Large ping pong balls

[Beans45601]

I'm working on this lighting effect that originally consisted of several ping pong balls with high power, color changing LEDs (Luxeon) mounted inside of them and it worked really well, but ping pong balls aren't big enough to read on stage. I'm looking for a source of 3"(ish) hollow spheres with similar light qualities as ping pong balls... can anyone think of anything off the top of their heads? I don't think it can be HDPE, I was thinking polypropylene, but isn't as opaque as the celluloid plastic ping pong balls are made of... any ideas?

 

[venuetech]

try a search for...

frosted plastic ball ornaments

 

[sk8rsdad]

or ball pit balls

 

[blackisthenewblack]

it would appear that amazon and others have decorative balls that come in two halves and snap together. With a coat of white paint or something, it would seem that it would be more easily filled and repaired than other solutions

 

[FatherMurphy]

A ball painted white probably wouldn't pass light from the inside, the paint would be too opaque.

Perhaps some small Chinese paper lanterns? Just make sure you pay attention to flameproofing.

 

[MarshallPope]

What about painting the clear ball with a light dusting of white spray paint?

 

[blackisthenewblack]

A ball painted white probably wouldn't pass light from the inside, the paint would be too opaque.

Hence the "Or something", either hairspray, spray some of that aerosol "christmas snow", wax paper, drafting vellum, etc...

 

[AudJ]

Time consuming (aka - this is an idea if you have volunteers) but you could sand them with a fine grit to make them opaque - they would still pass light.

 

[Floobydust]

DIY: Superior Lighting | 12 Inch Plastic Globe Plain Lip Opening White Acrylic Model 02024WA-12WL

Ready to go: RGB Candy Cane Post Topper / RGB North Pole Ball

I'll be doing the DIY project above for this Christmas as stage outlines and eight 24 inch paper lanterns hanging from the catwalk, all DMX RGB.