How to Diffuse LED Light

DIffusing LED lights reduces their brightness.

Pure LED lights that you have set up in a room for decoration or for a project are typically bright, which can hurt your eyes. An easy solution to this problem is to diffuse the light that is emitted. To do this, you need to modify the LED so the amount of light being produced is reduced.

Things You'll Need

• Needle-nose pliers
• 400-grit sandpaper

Instructions

1. Unplug the LED light fixture from the electrical outlet. Pull out each LED with your fingers or use the needle-nose pliers.

2. Sand each LED lightly with the 400-grit sandpaper. The result you want is an LED that looks cloudy or dull.

3. Place each LED back in the light fixture.

4. Plug the light fixture back into the electrical outlet and turn it on. You should see a result immediately, as light glows instead of shining brightly from the LED.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut a small piece of a drinking straw and place it over each LED to diffuse the light.

• When LED lights are diffused, the colors will blend together and not emit separate colors.

References

• Hacktronics: Diffuse Your LED's