"Home made" colored lenses...? Is it possible? Any

chipjumper · Post by **chipjumper** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 11:47 pm

I noticed that several models of Halogen light heads are just plain old "$9.95" fog lights with colored lenses. BUT since they have the colored lenses the price goes up to $50.

Is it possible to color your own lenses? Dye? Paint? Plastic insert?

jim · Post by **jim** » Sat Nov 08, 2003 7:54 am

I'm sure it is....let us know!

If you go to a supplier for theatrical lighting, you can get optical grade color sheets for lighting. This is a colored layer of heat resistant plastic based sheeting that's about .010" thick.
Any color you want can be had.

shammond · Post by **shammond** » Sat Nov 08, 2003 8:26 am

I bought some transparent paint years ago and did this. Haven't looked for it in a while. I think I got it at K-Mart or Walmart.

They had transparent blue and red. Made real nice lights out of el-cheapo lights.

May be able to find it at a model shop if not at the marts.

Steve

FFParamedic571 · Post by **FFParamedic571** » Sat Nov 08, 2003 8:53 am

Testors Candy color works great. I used to find it at better hobby shops. It came in blue, red and green.

I use to use the green on the glass halogen sealed beams for the quad lights on the front of fire engines. A few light coats and then seal it with a clear coat.

Tech225 · Post by **Tech225** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 5:21 pm

The candy paints work real good. Get the ones rated as "engine paint". They hold up to the heat of the halogen bulb a little better.

chipjumper · Post by **chipjumper** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:41 pm

Whoa...who makes a "candy" engine paint???

Tech225 · Post by **Tech225** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:31 pm

I have found it at K-Mart, but haven't been in there for a while. I would guess that it would be a standard Auto Zone/Advance/Pep Boys item. It's out there.

JAYMZ · Post by **JAYMZ** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 12:50 pm

Any hobby shop that is worth anything would have the really nice and durable clear coated paints. A lot of those places would be dealing with anything from model railroading to model airplanes and just about any other hobby out there for that matter. I think Testors was mentioned which is a good brand to go by.

ROSDJS · Post by **ROSDJS** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 10:00 pm

Theatre guy had to speak up...lol. Gel is a great idea (colored plastic used for theatre lights). It's available in colors that you didnt even know existed, believe me. I've got a ton of swatchbooks if you'd like. ROSCO is one of the biggest producers of gel. Unfortunately it fades over time..

. I think your best bet would be lamp dip. It's designed to color light bulbs and glass thats subjected to high temperatures. I'm not sure about how it weathers, but I don't think it would be a problem. Lymelight would probably carry it, they're located not far from here. http://www.limelightproductions.com/ . The prices on Lampdip are very very reasonable, I might even have some laying around here somewhere.

Matt

WK9F · Post by **WK9F** » Sat Dec 06, 2003 9:01 am

Ok, another entertainment guy had to speak up:

You could also try Dichroic glass. Dichrioc glass is more resistant to heat and doesn't fade. It also produces what I believe to be a 'richer' color. You would have to devise a mounting system and the initial cost is a little higher, but it's cheaper than buying replacement colored lamps.

Jerry