Mag 2c 3x CR123 mod - Please advise

[dw51]

I've said this before, but if you can get your hands on Rustoleum "reflective" clear paint, it works awesome for sputtering. The reflective properties help even more to smooth the beam out.

Pizzaman, you may want to use this in conjunction to your chrome spray paint as well. Just a thought. I don't know if the stuff is even available anymore. I bought mine about a year ago from the clearance aisle at Walmart.

 

[carbine15]

Guys.. I'm not gonna say it again...

Okay, one more time for the cheap seats...
USE HAIRSPRAY...
It's cheap, effective and most importantly reversible.

I have only used it on lights less than 10 watts. Sputtering smoothes the beam out nicely at the cost of some throw. I imagine that it's not as resistant to extreme temperatures as spray-paint options but should last for many years with no need to reapply. I place the removed reflector in a dry sink (bathroom sink) facing up. Then with quick passes from 12-18 inches away I evenly fog the area with hairspray. Allow at least 3 minutes to dry before installing permanently. Cleanup is a cinch cause you're already in the sink. Do as little as possible at first and check the results. Repeat as necessary to smooth out the beam. A little bit goes a long way.

If it runs (forms a drop) you'll need to wash it and wait for the water to dry. Don't wipe a reflector dry, you will scratch it. Also don't soak the reflector in water and only use mild soap. Metal reflectors are more resistant to scratches so wiping them dry with a soft cloth would be fine.

 

[ACMarina]

But he said he'd ruined a reflector and it wasn't shiny anymore, so hairspray wouldn't work for that.. You'd just be sputtering the blue plastic..

 

[swampgator]

Usually satin paints have more of a matte finish than gloss paints. I would probably go for the satin.

I just re-read this and realized I suffer from brain fade from time to time. What I meant to say was to go with a Gloss paint.

Okay, one more time for the cheap seats...
USE HAIRSPRAY...
It's cheap, effective and most importantly reversible.

If I was going to tinker with a reflector, I'd go with this method. I was only suggesting the painting of the reflector due to it's current state of damage. I'm all for the reversible aspect of any mod.

 

[Tessaiga]

this mod will put out about 120 lumens thereabouts?? for how long is this sustainable??? erm... meaning runtime???

 

[swampgator]

this mod will put out about 120 lumens thereabouts?? for how long is this sustainable??? erm... meaning runtime???

Probably about an hour or so. I've never run mine continously though.

 

[ACMarina]

I tried the hairspray method of reflector sputtering tonight and it seems to work best with aerosol style hairspray and not the pump method bottles. Too many drips that way.. just FYI. But it did work pretty well, took out a lot of the rings and stuff..

 

[Majord]

Some input from a rookie.
I just completed my 2C conversion. It was my first ever mod of any sort! It works great. I wet sanded the lamp and it does definitely smooth out the beam. However I actually got lucky and have a fairly nice beam out of an unfrosted version and obviously with better throw. I have the frosted lamp in the tail.
I also tried the hairspray technique on my minimag and it worked great also. I was just hanging out and didn't feel like going to the store for paint. Big difference in the beam. The aerosol is definitely the way to go. I tried both and the pump causes runs as ACMarina stated. I'm going to try it on my conversion and see how it works.

 

[ACMarina]

I think the sprayer in the pump kind just doesn't mist it out like the aerosol does.. I did it about a dozen times until I came up with something decent..

 

[AlexGT]

Hope this helps, 10 to 20 seconds on this stuff will work wonders on the Mag bulbs

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/120285

AlexGT

 

[AlexGT]

Here is a Mag 2C running with 2 Li-ions 18650 and a Mag 5Cell Xenonstar etched for 15 seconds. Surefire beam!


AlexGT

 

[ACMarina]

Sweet, I'm gonna start trying some new bulbs!!

 

[swampgator]

Sweet, I'm gonna start trying some new bulbs!!

I did this a few months back. Couple different types from RS as well as a few Rayovac and Mag bulbs. I always wind up going back to the RS KPR bulbs.

 

[firefly99]

Finally, I found the time to do something to the bulb. Just got a dremel and use that to frost the bulb.
Take me about half an hour to complete the job, as this is the 1st time I am using a dremel and try my best not to break the glass.

Got a much nicer beam (more Surefire like).