frosting an led, how?

While in the process of constructing my dash vent cover, I noticed that my warning lights are super bright LEDs, which will act as more of a flashlight in my car.

I need to frost the bulbs somehow so that they don't shine light everywhere, but just light up like a warning like should.

How can I frost the bulbs, preferably using something I may already have. I want to avoid sanding them because when the light is on you can see all the swirls and sand marks, I need a nice uniform frost on them.


I was considering just shaving the round part down flat, but I don't know if I really want to do that either.
I also tried dipping one in various solvents hoping it would leave a frosty finish........ it doesn't.

Any ideas to get these little puppies frosty?

LED light is VERY directional, it doesn't diffuse like incandescent light.  You may want to try to replace the LEDs with bulbs if possible, you will get better results that way.

LEDs generally use a light guide (usually a clear plastic tube like thingy) to move the light and shine it where it needs to go.  You can also use various types of colored tints, although I have never personally had good luck tinting LEDs. 

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Kevin Pierson

just lighly sand it use a scottch brite until it gets a foggy look

Kevin, replacing them with bulbs.... NOT gonna happen..... the holes are specific for LED bezels and LED's. I just wanna frost the "bulb" so the actual light itself will appear to light up more..... it can throw light where it wants, but I need it to look more like the bulb itself is glowing a little, not just shining light out.

no_joke, I tried using some sandpaper, but it leaves marks that are noticeable.

Frost spray isn't a bad idea, but I was hoping to do more along the lines of free :)

I might try with a really fine sandpaper instead.

A higher grit sandpaper should do what you are trying to do.  Or try a fine nail file.

 800 to 1200 grit sand paper..

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Jeff