Spray painting the caps.
Spray painting the connector caps of the lights.
Our dog, Bentley, standing beside a box of styrofoam with light poles sticking out and ready for spray painting.
Did this take quite a while for spray painting and dry time?
Yes!
Was it worth it?
You bet!
How to Clean and Restore Cloudy Solar Light Panels
I have read about many ways to clean cloudy solar light panels but I think I have discovered the easiest and most inexpensive way!
Are you ready? This is the coolest hack!
Clear nail polish!
I love how this solar outdoor lighting casts such a nice warm white landscape path light around our landscape.
Remove the painter’s tape from the solar light and give brush the plastic solar panel with a coat of clear nail polish.
Brushing clear nail polish on to the solar light panel to restore the light’s ability to gather and store energy.
You see, clean and clear solar panels are able to capture more light throughout the day. So, applying the clear nail polish was like opening a window to capture the sun!
Be sure to set them in direct sunlight for at least 24 hours so their solar cells get exposed to as much sunlight as possible.
Solar path lights put back together after each part is spray painted.
How Far Apart Should You Place Outdoor Path Lights?
The closer you place your lights, the stronger the illumination will be and the more overlap there will be in the light pattern.
Placing lights 6-8 feet apart seems to be a good distance in order to effectively illuminate a path, flower beds, or landscape border.
I love solar path lights at dusk…magical!
Refreshed solar pathway lights spaced evenly apart and lining the front house perimeter.
If you are illuminating a walkway, it is a good idea to alternate the lights from one side to the other. This distributes the light symmetrically for bet illumination.
Also, avoid placing the light pole right against the sidewalk or path. The best place is to set the light back a few inches so light reaches more sidewalk area.
How Long Will This Restored Light Last?
My goal is to give these lights at least one or two more years of life. Believe me, if I can make them last longer by reapplying the clear nail polish and additional paint, I’m there!
This is a process of prolonging the life of existing solar lights but it is not a “forever plan.”
Anything beyond that I will consider a gift!
And that’s it – you now know how to give your solar pathway lights a new lease of life!
It’s probably the easiest DIY you’ll ever do, but the satisfaction of having saved yourself a few bucks will be oh-so-sweet.
A painted solar light nestled among a green evergreen bush.
Where Can I Place Solar Outdoor Lights?
Because solar lights have such great ease of use (just stick in the ground!), the placement possibilities are immense!
Solar lights that are stuck into the ground on a hill.
- Place along a sidewalk
- Outline a flower bed or landscape bed
- Place close a front door step so guests don’t trip in the dark
- Tuck into a flower pot
- Bring attention to a water feature with light
- Sneak into a hanging basket
- Surround a patio table
- Illuminate any outdoor area that is too dark or shadowy
- Highlight an outdoor play area, croquet space, or golf ball putting green
- Pair with string lights and fairy lights for a variety of light sources
A painted solar light tucked beside a green bush.
a solar pathway light that is emitting a starburst light pattern at dusk.
So if your solar pathway lights were looking forlorn and down on their luck, no doubt they’ll now be lighting up your garden all night long and giving it a radiant glow. Forget buying new lights; just save money and time by restoring them instead!
Cheers!
Restore Solar Pathway Lights.
In Case You Missed It…
One Room Challenge Spring 2023 – A Half Bath Makeover
An Astonishing Before aand After Bookcase Makeover
How to Make Dazzling DIY Mirrored Outdoor Hanging Decor