LED diffusion question

Ask and answer questions, share tips and resources for installing lighting and other electronics in your models.

Moderators: Sparky, Moderators

Post Reply
Buzzbomb
Posts: 966
Joined: Sun Aug 15, 2004 9:06 pm
Location: Melbourne, Orstralya
Contact:

LED diffusion question

Post by Buzzbomb »

Doing the 1/72 Gunstar kit and putting a single LED in each of the engine pods. Using some 5mm Cyan LED's for a change.

My real question is do you folks have any ideas on ways/techniques to make the LED light more diffused rather than the specific bright single glow in that sort of engine bell arrangement ?

I did think of getting some of the "flickering" LED's but undecided so far.. the cyan looks pretty cool I reckon anyway.

Thanks Brian T
It's not a toy!.... it's an accurate scale representation of a craft that doesn't actually exist.
User avatar
Joseph Osborn
Posts: 1323
Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:22 pm
Location: Alabamastan
Contact:

Post by Joseph Osborn »

You could sand the LED to create a dull surface that will disperse the light around a little. You could also try putting some frosty clear plastic in front of the LED to diffuse the light. If the spot still looks too "hot", you could try finding another LED with a larger viewing angle.
User avatar
Rogviler
Posts: 4379
Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:04 pm
Location: Colorado

Post by Rogviler »

If space/visibility allows, I really like milk jug plastic for diffusing light like that.

-Rog
Buzzbomb
Posts: 966
Joined: Sun Aug 15, 2004 9:06 pm
Location: Melbourne, Orstralya
Contact:

Post by Buzzbomb »

Both great suggestions.

Let the experimentation commence !

thanks guys
It's not a toy!.... it's an accurate scale representation of a craft that doesn't actually exist.
Ant
Posts: 521
Joined: Tue Nov 19, 2002 8:02 am
Location: Oxford UK
Contact:

Post by Ant »

Mix a tiny bit of white acrylic paint into clear epoxy glue, then daub over the led. Instant diffusion!
User avatar
modelnutz
Posts: 1598
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2005 11:43 am
Location: behind the big desk

Post by modelnutz »

Polyfill ( pillow stuffing material ) will spread the light quite nicely
Post Reply