Black Light Neon Mural on Glass Entrance at My Thai, Manchester
- Client: My Thai Restaurant
- Location: Manchester Piccadilly, One Portland Street, UK
- Theme: Pop Art x Black Light Graffiti fusion, Thai street culture
- Dimensions: Approx. 18.5 m² surface area
- Duration: 2 to 4 days including preparation
- Materials: Specialist UV-reactive ink in paint pens and markers by Posca, Molotow, Liquitex; masking tape; alcohol cleaner; matte lacquer key coat, 2k clear lacquer top coat.
- Objective: Create an immersive black light painting on glass that welcomes guests with a vibrant Bangkok street scene and sets the tone from the very first step inside the venue.
Ready to Make an Entrance?
Want your glass to glow and your doorway to become a neon portal? Send me a message and let’s talk about making your entrance into a black light glass mural.
Design and Preparation
As with my other feature pieces, the mural began as a digital mock-up. The client selected and approved the concept, and I then refined it on site to fit the glass entrance perfectly. Proper glass preparation was essential. I deep cleaned the panes, wiped them with alcohol, masked the frames, and applied a matte lacquer to give the surface tooth for the paint to bond. Once dry, I worked freehand with a mix of UV-reactive and non-UV paint pens and inks. While it may appear simple at first glance, the level of drawing and layering is highly detailed, inviting viewers to get lost in its many intricacies. Finally, the piece was sealed with a top coat of gloss lacquer to give it a polished finish. Under black light the mural glows vividly from either side of the glass, and additional LED strip lighting can enhance the effect even further.
Visual Impact
Walking in, patrons are surrounded by pop art sketches on glass from all sides, creating a fully immersive black light entrance experience. Both glass walls are filled with playful Thai references and pop art energy. Expect Yaaksha giants, Asian dragons, Thai lettering, 7-Eleven signage, street cats dreaming of fish, a monkey holding a Thai flag and a Muay Thai fighter kicking a dish of krapow, complete with comic-book style lettering that bursts out with “KRAPOW!”. In daylight the colours appear crisp and graphic. Under black light, the UV layers ignite and the corridor transforms into a glowing tunnel of Bangkok nightlife and Thai culture. The result is a surreal entrance that encourages guests to pause, smile, and capture photos before they even sit down.
Client Response
The client loved the outcome. They felt it exceeded expectations, brought the vision to life, and set the tone for the restaurant perfectly. The entrance now acts as a signature moment that guests remember.
Style and Artistic Inspiration
This black light reactive glass painting channels the vibrancy of Bangkok’s Song Wat area through a pop art lens. Bold outlines, punchy colour blocks, and humorous details meet traditional Thai motifs and city iconography. The combination celebrates Thai culture while keeping a contemporary street-art attitude suited to a modern hospitality space.
Global Applications of Black Light Glass Murals
Glass is everywhere in hospitality and retail. Black light glass entrance murals work beautifully for restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels, galleries, and experiential pop-ups. The approach scales from a small doorway to long corridors and atriums, and the design can be tailored to any culture, brand, or theme. If your venue needs a high-impact welcome that photographs well and works day and night, a UV reactive glass painting is a powerful choice.
Why Create a Black Light Glass Entrance Mural?
- Visibility: Highly photogenic and shareable, ideal for social media.
- UV glow: Dual impact in daylight and under black light.
- Durability: Proper surface prep and sealing keep the artwork looking fresh.
- Customisation: Designed around your story, location, and audience.
Send me a message and let’s talk about making your entrance into a black light glass mural.
Want to see how this installation fits into the bigger picture? Check out the full project overview of My Thai Manchester.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paints do you use on glass?
I use specialist UV-reactive acrylic paint pens and inks. A light matte lacquer is often applied first to give the glass a fine key so the paint bonds cleanly.
How long does a glass entrance mural take?
This entrance took three to four days including preparation. Depending on size and complexity, future projects typically take a minimum of 1 day to complete.
Is it durable and easy to clean?
Yes. With correct preparation and sealing, the artwork is hard-wearing. Routine light cleaning is fine. Avoid harsh abrasives.
Does a glass mural block light or visibility?
No. The design is planned to maintain brightness and sightlines. Colours and lacquer type can be balanced for transparency or opacity as needed.
Can you adapt the style to our brand or city?
Absolutely. I tailor painting to your theme, colour palette, and reference your brand, location, and audience. I accept commissions worldwide.
