retrofitting reflective material on lights

[SnakeIce]

I have some cristmas wrap that is a plastic foil and is shiny on the back side. I cut a section to go behind the lamps on my eclipse hood and one to go in my wife's strip light on her tank.

I need something to fix this stuff to the plastic behind the lamps

any ideas? it would have to stand up to a bit of heat and possibly be removeable in case I want to replace the shiny stuff

[JSchmidt]

Sounds like you're using Mylar or something similar? Are you sure IT can stand the heat? I'd be a bit worried...

Many epoxies can take some heat; just look for one that has the usages listed on the back and look for a variety that can handle heat.

Good luck,
Jim

[SnakeIce]

hmm good point, would aluminum foil be a better material?

I will have to put some of the cristmas wrap on our baseboard heater top for a watched heat test on the material. I would imagine that would get hotter so would be a quick test.

[DIYMatt]

I would go with the foil to be safe. I have used expoxies to attach things to plastic lights with success. I think any of them would be able to stand up to a flourescent lights amount of heat, but its pretty permanent. I have used the heavy duty foam double stick tape with success in MH hoods. What else has worked great for other things is the double stick tape that comes with the 3M window insulator kits. Its gotta be the 3m stuff, tho. Cheapiestuff bites IME. But, I have never exposed it to high heat. What about a high temp silicone or caulk? You can always get that stuff off later if you have to.

good luck, I hope this helps.

[mogurnda]

Another possibility is the aluminum tape used for ducts (not duct tape). Sticky, shiny, and designed for heat.

[OrionGirl]

If you can seal the edges, you can also use acrylic mirror. Sold at Home Depot, easy to cut, easy to attach (predrill holes, but otherwise screws work fantastic), and it's light weight to boot. I would't want a bulb to be touching it, but otherwise it's very heat safe.

[DIYMatt]

ANother matrial you can use for the reflector itself is aluminum flashing itself form home depot. Cheap, easy to cut, form and attach. I have attached it with the forementioned double stick tape. An advantage to that is you can create an airspace between the reflector and hood to further dissapate heat.