How to Use a Gel With a Fluorescent Light
Gels are thin pieces of acetate used to color theatrical lighting instruments, also known as color filters. They come in hundreds of different colors, including color-correction filters specifically designed for fluorescent lighting. These color-correction gels can make fluorescent lighting look more like incandescent or daylight. Some companies make gel tubes that you can simply slide onto your fluorescent light tubes, but most gels come in sheets that are approximately 20 by 24 inches. From these, you can make your own fluorescent lighting tubes. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Select the gel you want to use for your light. For color correction, look for the degrees Kelvin in the lighting gel description. The higher the degree number, the cooler (bluer) the light. Lower temperatures produce warmer (yellow or red) light. Many gel companies have specific fluorescent-to-daylight and fluorescent-to-tungsten gels. For festive colors, choose any gel from any manufacturer's selection.
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Remove the fluorescent tube you want to gel from the lighting fixture.
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Measure the length and circumference of your fluorescent light tube using a cloth tape measure so you can wrap the tape tightly around the tube.
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Cut your gel sheet to size, using the light's length as the gel's length and the light's circumference as the gel's width. If the tube is longer than the gel, cut an additional piece of gel and add it to the first for length, taping it in place with cellophane tape.
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Wrap the gel around your fluorescent tube and tape it in place with clear cellophane tape. Gels are made to stand up to high temperatures and fluorescent lighting is low temperature, so having the gel touch the light directly will not cause it to melt.
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Replace the fluorescent tube in the lighting fixture.
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References
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