Tinting Plastic Camera Domes: A Step-By-Step Guide

how to tint plastic camera domes

Tinted plastic camera domes are available in various colours and can be made of acrylic or polycarbonate. They are designed to protect camera systems while ensuring clear visibility. The tinting can be achieved through special coatings that enhance durability and performance, and some are optically tested for usage with high-definition cameras. The thickness of the dome varies depending on the application, and mounting holes can be added if necessary. Some companies offer custom-made plastic camera domes, allowing customers to specify the size, material, and tint.

Characteristics Values
Minimum Diameter 4"
Maximum Diameter 96"
Materials Acrylic, Polycarbonate
Tint Available in tinted and untinted varieties
Mounting Holes Available with or without
Flanges Available with or without
Scratches Can be removed with plastic polish and a lens cleaning cloth
Durability Anti-scratch and self-cleaning coatings available
UV Resistance UV-resistant options available
Age Resistance Age-resistant options available
Vandal-Proof Yes
Transparency 94%
Distortion Factor 0.16%
Compatibility 1080p and 10-megapixel

shunpoly

Tinted plastic types: Acrylic, Polycarbonate, ABS

Tinted plastic is a great way to add a personal touch to your plastic camera dome, protect your camera from the elements, or conceal it from view. There are several types of tinted plastic that can be used, each with its own unique properties and benefits.

Acrylic

Acrylic, also known as plexiglass, is a versatile and durable type of plastic that can be tinted to almost any colour. It is commonly used in homes, automobiles, medical products, and industrial machinery. Acrylic plastic can be tinted by adding dye during the manufacturing process, or it can be tinted after production through spray painting or the application of a tinted adhesive or film. However, tinting acrylic after production can be challenging and may require professional assistance to avoid scratching or air bubbles.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is a high-quality material known for its durability, optical clarity, and superior performance. It offers a near-unbreakable shield for surveillance cameras, with an impact strength 250 times greater than standard glass. Polycarbonate camera domes are designed to resist yellowing and hazing caused by prolonged UV exposure, ensuring excellent optical quality over a long lifespan. This type of plastic can also be tinted during the manufacturing process or customised to specific requirements.

ABS

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is a type of plastic that can be tinted and formed into various shapes using thermoforming operations such as vacuum forming and pressure forming. ABS plastic is known for its impact resistance and toughness, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

By understanding the unique properties and benefits of each type of tinted plastic, you can make an informed decision about which material is best suited for your plastic camera dome project.

shunpoly

Sizing: Minimum 4 diameter, maximum 96

When it comes to tinting plastic camera domes, it's important to consider the size specifications to ensure a proper fit and optimal performance. The standard sizing for these domes typically ranges from a minimum of 4 inches in diameter to a maximum of 96 inches. This range accommodates various camera models and applications, providing protection and enhancing image quality.

Weprofab, a prominent manufacturer of plastic camera domes, offers a variety of options within this size range. Their tinted domes are made from high-quality materials such as acrylic and polycarbonate, ensuring durability and optimal optical performance. The acrylic domes, for instance, are optically tested for use with high-definition cameras and offer constant dimensional stability through injection moulding. This results in clear and undistorted images, with some domes providing up to 94 percent transparency.

Additionally, Weprofab's tinted domes are designed with functionality in mind. Their 7-inch blue plastic camera housing security dome, for instance, features low-light technology, making it suitable for both daytime and nighttime use. They also offer a smoke-coloured tinted CCTV plastic dome with a hard and updated AR coating, providing enhanced protection for your camera equipment. These tinted domes not only improve image quality but also act as a discreet security measure, deterring potential vandalism or tampering.

It's worth noting that Weprofab provides customisation options for their plastic camera domes. They can accommodate specific size requirements, material preferences, and additional features such as mounting holes. This flexibility ensures that you can find a tinted plastic camera dome that perfectly suits your unique needs, whether it's for a small, discreet camera setup or a larger, more robust surveillance system.

By understanding the standard sizing options and the customisation possibilities offered by manufacturers like Weprofab, you can make an informed decision when tinting plastic camera domes within the specified size range of 4 to 96 inches in diameter. This ensures that your camera equipment remains protected while maintaining the desired level of image clarity and functionality.

shunpoly

Customisation: Flanges, mounting holes

When it comes to customising plastic camera domes, flanges and mounting holes play a crucial role in ensuring a secure and functional installation. Here's what you need to know:

Flanges

Flanges are an essential component of camera dome systems, providing a secure mounting option. They are available in various materials, including plastic, acrylic, and glass. When selecting flanges, it is important to consider factors such as temperature, pressure, chemical exposure, and radiation to ensure optimal performance and sealing. For example, slump-molded glass domes offer durability and optical clarity but may come at a higher cost. On the other hand, plastic flanges are inexpensive, but they are prone to degradation and scratching over time, especially in harsh conditions.

Mounting Holes

Mounting holes are crucial for securely attaching the camera dome to the desired surface or system. They can be customised to meet specific requirements, with options for adding holes or creating a hole-free design. For instance, the Weprofab universal 0.118-inch thick acrylic camera dome features four 90-degree mounting holes in the middle, ensuring a sturdy installation. Additionally, some manufacturers offer the flexibility to customise the number and placement of mounting holes to accommodate different camera setups.

Customisation Options

Companies like Weprofab and Excelite offer customisation services for plastic camera domes, allowing you to specify the presence or absence of flanges and mounting holes. You can also choose from a range of materials, including tinted or clear acrylic, tinted or clear polycarbonate, and more. These companies cater to various industries and can tailor their products to meet specific optical, durability, and performance requirements. Whether you need a dome for wired or wireless cameras, hemispheric cameras, or CCTV systems, customisation options ensure that you receive a product that meets your exact specifications.

Sample Products

To give you an idea of the available options, here are some plastic camera domes on the market:

  • Weprofab offers a 6-inch clear plastic camera dome made of 3/16″ thick clear plastic, suitable for wired or wireless cameras.
  • Weprofab also manufactures a UV-resistant, age-resistant, and vandal-proof tinted plastic camera dome with a perfect 100mm fit, providing 1080p and 10-megapixel compatibility.
  • Excelite's Acrylic Domes are clear or tinted enclosures designed for camera replacements or OEMs, offering enhanced durability and performance with special coatings.

shunpoly

Durability: Scratch-resistant, self-cleaning coatings

Plastic camera domes are susceptible to scratches, especially during installation. This is a problem because scratches can obstruct the camera's visibility. To address this issue, advancements in coating technology have led to the development of highly effective scratch-resistant coatings that enhance the durability and longevity of plastic camera domes.

Excelite, for example, offers polycarbonate camera domes with a self-cleaning coating that discourages the adhesion of dust, water, oil-based liquids, and other contaminants. This coating ensures that the camera dome remains clean, reducing maintenance requirements and providing continuous clear visibility. Their domes are also anti-fog and scratch-resistant, making them ideal for security cameras where visibility and resilience are crucial.

Weprofab also manufactures a range of plastic camera domes, including a smoked tinted plastic camera dome that has been optically tested for usage with high-definition cameras. While they do not explicitly mention scratch-resistant coatings, Weprofab's domes are UV and age-resistant, and their website states that they can customize products according to specific requirements.

Another company specializing in coatings is Diamond Coatings. They offer an impact-resistant hard coating for plastics that dramatically reduces scratching and wear, giving the coated surface a hardness approaching that of glass. They do not supply the plastic itself but can provide the coating to enhance the durability of any plastic camera dome.

These scratch-resistant, self-cleaning coatings are an essential aspect of plastic camera domes, ensuring clear visibility, ease of maintenance, and long-lasting durability.

Mealworms: Plastic-Eating Heroes

You may want to see also

shunpoly

Suppliers: Weprofab, Excelite, Replex Plastics

Weprofab, Excelite, and Replex Plastics are three suppliers of plastic camera domes that can be tinted.

Weprofab

Weprofab is a prominent manufacturer of plastic camera domes, offering a variety of options at reasonable prices. They specialize in safe design permits and custom frames, utilizing the newest technology. Their minimum dome size is 4" in diameter, and the maximum is 96". Weprofab's tinted offerings include a smoke-colored CCTV plastic dome, a UV-resistant clear plastic dome, an optically tested Acrylic Smoked Tinted Plastic Camera Dome, and a tinted plastic camera housing dome cover that is also vandal-proof, UV-resistant, and age-resistant.

Excelite

Excelite is a leading name in plastic thermoforming, specializing in various operations like drape forming, vacuum forming, and pressure forming. They work with materials like acrylic, polycarbonate, and ABS, offering them in both coloured and tinted forms. Excelite's polycarbonate camera domes are known for their durability, optical clarity, and superior performance. They offer a light transmittance rate of over 90%, ensuring crisp and clear images. Their domes are also designed to resist yellowing and hazing caused by UV light exposure.

Replex Plastics

Replex Plastics manufactures clear, bronze, or gray camera domes that are rigorously quality-controlled and manufactured in America without low-quality imported parts. While they mostly produce clear domes, they also supply replacement parts for legacy installations, which may include tinted domes.

Each of these suppliers offers distinct advantages and options for tinted plastic camera domes, catering to diverse requirements and specifications.

Sewing Plastic Zippers: Skirt Edition

You may want to see also

Frequently asked questions

Plastic camera domes are used to cover wired or wireless cameras. They are made of materials like acrylic, polycarbonate, and ABS, and offer protection and security to the camera.

Tinted plastic camera domes offer the same protection and durability as clear domes, but with the added benefit of reducing glare and enhancing privacy. They are often used in high-end security cameras.

Yes, tinted plastic camera domes can be custom-made to your specifications. The standard minimum size is 4" in diameter, while the maximum size is usually 96". Colours such as bronze and grey are available, in addition to the standard tinted black.

No, not all tinted plastic camera domes are compatible with all cameras. It is important to ensure that the dome you choose is compatible with your camera's resolution. For example, the Weprofab plastic tinted camera housing dome cover is compatible with 1080p and 10-megapixel cameras.

To care for your tinted plastic camera dome, it is recommended to use a soft lens cleaning cloth and a plastic polish to remove any fine scratches. You can also look for domes with special coatings that enhance durability and performance, such as anti-fog and scratch-resistant coatings.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment