How to Make Silicone Flame Light Bulbs

Flame-style light bulbs are used in candelabras and lamps to give the appearance of candle light instead of incandescent light. These bulbs can be expensive and difficult to find in the proper size or wattage for your fixture. You can easily make your own silicone flame light bulbs using materials found around the house or at your hardware store. Experiment with the dipping process to create different effects on your bulbs.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clear outdoor silicone
• Disposable container
• Light bulb
• Wire

1. Squeeze the silicone into a disposable container that has a lid. Tap the side so the silicone settles and releases any air bubbles.

2. Wrap the wire around the socket part of the light bulb securely. Make a loop in the other end so that you can hang it from a nail or hook to dry after coating.

3. Hold the light bulb by the wire and dip into the silicone. Dip the bulb into the silicone so that the entire glass bulb is submerged.

4. Pull it out slowly so that you get a long point on the end of the silicone to emulate a candle flame.

5. Hang the bulb from the wire loop to dry for 3 to 4 hours. Once the silicone is completely dry you can remove the wire and use it in your light fixtures.

Tips & Warnings

• Use colored bulbs to emulate the color of a candle flame.
• Wear gloves as silicone can irritate your skin. Work in a well ventilated area.

References

• More methods for making silicone-dipped light bulbs