Let's talk UV: bought a $19 light and made an interesting find (2024)

In all seriousness though, are there any MSDS or anything on Atsko? I'm curious if they're using sunscreen in their products as their UV blocker. Here's another link I dug up on their site: http://www.atsko.com/technicalinfo/ And another: http://www.atsko.com/washing-acu-army-combat-uniform/

Nutterbuster said:

Non treated. Idea is to contrast wet uv killer with just wet fabric to see if there's a difference.

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Ok bear with me as I try to explain this. I've posted the regular picture and then a markup to help direct your eyes to the appropriate areas. Red is the first application of UV Killer (still wet, although it ran a bit since earlier today). Orange is where I applied regular tap water. Also, keep an open mind because the pictures are being taken from a crappy cellphone camera and then screenshot to upload to SH. What I mean by that is the quality is going way down.

I put the copy paper and the paper plate on top here tip show the contrast of the two against the treated area.


Please continue with questions/suggestions cause this is fun!

As per Atsko @ http://www.atsko.com/u-v-killer-information/:

"8. I've treated my camo and I still see a blue glow with my UV light source. Does this mean that it is not working?
Two possibilities exist. First, you may be seeing only visible blue and assuming it is UV. U-V-Killer does not block visible blue because blocking it would change the appearance of your camo in the visible spectrum, (We assume that you chose a pattern & color that appear to be right for the terrain you hunt). The UV light source, even the flashlight we sell, has some visible violet wavelengths present, and if all UV is absorbed you will still see some of this visible violet. If you place a single drop of U-V-Killer on a piece of brightened white paper or cloth and check it with the light source, you will see a dramatic difference because the brighteners are seen more on white. This demonstrates how effectively the absorber in U-V-Killer is working. You may be assured that a good application of U-V-Killer is just as effective on your camo and blaze orange.
The second possibility is that the application wasn't sufficient. Excess brighteners on the cloth will float to the surface of the U-V-Killer treatment. These excess brighteners must be removed by first washing with Sport-Wash. Wash twice if in doubt. Clean old detergent residue (which is full of brighteners) from washer by washing non-camouflage clothing inSport-Wash before washing your camo. Be sure to dry your camo (according to the care tag instructions) before treating with U-V-Killer . When applying U-V-Killer imagine you are applying a light coat of paint to the exterior surface. You want to cover every thread. If the spray is leaving spots, gaps, or streaks use a small brush, cloth, or even your hand to spread it back and forth. A bubbly white froth will remain visible up on the surface for a few minutes so that you can see that the coverage is complete. Check your progress with a black light.
To properly check your camo under black light you must use a true Ultraviolet fluorescent light source. There are at least three domestic manufacturers of Ultraviolet tubes, for example- General Electric "BL", Westinghouse "BL", and Sylvania "Black light 350". These black light tubes have radiation peaks at 350 nanometers. They will activate brighteners (like Tinopal by CIBA GEIGY) which are common in detergents. Manufacturers also offer "BLB" tubes. These are better because they have a blue filter to block visible wavelengths, they appear blue and are marked "BLB". They cost more but make it much easier to detect UV Brighteners. A true UV light source will enable you to make a complete check of all your hunting gear and provides a way to double check yourself once you have treated your equipment with U-V-Killer products."

slydog said:

Try your UV light on some blaze orange clothing and see if it glows. If it does I have had deer 15' from me while rifle hunting on the ground and they didn't have a problem with it until I moved. How did we ever manage to kill deer? Next we will be worrying about the magnetic field of compound bows compared to recurves and aluminum arrows well that just adds another dimension to worry about.

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Deer don't perceive those colors because they lack red cones. They are dichromatic.

Jtaylor said:

I'm curious if they're using sunscreen in their products as their UV blocker.

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They've got to be using something like that.

bowhunthard88 said:

If I'm not mistaken, UV Killer will work better with fabrics that it can soak into...

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Yes. Their directions say to apply to damp clothing, brush in, and then let dry. Because I'm impatient and it's not laundry day yet, I skipped the damp part.

Jtaylor said:

In all seriousness though, are there any MSDS or anything on Atsko? I'm curious if they're using sunscreen in their products as their UV blocker. Here's another link I dug up on their site: http://www.atsko.com/technicalinfo/ And another: http://www.atsko.com/washing-acu-army-combat-uniform/

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@Redbeard: nice thought-provoking thread! I personally never paid any attention to UV reflection or suppression ... figured it was just another way the big sporting goods stores try to take your money, but after reading the content in this thread, I’m forming a different opinion. Probably merits checking my gear myself - just as you did.

@Jtaylor: The UV killer product has to be absorbing the incoming UV light, just like the color black absorbs the visible light spectrum, whereas the color white reflects it. I would venture a guess that sunscreen is doing the opposite (reflecting UV).

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Weldabeast said:

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To be fair, some mulies are dumber than a box of rocks. I wouldn't be too surprised to see one bedded down in the back of my pickup after hunting.

bowhunthard88 said:

Pertaining to the Broadside Camo, I would be willing to bet that there is a fair amount of visible blue in their color pallete as well, not just UV.

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Anyone with a kestrel flex in broadside camo want to test this and get back to us?

Red Beard said:

Did a test application. The center of each garment was treated. Both were still wet from spraying at the time of these photos. The pictures don't show it well but the white is significantly subdued. Not gone mind you, but subdued. Left the copy paper and paper plate in there for reference.

The directions say not to wear for 24hrs so maybe they'll get better with time?
View attachment 32244View attachment 32245

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Are you going to sell your Aero Evo or just paint it black? Mine is pretty bright. I may try some dye. I'll take a few before and after UV enhanced photos.

slydog said:

Try your UV light on some blaze orange clothing and see if it glows. If it does I have had deer 15' from me while rifle hunting on the ground and they didn't have a problem with it until I moved. How did we ever manage to kill deer? Next we will be worrying about the magnetic field of compound bows compared to recurves and aluminum arrows well that just adds another dimension to worry about.

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That's why I only use compounds with magnesium (non-magnetic) risers.

Weldabeast said:

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Twice I have shot bucks that the bullet's impact splattered blood on my clothes. The closest, I never even shouldered my rifle, impact was 4" from the end of the barrel. I think I'd have had a hard time not putting that one down.

My UV flashlight showed up yesterday. It's a good news/bad news situation.

Good news: None of my my hunting packs/clothes glow in the light with the exception of a couple of really dark gray sweatshirts I use as under layers.

Bad News: My wife looked at the carpeting and the walls in the house (we have three Labradors) and freaked out. Now she wants a full scrubbing and new carpeting.

boyne bowhunter said:

My UV flashlight showed up yesterday. It's a good news/bad news situation.

Good news: None of my my hunting packs/clothes glow in the light with the exception of a couple of really dark gray sweatshirts I use as under layers.

Bad News: My wife looked at the carpeting and the walls in the house (we have three Labradors) and freaked out. Now she wants a full scrubbing and new carpeting.

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Carpet is filthy. I have none of it in my home and never will. I've pulled up too much carpet and seen the filth accumulated under it.

boyne bowhunter said:

My UV flashlight showed up yesterday. It's a good news/bad news situation.

Good news: None of my my hunting packs/clothes glow in the light with the exception of a couple of really dark gray sweatshirts I use as under layers.

Bad News: My wife looked at the carpeting and the walls in the house (we have three Labradors) and freaked out. Now she wants a full scrubbing and new carpeting.

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EDIT: Just realized the title of the thread is "Quite possibly the best $19 I have spent . . .", I think I may need to take exception to that statement. Like everything else here this forum is gonna cause me to spend more money!