reflectors

PANZERWOLF

Newly Enlightened
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Jan 9, 2005
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austria
is there a way to texture a smooth reflector?
i'm thinking on the lines of hairspray or grainy aluminium spray for example, any other ideas before i scrap my reflectors? (hairspray should wash off though)
of course i wouldn't want to trade in too much reflection efficiency ...

my first victim would be the reflector provided with the terralux ministar 2
 
Search for "sputter" and you'll find threads telling how to do this with clear spray paint.

Another option is some diffusion on the lens- there are several options there including satin scotch tape. Look at flashlightreviews.com for reviews of some of the diffusion alternatives.
 
I am making some stochasitc reflectors right now. as i type this.

using Krylon Acrylic Crystal Clear Gloss #1301.

Nikon says:

[ QUOTE ]
Use Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic spray. Don't shake the can before using because you don't want a smooth spray, you want droplets of paint to land on the reflector.

Sputtering is much easier to do when the can is nearly empty than when it's full, but with a little practice you can get the effect you want. Don't push the spray button down very far, and it helps to pull the button backward as you press (it allows better control).

Do all spraying outdoors for the sake of your health. Practice spraying in the air until you can make tiny droplets come from the can without any smooth spray. You should master this very quickly. With a full can you'll only be able to get the droplets to spray about a foot in distance. With a near empty can they'll go much farther.

It should take at least six coats to properly sputter a reflector, and each coat should be very light. Allow fifteen minutes drying time between coats. It's more economical to sputter several reflectors at a time because you have to clear the nozzle of the spray can between each coat and this wastes a lot of the acrylic.

Cover your hand with a plastic bag or something similar and grasp the rear of the reflector, facing the front toward yourself. Hold the spray can the appropriate distance from the reflector and apply the first coat, rotating the reflector to insure even coverage. Spray for a fraction of a second at a time, look at the reflector, and spray more if you obviously missed some spots, but don't overdo it. Set the reflector down to dry and clean the nozzle by inverting the can and spraying until nothing but air comes out.

After you've finished sputtering, allow the reflector to dry at least overnight before putting it in the light. I allow mine to dry for two weeks.

[/ QUOTE ]
 
thanks guys, that was really helpful
for the small mini-mag reflectors i'll try the cratz method for a finer sputtering
 
Here are pictures I just took for another thread on sputtering. I must add that I hate for it to be called my method as I do basically exactly what Nikon does except he cleans his nozzle out between each layer. I don't know why mine comes out any different than his because at first, I basically followed his directions to the letter.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jpshakehead.gif

'Nikon method':

DCP_4834a.jpg


'My method':

IMG_0557a.jpg
 
From the looks of your sputter is looks like you are doing everything the way you are suppose to...which is the wrong way to do it. You are spraying the correct distance and spraying light coats.

What you want to do is wrong for the world and right for sputtering. You really want an almost dribble coat of Krylon on your reflector. You want a thick coat of Krylon and you need to spray closer to the reflector.

What is happening in your case is the Krylon spray at the proper distance is allowing the the particles as it travels through the air to partially dry as the spray hits the reflector. That allows the Krylon particles to form small 'beads' on the reflector. If you want a flood light the Krylon bead effect would be good.

What you want to do is coat the reflector with a coat of liquid Krylon then let it dry so the reflector looks slightly runny.

Get aggressive with the Krylon spray and spray closer. After spraying give the Krylon lots of time to dry. Does that help?

LH_sputtered_reflector.jpg
 
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