Glow in the Dark Commode Seat

Intro: Glow in the Dark Commode Seat

The purpose of this toilet seat mod was to have all the light necessary to enter the bathroom from the master bedroom and find the target. This keeps me from having to turn on the bathroom light which shines into the master bedroom and wakes up my wife or worse,... Missing the Target!

Inspiration came from a Glow in the dark vessel bowl sink that I molded up some years ago.

STEP 1: Materials List

One "WHITE" toilet seat. If you get a new one make sure that you check weather you have a "round" or an "elongated" bowl. White is the preferred back ground color for best performance.

I used "House of Color" Kosmic Long Glow Blue on this project but I suggest trying Risk Reactor as they specialize in photo luminous and UV fluorescing pigments in many different colors at a better price.

Pint of automotive acrylic urethane clear and hardener.

Red Scotch Bright pad or sheet of 400 grit wet or dry sand paper.

Masking tape and paper.

Carbon filter respirator for automotive paints.

Spray Gun and compressor or optionally use "Preval" spray kit.

STEP 2: Prep Work

Remove hinges and tape off or remove seat and lid bumpers. Scuff seat with red scotch bright or 400 grit sand paper.
Be careful not to sand through original white finish. If you do sand through use a can of white "Lacquer" as a base coat to repair the solid white finish. Using cheap enamels will result in paint lifting or wrinkling with the clear coat.

I chose to mask off the top of the lid and leave that the original finish.

STEP 3: Mix Clear Coat and Glow Powder

Put on your respirator and mix about 4-6 oz of clear per manufacturers instructions. After mixing add about 1 heaping Tablespoon of glow powder. Mix well and spray a tack coat followed by a full wet coat of glow clear. Work in sunshine and watch out for over-spray on your or your neighbors cars. let charge up for 10 minutes and carry wet parts into a darkened garage or shed and check out your results. More powder equals more glow and more coats equals more glow. Try to get a satisfactory result in 3 full coats if possible.
Do not rush and constantly stir or agitate your paint gun cup as the glow powder drops out of suspension fast.

Do as I say not as I do. Use rubber gloves while mixing and spraying. 

I chose to spray the underside of the seat first then flipped it over onto bolts and nails I put in the bumper and hinge holes. This allows the seat to be sprayed flat , reducing the chance of runs.

STEP 4:

After you have sprayed sufficient Glow Clear, clean your gun and apply a coat of straight clear.

Allow to dry at  least 12 hrs. then reassemble seat and install. The Long Glow Blue from House of Color charges up pretty well under incandescent and fluorescent lighting. Risk Reactor has a green that has tremendous storage and intensity.

I really prefer the look of not coating the top of the lid, as after the lid is closed and lights out, as it has a nice glow about the perimeter of the lid.

Remember to make sure you leave the lid up and lights on for half an hour before bed. With my bath lighting mine charges sufficiently that I can find the target 5 hrs after bed time.

A word of advice on purchasing glow powders, The additives described are photolumenous but are not the type that glow under a black light. Risk Reactor sells both types and more. I have done commercial projects with other clear additives that fluoresce under black light illumination, some amazing effects can be achieved with these types as well.  

More Instructables to come!   Thank You.

Comments

[MattGyver92]

Let me level with your here for a second.
Electrical engineering = Pretty smart
General relativity = Pretty freakin smart
Glow in the dark loo = GENIUS!

[SherylinRM]

First I want to say.

GREAT idea.

Secondly. Would it not simply be easier to just sit down and go pee like us women do?

We never miss this way lol. Also you get to semi sleep in comfort while sitting there lol.

Great ible. Thanks for this :)

[grannyjones]

I need this. Small puddle on the floor right in front of the throne. Hubby says it's the dog, I am doubtful.

[msraynsford]

Reminds me of this which I came up with the other day

[isychia]

This is awesome and I need it.

[captain Jack]

+1!

[wingtipsmith]

My kids just explained to me what I am looking at! Love it.

[ashwinlit]

It's a freakin' portal! Omg that is GENIUS!

[beba17]

wow cool idea i might...no...i will do this to my toilet sit =) at my new place love it!!! where can i get that glo paint....

[grannyjones]

We were using one of those UV air purifiers that looks like a Star Trek prop;
but the bulb died after about 6 months.
Still made a cool looking night light for the john.
Not sure how much good it did.

[captain Jack]

OK, so the million dollar question, now that i'm sure you've had this for a while.... How long will this paint finish last before it rubs off completely??

[darman12]

Ok, forgive me of my ignorance because i've only read the first step. If this is intended for the toilet ok, but if not, why wouldn't you get a new toilet seat?! Lol

[allthegoodnamesaretaken]

Step 1: Install blacklight
Step 2: Turn on said blacklight
Finished if you are a guy.

[bullets-]

i love it,and maybe a little glow stuff would rub off on to the ole lady's rear end,wow! just think!

[corycar]

My wife just trained me to sit down while ur-a-nating... And then there is NEVER an errant shot in the dark.. OR THE DREADED. "you didn't put the seat down" lecture... Because now I have no reason to put it up. Whipped? Nope... " happy wife=happy life".

But great idea for the kiddies bathroom!

[static]

Have you asked your wife why women never learned to make sure the toilet seat is in the down position before sitting down like mean have learned to do, whenever we have to take a dump? ;)

[gnach]

Ditto to the sitting and I don't miss if I've had one too many. But I think contrasting chevron arrows would be a help to the design.

[terry081253]

Is missing the target ACTUALLY worse than waking up the wife? Love the project all the same!

[menahunie]

LOL not really except if you leave the seat up.
You KNOW what happens when you do that? LoL In the Dog House..

[weldor]

maybe a whole glow in the dark toilet bowl? talk about freaking out grandma and grandpa and crazy aunt betty!
BTW-
It is not that we men fail to lower the toilet seat upon completion of our task at hand. It is that women fail to return the seat to the upright position. How could they be so inconsiderate? (all in good humor :) )