Window Tinting on Carboy

[OhSoHumuLonely]

Hey guys, I'm just wondering if you knew of any good reason why I shouldn't apply some kind of UV-blocking tint to the outside of my glass carboys.

I want something that allows a fair amount of light through so I know how far down to hold my syphon, etc. but I've just had a bit of a scare where I got distracted and forgot to cover my carboy for a few hours in indirect sunlight. Therefore, to up consistency and make my equipment more forgiving of my brain-dead-ery, I've been considering a window tint.

Thanks guys.

 

[Pie_Man]

That should work, although many carboys have raised designs which will probably affect the UV tinting's adherence to the glass. I have seen people use t-shirts and upside down paper grocery bags to block the UV, but I guess you can tint if you want to.

Edit: assuming the tint it really dark, like the tint you'll probably get pulled over for if it's on your car, limo style tint color.

 

[IslandLizard]

I'll throw in the dark thick towel...

 

[OhSoHumuLonely]

The purpose of the tint is more for when I forget those things. Usually I remember, but it doesn't take too much sun light to have an effect.

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[IslandLizard]

I would not rely on the tinting foil. It only takes a few minutes of the right wavelength photons to cleave your Isohumulone.

Can you put the carboy in a dark closet? But don't forget to turn off the light...

 

[OhSoHumuLonely]

Well it states on the website that it blocks 99% of UV light. I think it should up consistency in general. Most of the process takes place in white plastic buckets, but as I said, I usually have something covering it, it would just be for the case that my brain failed. I think.... I may have a skunking experiment on the way!

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[AndMan3030]

rdwhahb

 

[passedpawn]

I wouldn't worry about occasional exposure to indirect sunlight. But if you want to go crazy (something we specialize in here at HBT), you could spray it with Minwax Spar Urethane. It has UV blockers and is available in an aerosol can. I coat my front doors every few years to protect from sunlight.

 

[virginiawolf]

Maybe tint the windows of your brewing area this way all of your carboys might benefit or bottles too. Just a thought. I like your idea. I would think tinting would be good for a few hours or the occasional forgetfulness. I use heavy duty black trash bags over my carboys if I need to put them where light will hit. I think that's why the glass is brown on bottles. It aims to prevent light from striking the liquid. Cool Idea!!

 

[passedpawn]

I have fermented saisons outdoors here in FL. I just put a tshirt over the carboy.

 

[Rhumbline]

I use a hooded sweatshirt, they're perfect.

 

[Zuljin]

I use a closet.

 

[passedpawn]

I use a closet.

Hmmm....

 

[OhSoHumuLonely]

I usually do basement with a hoodie around it. Getting a bit cold down there, however. Mid 40's.

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[MaxStout]

I put a black plastic garbage bag over it. Keeps out the light and keeps my cat from chewing on the airlock.

 

[petrolSpice]

I used an old pillow case to cover mine, and I cut a hole in the top so the airlock can fit through, near perfect fit for the carboy. It's also kept in the closet.

 

[thadass]

I wonder if the tint film would be any good at preventing glass shards everywhere if something bad were to happen to the carboy

 

[Rhumbline]

I wonder if the tint film would be any good at preventing glass shards everywhere if something bad were to happen to the carboy

Probably not, but they do make security film that's applied just like window tint. I'm not sure how it would conform to the surface features.

 

[augiedoggy]

I wonder if the tint film would be any good at preventing glass shards everywhere if something bad were to happen to the carboy

I had one explode in my den and spray my whole bar area with stout..... Airlock plugged been using better bottles mainly since then with black t shirts over them.

 

[MaxStout]

Another thing to consider before adhering something on the outside of a carboy, is if you ever set it in a swamp cooler, that stuff will come off. I have tried applying a few different kinds of tape on the outside to make gallon marks, all of which have eventually come loose from being immersed in water.

 

[smccarter]

Hey guys, I'm just wondering if you knew of any good reason why I shouldn't apply some kind of UV-blocking tint to the outside of my glass carboys.

I want something that allows a fair amount of light through so I know how far down to hold my syphon, etc. but I've just had a bit of a scare where I got distracted and forgot to cover my carboy for a few hours in indirect sunlight. Therefore, to up consistency and make my equipment more forgiving of my brain-dead-ery, I've been considering a window tint.

Thanks guys.

I say do it. What a great idea. We should all follow your lead, and I can't believe that nobody has ever done this before... it's a breakthrough in home brewing technique.

I think that was what you were looking for. Thought I'd give it to you.

Please let us know how it turns out for you ... with pictures.

Please read all of that with a supportive tone. If it seems harsh, it wasn't meant to be.

 

[OhSoHumuLonely]

I was hoping more people would say something along the lines of "This is a good idea because..." or "This is a bad idea because..."

I mean, it's cool if you want to say how you keep your beer light-free, but my point was that I'm a space case am known for getting... uh... what was I saying?

 

[IslandLizard]

Yes, it IS an interesting idea. As mentioned before, water infiltration between fermentor and foil is a problem (it will grow mold) as well as adhesion in general, over time.

I would test the UV blocking claims (99%) and at which range? I don't know the exact wavelength where the Isohumolone cleaving starts. Is it UV or longer?

Won't white plastic buckets (opaque, not the semi-transparent ones) simply block all UV anyway?

 

[hotspurdotus]

My gut says bad idea.

What about a spray on tint? I have no idea if it would be effective, but seems a lot easier to work with than the sheet stuff in this scenario.

Krylon makes a UV resistant clear coat.

http://www.krylon.com/products/uvresistant-clear-coating/

It would probably just make a mess but since we're spitballing...

 

[OhSoHumuLonely]

Spray on was what I was actually considering, but didn't mention that because either has its merits.

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[OhSoHumuLonely]

I have access to a UV-Vis, but I'm trying to figure out how I would measure light blocking of a solid with one of them. They're usually used for solutions, but I see no reason a solid couldn't be used. I am going to have to get more settled into lab before I go can use the instrumentation extensively, but I will usually find any way I can not to get my actual work done. I am a skilled procrastinator.

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[MaxStout]

I have access to a UV-Vis, but I'm trying to figure out how I would measure light blocking of a solid with one of them. They're usually used for solutions, but I see no reason a solid couldn't be used. I am going to have to get more settled into lab before I go can use the instrumentation extensively, but I will usually find any way I can not to get my actual work done. I am a skilled procrastinator.

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Couldn't you measure the UV penetration of the material with a black light? Put something fluorescent on the other side and see if the UV lights it up. Rather unscientific, but you could try a before-and-after with the film and roughly determine how well it cuts UV.

 

[Zuljin]

Find someone with auto tint eyeglasses. The pair I wear are activated by UV. If they don't get dark, you've successfully blocked UV. It may not be lab factor four, but it'll give you an idea.

 

[passedpawn]

I've measured the uv attenuation of the spar urethane I recommended earlier. I used a uv spectrometer and a UVB LED (319nm). Almost 100% atten.

 

[augiedoggy]

My vote is on a black T-shirt....To me, its much easier to see if the carboy is cleaned properly when to can see clearly inside as well as see how the beer is clearing up...
Why not just use a bucket if its too difficult to remember to cover the carboy?