# Does infra-red or Ultra-Violet paint exist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 28, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-infra-red-or-ultra-violet-paint-exist/601079 "2011-10-28T15:16:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-infra-red-or-ultra-violet-paint-exist/601079/21 "2011-10-29T08:39:58Z")
Here’s an example of what sunscreen looks like when photographed using visible vs UV light-sensitive cameras: [http://zidbits.com/2011/07/how-does-sunscreen-work/sunscreen-uv-example/](http://zidbits.com/2011/07/how-does-sunscreen-work/sunscreen-uv-example/) The answer to the general question here is yes; all you need to be able to implement this idea is a pigments and/or dyes that reflect or absorb specific, probably narrow, bands of light. And these already exist for visible and UV/IR bands, because they’re useful in making lens filters, etc. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-infra-red-or-ultra-violet-paint-exist/601079/22 "2011-10-29T09:39:38Z")
Apparently some black markers will show up in IR even on a black background. And a similar effect can be created with light filters that look black but let IR pass through. [http://amasci.com/amateur/irgoggl.html](http://amasci.com/amateur/irgoggl.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-infra-red-or-ultra-violet-paint-exist/601079.md?page=1)