Making your own red torch

[LewisM]

Happened to have some of the coloured spray varnish that motor heads use for faking colour anodizing etc - I use it on my custom aluminium adapters. I have clear red, but blue, purple, green etc is available.

Anyway, decided to try it on the front clear element on an old maglight torch I have (The YoullBe size) that no longer works (corroded). Gave it 2 coats of this clear red lacquer, and voila, instant PERFECT red torch. So, spritzed the front of my 6 LED torch, and am VERY impressed with the results (the stuff lays FLAT and doesn't granulate like a lot of the other spray clear lacquers.

Maybe ONE more layer for a deeper red, but it's pretty darned good as is.

The spray is around $20 a can, so unless you already have some, it's a touch exxy, but after using the can for over 6 months now and many adapters and parts, I still have a LOT left.

[The_bluester]

I had some red gel which I cut to shape and put a couple of layers in behind the glass of my AA sized Maglite (With LED lamp replacement) It works really well too but same problem, it is only handy if you already have the gel otherwise it can be a bit costly depending on if you can get it in a small amount.

If I go to a star party I cut a bit of gel out and stick it to the front of my iphone to make it usable at night without doing dark adaptation in. I should remember to tape over the camera flash too, just in case.

[mark3d]

Not a bad idea. I might try red nail polish (my wife's ;)). I only have a 2 x AA maglite with red LED adapter but it's still too bright and I was just wondering what my options were.

[taminga16]

I have found these really useful, the bodies are silicone and can be easily fixed to things.
Greg.
Apologies, they can be found in cycle stores for around $10.00, but a bloke that I know purchased his from a 100 yen store for a lot less. Two LED's provide ample light.