Hi ...
Briteling
I've checked Watchlume USA powders on eBay and it seems to be exaclty the same product I use, with another name (mine is GLOWINTHEDARK powders).
The UV glue method seems to be really interesting and I'll probably give a try ... I just wonder if I could still use watercolors to color the lume
Yes, it is really not the price difference that will matter, one buy of the kit with five colors and you're good for a full lifetime...
Yes, water based is possible, but you need to first apply some to a piece of plastic like polyethylene (shampoo bottle) then when dry after some minutes you can use a crumb of the crust to grind down with a flatblade screwdriver and mix straight away with the lume powder and UV binder.
I mixed white, light and dark brown water colors in a bit darker tint as needed, as once dry it will become lighter, and once mixed with lume powder it will again. So make it dark cookie dough color, then you'll be good.
The mixture will be nicely thick and creamy, and with two needles you can apply it nicely. I went for a not too perfect result, but you can make it very smooth and perfect, as said, you'll have all the time in the world to perfect it....
I've also lumed hands this way from the front. I chemically remove old lume with acetone or alcohol, then stick the hands to a block of metal, on which I applied some sticker sheet backing, so the hands can be removed fairly easy. The ends of the hand I stick down with some rodico. With this method at least you'll immediately see the result.
If you need bright lume, smear some white paint on the back afterwards.