How to Acrylic Sheet a Lamp

Standard Rectangle

• 1

  Set an acrylic panel on the work table and heat it with a the heat gun. It may take a few minutes to get the acrylic soft enough to bend.

• 2

  Bend the acrylic by using the side of the work table as a point of leverage. The acrylic will bend and create a rounded edge. A rounded edge is fine for contemporary design but if you want a crisp corner you can cut a V shape out of the back side of the bend with a scribing knife. This will allow a 90 degree angle to form at the bend. Repeat this process twice more to create a rectangular piece of acrylic.

• 3

  Seal the open edge of acrylic with acrylic cement. Fill a syringe with acrylic cement (Weld-on for instance) and run it along the joint of the unbent edge. The cement will cause a chemical reaction in the acrylic that will melt it together and then cause it to reform into a sealed joint.

• 4

  Place the finished acrylic over the lamp and turn the lamp on.

Adding Designs

• 5

  Stand the rectangular lamp cover vertically on your work table.

• 6

  Begin heating the top of the structure with the heat gun. The acrylic will become pliable. Now you have the choice of either pushing down on the top of the acrylic to create a bow in the rectangle or continue heating it to the point it begins to flow and creates a more organic drooping look.

• 7

  Heat the middle and lower parts of the structure in the same way to create similar looks throughout the acrylic cover.

Adding Decorations

• 8

  Heat an area of acrylic on a flat surface.

• 9

  Press a decorative item into the acrylic. Any item can be used. Common items include metal, faux jewelry, fabric and flowers or leaves.

• 10

  Let the acrylic cool before standing the sheet back in the vertical position. Repeat these steps in the same area to create a layered effect or throughout the acrylic to create a homogeneous effect.