Glowing White Spider Web
- Method 1
In
the following example, we used the white colored
"Black Widow Spider Web" Halloween decoration
manufactured by Fun World. Actually, its not really
white, more like a natural off white or tan in
color. When stretched out, this
cotton rope spider web creates a large nine foot in
diameter spider web. These giant webs come in
two different colors, black and white, and are
usually available at "Michaels Arts & Crafts" or
"Joann Fabrics" during the Halloween season. Note -
The cotton spider web will absorb the
phosphor's in the
"RIT Whitener/Brightener"
solution much better than webs made out of nylon.
To treat
a white colored cotton rope spider web,
fill a large plastic tub or bucket with enough warn water to completely cover the
spider web, but don't put the spider web in yet. Next, stir in
the entire packet of "RIT Whitener/Brightener" until it is well
dissolved in the water. Only use as water as
necessary so that the solution will be as strong as
possible. Avoid using hot water as
this may cause the cotton that the rope spider web
is made from to shrink. "RIT
Whitener/Brightener" causes this glowing effect because of the
reaction between the
phosphor's in
the whitener/brightener and the ultraviolet light
produced by a black light bulb.
Now
you can fully immerse the spider web into the
solution and let it soak for about an hour,
occasionally stirring the mixture and rope around.
After it has soaked for an hour, don't
rinse out the spider web, simply wring it out by
hand and let it dry completely on a clothes line.
After removing the web from the clothes line, hose
off the line to remove any residual "RIT" or the
next clothes you hang up will become contaminated
and may ruin your clothes. Do not dry the treated
web in a clothes dryer, as the RIT will coat the
inside of the dryer and the next clothes you dry in
it will become contaminated and may ruin your
clothes.
Next,
hang up the giant spider web in the desired location
using the appropriate fasteners such as tacks,
nails, cup-hooks, fishing line, etc. Try to stretch the web out
evenly in all directions, so that it is uniform in
shape. The final step is to use black light source
to illuminate the web. A fluorescent
"Twist" black light bulb
works
great when placed in a metal parabolic housing such as a "Clamp Lamp".
You can also use a four foot tube black light
fixture. You will want to
try to position the black light unit so the it's light is directed onto the
surface of the spider web, but where your visitors cannot see the black light unit,
such as behind a tombstone.
Glowing Black Spider Web
- Method 2
If
you use the black colored "Black Widow Spider
Web", you won't be able to make it glow very well
with the RIT technique. This is because the black
rope will not absorb as much of the
phosphor's.
Instead, you can use
"Black Light
Hair Spray",
manufactured by Fun World, to add a coating to the
web, causing it to glow
under black light, although not as brightly as a
white spider web.
Glowing Black Spider Web
If
you use the black colored "Black Widow Spider
Web", you won't be able to make it glow very well
with the RIT technique. This is because the black
rope will not absorb as much of the
phosphor's.
Instead, you can use
"Black Light
Hair Spray",
manufactured by Fun World, to add a coating to the
web, causing it to glow
under black light, although not as brightly as a
white spider web.
To apply, hang up the web on a clothes line and spray it down with the "Black Light Spray".
Since this
spray goes on nearly invisible, it
is much easier to apply when the web is illuminated
by a black light source, allowing your to see the
spray as its applied to the rope. Use the spray
generously, covering the entire web.
Be sure to hose down the clothes line afterwards, or
the next time you use it for clothes residual glow
spray may get on your clothes.
