Just starting to experiment with full spectrum lights to whiten my skulls with. I had -20 this morning so obviously i can no longer put my wet peroxides skulls outside in the sun. I use to just put them in a south facing window while my wife and i were at work but can no longer do that since we had a change in jobs and are now home during the day. In otherwords the kitchen table is now out for putting skulls on to whiten. My shop is in the basement and i now have a couple of 48" shop lights with full spectrum lighting. It seems to be working fairly well but i still prefer direct sunlight if given the opportunity. It is a little too early to draw conclusions but would appreciate some feedback and tips by someone who may have a bit more experience. Info such as how long it takes or distance lights should hang above skulls or how well it works for you. I was wondering what places like Skulls Unlimited does with theirs? Since this is new to me I appreciate any ideas on the subject. Thanks and have a great holiday season. Skullery....Jeff
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I don't think the full spectrum lighting produces UVR or IRL at any appreciable rate, else you would become sunburned sitting under them. Lots of folks never sit skulls in sunlight for bleaching. I do here, cause we have it. Another large shop ner heare doesn't put any skull out in the sunlight, unless normal bleaching doesn't produce the effect they desire. Maybe one of the "grow" lights used for indoor gardening may be of more use.....dunno.
My old studio had those balanced "natural light" systms throughout, and I never figured they did much but produce the spectrum by having one cool tube and one warm tube which combined to produce the light components without radiation.
In salt water Aquariums they ue metal halides to grow hard corals and clams that are dependent on a full spectrum of light. The only problem with these lights are they get very hot. But if you are trying to mimic the sun these lights will give you a sunburn if not used correctly.
Heat accelerates the bleaching effect, those lights may do the trick. Sunlight effects, while weaker in winter light in northern climes, still produces a bleaching effect. You can get sunburned in the middle of a glacier.