I use the paint 'cause I only paint one side. Green is brighter than blue, I've tried them both. Use a white primer first - not much paint is compatible with this stuff but flat Krylon is close. Takes a bunch of coats to get the real bright glow that you want. Seems like pretty durable stuff, but I repaint my spoons after I have caught enough fish on them that teeth start to take the paint off - every other trip on those 30 shaker days! Good luck with it