Reddit mentions of 3M Scotchlite Reflective Tape, 03455, 1 in x 36 in

I have quite a bit of experience with retroreflective material. You don't need to worry about IR wavelengths as all visible light retroreflectors (generally beads or corner cubes) will work (almost) just as well for near infrared wavelengths.You can buy some paints that have some retroreflective beads in it, but they're not remotely strong enough to really do what you want. Most of the beads are totally coated with paint, so you end up with really poor coverage.You could buy some retroreflective beads and glue them onto your arrows (lying right at the surface of the glue), but unless you did a lot of experimentation, I'm guessing the durability would be really disappointing.The absolute best retroreflectors are corner cubes, but they need an air gap meaning that small regions have to be sealed all the way around the edges to prevent water ingress. It's not impossible, but again, you'll be fiddling with details that you shouldn't have to.Here's an example of this product. https://www.amazon.com/TapeCase-3430-0-5in-White-Reflective/dp/B007Y7I1LWNote the grey pattern that seals the shiny regions to keep water out. Everywhere you cut the seal, water will defeat the reflectivity.What you really want is a beaded retroreflector, preferably with a silver backing to increase the reflection. Look for a uniform look (with no seal pattern). You can get different colors, but white will always reflect most strongly (and avoid blue and green for sure if you want to use IR)

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchlite-Reflective-Silver-36-Inch/dp/B000BQSY6K

Even the smallest sliver of this tape will reflect back to the light's source, although I don't know if this particular tape is thin enough and the adhesive strong enough to really pull down on a tightly curved shaft. Honestly, I'd stick it down with some epoxy or superglue if it didn't obviously conform.

I've had some of this tape (or a similar beaded version) on my bicycling shoes for years. Bits have rubbed off and it looks ragged since I heavily use the toes and heals to push and pull on things, but I've been really impressed that where I didn't actually rub it, it has stayed on.

FULL DISCLOSURE -- I work for 3M. I don't get paid to post on social media, but I am required to disclose my employment when I discuss 3M products so here's my 3M throwaway. There are other 3M and non 3M retroreflective options out there you should consider. I honestly just picked the first two products on Amazon that showed up on my Google search (and to be fair, my Google search probably knows I sometimes look for 3M products).

[EDIT] One more note -- using IR is really weird in this application. Retroreflective material will shoot light back at the source, so it'll flash brightly whether you're using IR or visible light. Honestly, unless you're being chased by zombies, I'd just use a bright flashlight to look for things tagged with retroreflective material. If you don't have a ridiculously powerful flashlight powered by lithium ion cells, go over to /r/flashlight and they'll sort you out.

It fucks up the aesthetics, adds weight and anything screwed on can rattle or come off. Especially when you ride a road bike with high tyre pressure on cobblestones.

That's why I replaced my reflectors with reflective tape. Especially the 3M foil is more visible than the typical plastic reflectors.

Practically no weight, won't come off and doesn't look as messy. There's even tape that's black in diffuse light. However, the reflection angle of that is very narrow. So it's a questionable compromise.

IIRC any highly reflective material will suffice, e.g. something like this

You can also buy 3M reflective tape and cut to whatever length and shape you want to stick on your wheels and frame. The 3M stuff is very high quality and stays on. It also removes cleanly.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchlite-Reflective-Silver-36-Inch/dp/B000BQSY6K/

I have a zefal bike light attached to my backpack like so.

I was also going to get this reflective tape the other day to line the bottom of my helmet in, but then I decided that being able to go incagnito incognito (downtown chicago at night; cops and thugs) if I need to is better and that the light is enough for now.

not sure if this is exactly the same as what op used but i found this

Here we are required to have reflective tape on the back of our helmets. I guess you could write a short message with it, like "BACK OFF" (I for one made a big cross with it on the back. Because it seems to me to be more noticeable than the standard single line)

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchlite-Reflective-Silver-36-Inch/dp/B000BQSY6K/ref=pd_sim_469_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=MRG68ZQ7MJ0D875BXZV4