Add Color to a Fluorescent Light

The cold, harsh light of fluorescent lamps fails to bring warmth to a room, nor is it decorative. By using inexpensive materials, you can add color and warmth to these boring lights to make your drab room or office welcoming, fun, fresh, and funky! 

Steps

 * 1) Gather the Things You'll Need.
 * 2) [[Image:Neon2.jpg|thumb|]]Put the book covering (roll of colored plastic sheeting) on a plain surface. Roll about 2 feet out flat and make sure there are no wrinkles in the covering.
 * 3) [[Image:Neon3.jpg|thumb|]]Wrap the fluorescent bulb in the covering. Roll it tightly around the fluorescent bulb - there should not be any space between the lamp and the covering.
 * 4) Cut the covering off the roll, and also any excess along the length of the fluorescent tube. Use transparent tape to seal the covering seam.
 * 5) [[Image:Neon4.jpg|thumb|]]Cut the edges of the covering with the scissors. Be careful that you do not cut the contacts (the pair of prongs at each end of the tube). The contacts have to stay accessible.
 * 6) [[Image:Neon5.jpg|thumb|You just managed it!]]Reinstall the covered bulb in the lamp holder. Turn on the light and enjoy!

Tips

 * [[Image:Neon6.jpg|thumb|More possible colors]]You can also combine two colors by overlaying them. For example, layering yellow and red results in orange!
 * If you are willing to spend a little more money theatrical supply companies offer pre-made color tubes and gels in just about any color you can think of. Some photo supply houses will also carry filters to correct fluorescent tubes to match daylight or tungsten light sources. These theatrical gel also comes in thousands of colors. A gel called "Half-minus green" will remove a great deal of the glare from fluorescent lights.

Warnings

 * This is potentially a fire hazard, it is recommended that you use plastic sheeting that is approved for high-temperature applications. To reduce this risk, check with your photo or theatrical supply house for colored "gel" sheeting that is designed for use with light sources.
 * Do not use this "How To" for other lights. Fluorescent lights are the only lights that do not get so hot so as to melt the plastic sheeting and cause a fire hazard. T5 and T5HO lamps may also get too hot for this application, be careful. Some fluorescent do get hot so first try a small piece before you take the whole thing apart.
 * Be careful when removing and reinstalling the lamp. Do not touch the electric contacts.
 * Even fluorescent bulbs can fail, the anode and cathode can become very hot and cause a fire. Use caution.
 * Using anything other than theatrical gel is risking a fire. Theatrical gel will never catch fire. It will melt under extreme heat.
 * Always cut the electricity before taking the lamp or replacing it.

Things You'll Need

 * [[Image:Neon7.jpg|thumb|Colored non adhesive book covering]]Fluorescent lamp
 * Colored non adhesive book covering / Colored plastic sheeting / Theatrical Gel
 * Transparent adhesive tape
 * Scissors

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Build a Lamp
 * How to Make an Oil Lamp
 * How to Decorate a Dorm
 * How to Choose a Good Office Plant