Security light, diy frosted lense?

[Bent Handle]

I put up a Lepower led security light on the front of my workshop. It’s a nice light and lights up the parking area more than adequately. The problem is the light is pretty harsh to the neighbors across my country road. They don’t care, but couldn’t stop laughing when referencing the Christmas light scene from Christmas vacation. The lenses are more of a clear lense and I thought I’d attemp to frost them to reduce the intensity. Anybody have experience or suggestions with frosting a plastic light lense? I know there’s frosted spray paint.

 

[Stuart in MN]

First thing is to see if you can aim it lower so it doesn't shine across the road. Alternately, you could try fabricating a shield from sheet metal to block it.

Is the lens plastic? You may be able to scuff it with sandpaper to help diffuse the light. Also, how hot does it get? Some lights get really warm, which may affect how paint will stick.

 

[Bent Handle]

Thanks, I’m out of adjustment on aiming, but I’m going to try shielding it just to see how it would work. It is positioned at the peak of the roofline under a foot overhang so i can box it in using the roofline to shield it. I may even toy with a frosted shield. I’ve got some lexan laying around I could mess with.

As far as the lenses go, they are plastic, and I suppose I could just scuff with sandpaper. Im going to put some frosted material over the lights to see if that does the trick. The fixtures barely get warm.

 

[Citation]

As an experiment try putting a white, thin trash bag or grocery bag over the lens to see how it works. If you place it right on the lens it would simulate scuffing. You might find the bright spot is still too bright.

 

[Bent Handle]

I tried a few layers of press and seal this morning, but the sun was coming up. I’ll try again this evening.

 

[duc916]

Is the lens glass or plastic. If plastic you could scuff it with sandpaper or scotchbrite, if glass you could etch it with various techniques.

 

[PWC Repair]

I've accidentally found that carb cleaner generally does a good job of clouding clear plastic, lol!

 

[Bent Handle]

It’s plastic, I’m going to try frosting with press n seal tonight and see if that does the trick. I’m also going to try shielding it so they don’t see the light directly from their windows. I’ll do some testing before a permanent solution is employed.

 

[LeonardY]

I would try some frosting film.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gila-4-ft-x-6-5-ft-Frosted-Privacy-Window-Film-PFW486/100155257
Cut to shape.
Use the lens to retain it. Or if you can get lighting gel.

 

[Firebrick43]

Please use a 45 degree shield. I personally believe that nearly 95 percent of security lights should be made illegal as you shouldn’t see the glare or bulb of your neighbors light.

Further more it’s has never been proven with studies that street lights or security lights reduce crime or accidents. In fact several places have been shutting off lights after midnight or even 10:30 and it has reduced crime 20%. Criminals are afraid of the dark to.

I have actually personally tried the above situation and it made me evaluate and change my lighting extensively decade ago

 

[Glemon]

I don't have studies in hand, and this is just one anecdotal story, but we live in a somewhat unique neighborhood with large wooded lots near the center of town. Kids used to come and park on the streets, smoke weed, drink, etc. Not crime, but not real desirable. With the advent of cheap to run LED lights neighbors have been lighting up the landscape a lot more at night. While I miss the back in time, out in the country feel. I don't miss the kids and their weed stank.

 

[Bent Handle]

Please use a 45 degree shield. I personally believe that nearly 95 percent of security lights should be made illegal as you shouldn’t see the glare or bulb of your neighbors light.

Further more it’s has never been proven with studies that street lights or security lights reduce crime or accidents. In fact several places have been shutting off lights after midnight or even 10:30 and it has reduced crime 20%. Criminals are afraid of the dark to.

I have actually personally tried the above situation and it made me evaluate and change my lighting extensively decade ago

I’m going to try shielding the light, it has been raining since I posted and haven’t executed my fixes yet. I’m not worried about crime, but wouldn’t mind a little light where I park my trucks and trailers which the light I installed also covers. I live on a farm as well as my neighbor, we have giant security lights on utility poles, but mine is on the other side of a barn so doesn’t light up this area.

 

[Bent Handle]

Here’s a few pics for reference. The last pic shows the neighbors house behind the trailers I am going to shield.

 

[dzahm]

if you have access to a sandblaster; that will frost plastic or even glass. You can barely frost or really frost heavily. Only takes a minute or two and you are done.

 

[karoc]

Some has a reflector shield to block the light in one direction but to still broadcast the light to the sides.

 

[larry_g]

If you have an old set of adjustable window blinds you can hang in front of the light? This way you can polarize the light and direct it toward the ground. Another would be to hang a bit of shade cloth in front of it.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Lights make shadows and draw bugs. Shadows are good places to hide from people whose night vision is destroyed by bright lights. I have motion activated lights all around my place. If the lights are on, somebody is in my yard. If the lights are off, nobody is in my yard. Pretty easy.

 

[rlitman]

Is the lens glass or plastic. If plastic you could scuff it with sandpaper or scotchbrite, if glass you could etch it with various techniques.

I've had good luck "frosting" glass by smearing it with clear silicone. The added bonus is it is now shatterproof.