Batboard

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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