tiny interior light question

***tuner student*** · 04-03-2008, 07:57 PM

I used a DIY for lighting the floor boards and cup holders from this site (forgot who did it) as a guide when i did my car. The person took LEDs and used a dremal to sand the lights flat to spread the light and get rid of the dots. well (due to what i had to work with) i have LEDs that are in a plastic dome to light the floor boards. they spread the light well but creat an egg like shape light instead of red dots. my question is if i used sand paper and scuff up the domes real well do u think it will spread the light? or is there some easy way to fix this?

Aastan · 04-03-2008, 08:42 PM

Yes it will.

Cr8tive_leo · 04-03-2008, 08:51 PM

Scratching / cutting the plastic will create more facets for the light to reflect off of.
So it will create a larger dispursion pattern.

so.. yes it will.

***tuner student*** · 04-03-2008, 11:17 PM

sweet any clue of about how much i need to scuff it up. i no its hard to tell/describe but just wondering. i don't want to diminish the brightness that much hopefully

Cr8tive_leo · 04-04-2008, 08:54 AM

You can use aluminum foil too to make a 'light shade' , even though most leds are directional, (light goes where it's pointed) you can reflect the light too by adding some reflective materials. Aluminum foil is awesome for that.

Try it, experiment. take the led, wrap half with almunium foil, and another one without, see how they compare. It may be what you are looking for.

If you cut the led with a dremel you will get better reults then with just sanding.

Sanding will cover the surface with micro cuts, you might want to just scuff the top of the led, the 'bulge' so the light is dispersed there, but the sides are clear and radiate normally.

04-03-2008, 07:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
*tuner student* VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: stationed in Newburgh NY/ born and raised in orlando, fl Posts: 3,182 Andrew iTrader: 9 / 100%	tiny interior light question I used a DIY for lighting the floor boards and cup holders from this site (forgot who did it) as a guide when i did my car. The person took LEDs and used a dremal to sand the lights flat to spread the light and get rid of the dots. well (due to what i had to work with) i have LEDs that are in a plastic dome to light the floor boards. they spread the light well but creat an egg like shape light instead of red dots. my question is if i used sand paper and scuff up the domes real well do u think it will spread the light? or is there some easy way to fix this?

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04-03-2008, 08:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Aastan Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Charleston , SC Age: 32 Posts: 77 Aastan iTrader: 0 / 0%	Yes it will.

04-03-2008, 08:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cr8tive_leo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 40 Posts: 10,333 Adrian iTrader: 8 / 100%	Scratching / cutting the plastic will create more facets for the light to reflect off of. So it will create a larger dispursion pattern. so.. yes it will.

04-03-2008, 11:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
*tuner student* VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: stationed in Newburgh NY/ born and raised in orlando, fl Posts: 3,182 Andrew iTrader: 9 / 100%	sweet any clue of about how much i need to scuff it up. i no its hard to tell/describe but just wondering. i don't want to diminish the brightness that much hopefully

04-04-2008, 08:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cr8tive_leo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 40 Posts: 10,333 Adrian iTrader: 8 / 100%	You can use aluminum foil too to make a 'light shade' , even though most leds are directional, (light goes where it's pointed) you can reflect the light too by adding some reflective materials. Aluminum foil is awesome for that. Try it, experiment. take the led, wrap half with almunium foil, and another one without, see how they compare. It may be what you are looking for. If you cut the led with a dremel you will get better reults then with just sanding. Sanding will cover the surface with micro cuts, you might want to just scuff the top of the led, the 'bulge' so the light is dispersed there, but the sides are clear and radiate normally.