A utility knife will cut acrylic light panels.
Plastic light panels are made from acrylic sheeting that can be cut in a variety of ways. These panels often have mild to heavy texturing on one side to help diffuse the light from fluorescent tubes and provide a soft, even light for work spaces and home lighting. Cut your light panel with the smooth side facing upward for the most accurate cut, as it is difficult to keep a blade moving on a straight line over some textures.
Instructions
1. Mark the smooth side of your lighting panel where you want to make the cut, using a straight edge and a dry-erase marker. The marker can be cleaned off easily after you make your cut.
2. Tape along both sizes of the marker line on both the top and bottom of the panel, using two layers of 1-inch or wider . Press the tape down firmly and keep it straight along your lines. The tape will reduce damage if the knife slips and may help keep the plastic from chipping.
3. Set your straight edge along your marker line and drag a utility knife down the entire length of the line. Press lightly--you aren't trying to cut all the way through; you just need to score the material a little.
4. Drag the knife along the line approximately seven more times, increasing the pressure slightly, until you have cut a little more than halfway through the panel's thickness.
5. Set the panel on the edge of a work table or other flat surface so the scored line is even with the edge. The part of the panel you want to keep should rest fully on the table, and the excess should hang over the edge.
6. Press down on the excess piece of acrylic until it snaps off at your scored line. File down any rough edges with a metal file or rasp.
7. Wipe away any remaining marker with a rag and remove the masking tape.
Tags: along your, light panels, marker line, masking tape, , smooth side