Diffuser, discovered by accident.

[abvidledUK]

Having upgraded a small MXDL CR123 torch with a mini Cree Star, the beam was much brighter, but was of very poor quality, bright spots, dark holes, very blotchy.

Due in part to the fact that I could not screw down the reflector far enough to correctly focus the Cree beam.

Then I discovered what appeared to be a smudge on the inside of the glass, actually plastic, lens.

Using my usual cleaning solution, ie Nail Polish remover, I wiped the lens.

Instant cloudy and diffuse lens.

However, upon re-assembling the torch, it now had a beautifully smooth and even beam.

I lost a smidgens in output, but the new beam is well worth any slight drop in performance.

So, first of all, a warning, be careful what you clean a plastic lens with, secondly, what a nice & easy way to diffuse a non-perfect beam.

No beam shots, but well worth it.

 

[Flying Turtle]

Nail polish remover is basically acetone, which will definitely do a job on most plastics. I'll bet it did "frost" the lens nicely.

Geoff

 

[Marduke]

For a similar, but somewhat more reversible effect, try the frosty type of scotch/packing tape. If you go to take it back off later, just be careful of using acetone to clean off the glue residue.....

 

[Eskimonio]

Good points above, re:the reversible tape option.

FWIW I have found lighter fluid (like that used in zippo lighters) is a VERY good cleaner, and much less damaging than acetone for a variety of purposes.

I have used it to clean off duct tape residue as well as car emblems (well, really the lettering, not the emblem) and it is fairly kind to most paints and finishes, including every plastic I've ever used it on.

Just a thought in case you want to rethink using acetone as your first-line residue cleaner.

 

[gearbox]

Acetone will f up almost any kind of common plastic or rubber. At work I use it to clean up welds before inspection and I hate how easily it eats through nitrile and latex gloves. Even thick kitchen gloves will bleed color. That means I need to risk handling acetone directly to get a good cleaning.
As a matter of course, please avoid handling acetone and similar solvents directly -- these agents act to allow any contamination to defeat the protection your skin provides. ie, poisons, chemicals, etc., will be easily absorbed into your body.

Try using Simple Green as a general cleaner. It's great. Cheap, useful, effective, gentle. I've converted to using it to soak gun parts in. I tried isopropyl alcohol, ammonia, mineral spirits and regular Hoppe's solvent. Simple Green is The Way.

As far as purposefully using acetone to diffuse a lens, myself, I wouldn't try it because I have the worst luck. My first attempt would be insufficient, the second attempt would be a warped potato chip of plastic. Good on ya for your success

 

[abvidledUK]

My main use is to wipe off the permanent! ink from Sharpie used to label CD/DVD's that I have recorded on DVD recorder, and then I use in my iMac when problems occur on DVD Recorder.

iMac gets around some disk errors.

Some brands are better than others.

 

[TORCH_BOY]

I used scotch tape over mine