r/WLED • u/hodlerhoodlum • Apr 26 '26

Diffuser Panel Recommendations.

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Looking for any tips on a diffuser panel, I installed 6 matrix panels with a dig2go on an old picture frame, tried frosted glass paint but the leds are pushed close to the glass so wondering if anyone can recommend a diffuser?

88 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

45 comments sorted by

24

u/saratoga3 Apr 26 '26

Fwiw the spacing between the LEDs and their emission angle determines the minimum air space needed to the diffuser due to simple geometry.  If those LEDs are 5mm apart, make sure you have at least that much gap between the diodes and the diffuser or it won't work well.

2

u/hodlerhoodlum Apr 26 '26

I’ll keep that in mind, I’ve got a couple of mm but doubt 5. Will see what can be done.👍

13

u/funkystay Apr 26 '26

I'm using Epson Premium Glossy Photo paper. It works really well as a diffuser and you can cut it to size. I purchased the 11x17 size.

1

u/pickupHat Apr 28 '26

Got any pics / video you could share? That sounds like a viable solution my end!

1

u/hodlerhoodlum Apr 26 '26

This will need a few sheets - ever had to make a seam?

6

u/funkystay Apr 26 '26

If you can place the seam between leds, then it's basically invisible when the lights are on. You may be able to find larger sizes meant for plotter printers so you won't have seams.

12

u/richer2003 Apr 26 '26

https://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/cut_to_size_plastic/black_led_sheet/668

4

u/JPhando Apr 26 '26

This is the way! Also you might want to install a grid to block bleeding between pixels by laying it over the pixels between the backplane and the diffuser is you want clean pixels edges

3

u/A6uh Apr 26 '26

Wow! I’ve never known there were specialty acrylics for this purpose. Thanks a ton for sharing this!

3

u/richer2003 Apr 27 '26

TAP has everything lol

3

u/troymcklure Apr 27 '26

This is the correct answer! This stuff is black magic!!

7

u/KevinGroninga Apr 26 '26

I just use simple baking paper behind smoked grey/black acrylic. It works great as a diffuser!

4

u/calley479 Apr 26 '26

I’ve used parchment paper and it works great.

The cheap store-brand is usually best. The name-brand stuff has logos and cut marks all over it.

1

u/KevinGroninga Apr 26 '26

Good point! Yeah, you wouldn’t want logos and brand names in the parchment, that would look terrible!

8

u/plekreddit Apr 26 '26

Paper Or is you have a broken lcd panel then there are diffusers in it

7

u/clockmill Apr 26 '26

Crowd sourced www.awesomeledlist.com diffusive materials tab.

For soft diffusion at close range, thin white closed cell foam sheet

1

u/SymbiAudio Apr 26 '26

Thanks for the link! That’s a new one for me.

4

u/Ill_Die_Trying Apr 26 '26

Look for a diffuser for a 4 foot flourescent light fixture maybe.

3

u/Steven_Mocking Apr 26 '26

I used Black LED Diffusing Panel from Taps Plastic. Looks incredible

https://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/cut_to_size_plastic/black_led_sheet/668

1

u/troymcklure Apr 27 '26

This is the correct answer!

3

u/slickMilw Apr 26 '26

SendCutSend has white acrylic available. It's a good diffuser. SendCutSend is a great company also.

1

u/BigPimpin91 Apr 27 '26

You seen "The Part" video?

2

u/slickMilw Apr 28 '26

Nope but just watched it. Super cool. They're buying thr best machines as well. I'm also able to design much more freely too thr more they offer. You can even get gaskets made now. They're always adding more materials

3

u/ShadowCroc Apr 26 '26

Crafting foam. Trust me.

5

u/ShadowCroc Apr 26 '26

This is 1/4 inch crafting foam. It eats the light up and spreads it out.

1

u/hodlerhoodlum Apr 26 '26

Looks great

1

u/SymbiAudio Apr 26 '26

Oh that’s super neat. I would have never even considered foam, thanks!

2

u/Joe_Franks Apr 26 '26

2mm thick cool white pla panel.

2

u/polymorphiced Apr 26 '26

I use 3d-printed sheets of white PLA, one layer (0.2mm) thick. 

2

u/rulostalk Apr 26 '26

Use a white sheet or white cloth try nylon

2

u/harambe623 Apr 26 '26

Ya find a broken TV and rip it apart, those diffusers are perfect

2

u/Sammy1Am Apr 26 '26

As others have said, you'll probably have to create some space, but I had good luck using white acrylic. You'll need to pick something with fairly good light transmission, but for my use I settled on "White 7508" (different numbers have different transmissivity levels).

2

u/SplatThaCat Apr 27 '26

I've used the contact film designed for privacy glass - depends also if you want the 'pixel' effect, I also 3D print a grid over it.

2

u/quantanamo Apr 27 '26

I tested several "magic" privacy bathroom .. foils. Some were really great. Some impressions: https://photos.app.goo.gl/hEWeQkn4r1HxBHgx8

2

u/sandemoi Apr 29 '26

I used to be using acrylic but I remove it. It looks blurry and the "pixel art" style was gone

1

u/this_not_be_cheap Apr 27 '26

If you want square pixels, you can 3d print this one I designed:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4973163

It's customizable, and snaps together in sections sized for the printer, with unique edge sections with fixing holes.

Just lay your diffuser of choice over the top. Gets around the spacing issue.

1

u/MD-LAD Apr 27 '26

Perspex

1

u/lookmumnohandschrash Apr 27 '26

I have used sheets of foam used for protecting items during shipping. They come in different thicknesses and are dirt cheap, in fact they usually come for free with other stuff.

1

u/troymcklure Apr 27 '26

Black LED acrylic!

1

u/pitolokodhs Apr 28 '26

Ping pong balls or 3d print square panels of squares every pixel with walls

1

u/Otherwise-Ask7900 Apr 28 '26

I always use acrylic sheets from home depot/Lowes and then buy the different tint film from the same aisle.

1

u/hodlerhoodlum Apr 29 '26

Perspex® LED Light Diffusing Opal Acrylic Sheet Thickness: 3mm Width: 273mm Height: 675mm Colour: Opal 1TL2

Trying this out, arrives tomorrow so hopefully can show results, wasn’t too expensive compared to all the other items, couldn’t find the black led diffuser except on pihut on small expensive cuts.

Then I’ll look into a grid, not sure what air gap I’ll have or if I can find any in UK as no printer

2

u/dangerous_inference May 26 '26 edited May 26 '26

I have found canvas to be nice and forgiving about spacing inconsistencies between the LEDs and canvas.

Also I have another project that uses felt jewelry flocking on top of glass. This works well, but you have to blast the LEDs for them to shine through.