kits from discount stores. The tubular fluorescent bulbs carry the light over a larger area if you're trying to light up something big, the CLF's work fine if you're lighting up something smaller or if the bulb can be closer to the item. A clamp on work light fixture painted flat black helps.
If you want to cast the UV over a large area, like outdoors, nothing beats a pair of 48" UV lamps in a shoplight fixture. Paint the outside of the shoplight fixture flat black and spray silver or chrome paint on the reflector wings to help spread the light better.
I hang one of these over the front porch and when the TOT's come up the walk it really makes their costumes glow, they are amazed!

[MacabreRob]

I used the 18" Black light tube, hidden from view by black plastic. I was thinking about making a mini-LED spotlight, from an earlier tutorial, using the blacklight LEDs...

[Lunatic]

I use the 18" & 48" fluorescent bulbs. Black light bulbs and spots don't fluoresce but damn they get hot!

[beelce]

LOVE the CFL blacklights.....$6..... work great

[Haunthunter]

CFLs with clamps is a great idea. I also went to walmart and bought one of the shop lights and a black light. Really works great!!!