How to Scratch a Kaleidoscope Lens

Building a kaleidoscope at home is not only fun and educational, but it can be very simple, also. Once the basic framework for the kaleidoscope has been made, it is time to work on the lens. To add a greater assortment of color designs, scratch the lens. This is a simple but effective technique that leads to greater imagination out of the classroom and keeps children and adults entertained.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fine grain sandpaper (#100)
• Soft clean cloth

1. Check that the transparency piece is attached firmly to the container of the kaleidoscope with heavy-duty tape or some other product that doesn't allow the transparency to move under pressure of the sandpaper.

2. Take a piece of fine grain sandpaper (#100) and gently rub against the transparency.

3. Sweep off any dust that has accumulated during the sanding process with a clean, soft cloth, and look through the kaleidoscope to see if there is a sufficient amount of scratches on the lens.

4. Blow out any dust or dirt that cannot be reached by the cloth to ensure dust particles do not fall into the viewing window later.

5. Swipe sandpaper over the lens once more to give a few final scratches to the lens and add a greater variety to the color and shape designs that is seen.

6. Wipe off the lens once more with a soft cloth to ensure there are no dust particles to interfere with the beautiful view.

7. Look through the kaleidoscope once it has been cleaned. Colors and designs should appear more "blurred" now and offer a more abstract view.

Tips & Warnings

• Begin scratching lens gently and gradually build-up pressure to ensure the lens does not become too scratched-up to use. If this does happen, a new transparency can easily be cut and attached and the scratching process can begin again.
• Hold kaleidoscope container firmly during the sanding process so the kaleidoscope does not slip out of your hands.