Dyeing clear leds...

[tng5737]

I am trying to rebuild a wireframe Santa Sleigh.  The incans/controller gave up last year in the middle of my show season.  I want to convert it over to leds.   I thought about using rope lights but many of the coloroed sections are less than one foot long and would be a real pain to cut and reconnect using rope lights.   So I plan on using clear leds which I purchased during the pre-season CDI sale.   I want to dye the specific led clear lens with something like pvc dye to obtain the appropriate color for the various sleigh sections.  Has anyone done this?  How does the dye hold up out in the elements?  Does it fade or bleed over time or does it hold fast.  Most importantly - how do they look?
thx in advance

[PJNMCT]

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Someone talked about adding UV inhibiter to the dye. I've not tryed it yet. Without it, the colors have not lasted when used on PVC.

-Paul

[tbone321]

When you say clear, do you mean white LED's?

[urthegman]

I have used combo-clips and I was very happy with them. Basically they are colored caps that also attach the lights to the frame as well. Here is a link to them. You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

[tng5737]

1) yes- they are called 'white' (caps are clear)

2) interesting info on the combo-clips   I will have to do some more investigation on those.  My leds are 5mm with small flat-tops.

thx

[meman]

I've used translucent nail polish with some success. It's sticks to the LEDs pretty good and theres a bazillion colors to choose from.

[urthegman]

1) yes- they are called 'white' (caps are clear)

2) interesting info on the combo-clips   I will have to do some more investigation on those.  My leds are 5mm with small flat-tops.

thx

Here is a picture for you. The reds are just red LEDs (no combo clips)and I remember splicing them in with the white LEDs at some point. I'm pretty positive that I used white to green and blue as a 1:1 ratio and red and yellow to white as a 2:1 ratio as my rule of thumb. As you can see in the picture the brightness is uniform and I didn't have any problems with any of the light strings and no flickering at all.

[t.jo13]

I have used krylon X metals paint with good results. I found some colors at Walmart, and some colors at True value hardware. I made A warm white 6 ft x 8 ft american flag using red and blue. It is used often. I also used it on ropelights also.

[tng5737]

Here is a picture for you. The reds are just red LEDs (no combo clips)and I remember splicing them in with the white LEDs at some point. I'm pretty positive that I used white to green and blue as a 1:1 ratio and red and yellow to white as a 2:1 ratio as my rule of thumb. As you can see in the picture the brightness is uniform and I didn't have any problems with any of the light strings and no flickering at all.

Could you provide a closeup picture of the combo clips you used.  The ones I saw looked as if they were for a different type of led lens (long and pointed) not for the small round leds with flat tops.
I wanted to buy a sample pack but the site has a $5 min order and the packs were only $4 - didn't feel like getting two packs until I know more about them!

[urthegman]

Here is a picture. I just re-read your post about them being flat top leds I know they come in different sizes and while these would definitely work better with the long and pointed LEDs, they might work for you as well. For what they are, I find them to be expensive here in the states, I wonder if you could find something like this on Ali-Express? Either way it is a long and tedious task, and after doing my wireframes  I wanted to give them a burial at sea! 

[tng5737]

Here is a picture.

Yes, that is what I was looking at on the site - just wanted to make sure we were referencing the same item.   I might try the Krylon spray first on a test set of lights.  Rebuilding these wireframes are a real pain.  I had a WF Snowman I did a few years ago and my hands were sore for a week after all those tie wraps and clips.  But I do love the look of a good wireframe element.   I also have a large wreath which sorely in need of a rebuild.   thx for the pix

[tng5737]

Update:   I went ahead and ordered some led strings along with teh appropriately colored covers from the site mentioned earlier.   I just wanted to make sure everyting fit together since I don't have a lot of time to spend on this project.  I also order some Kryon X metals paint just to experiment. 
thx for everyones input!