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Bring Imperial Style Home With This DIY Death Star Panel Light Switch Plate

We’re all fine, here, just making a Star Wars craft, thank you. How are you?

March 4, 2019

Luke Skywalker and Han Solo make quick work of the door panels and cameras in Detention Block AA-23 during the heart-pounding rescue of Princess Leia in Star Wars: A New Hope. You can copy the Death Star’s striking style in your own home by adding a panel on the wall that looks just like the ones they blast. Instead of opening a cell door, however, this one will switch on your lights!

What You’ll Need*

Large light switch plastic plate (2-gang, 1-blank)
Red spray paint
Red acrylic paint
Silver spray paint
2 large and 1 small rubber cone washers (used in plumbing)
3 thin metal ring washers
Green and red glitter glue
Thin black duct tape
Silver duct tape (or any shiny silver tape)
Clear glue
Craft knife / scissors
Ruler
Pencil
Air-dry clay (optional)

*The activities in this article should only be done with adult supervision.

Get Started!

Step 1: Begin by using the air-dry clay to fill the two holes on the blank side of the plate, if desired. Spray paint the light switch plate red. Set aside and let dry completely.

Step 2: Next, spray paint the rubber cone washers and metal washers silver, and let dry completely.

Step 3: Cut a strip of the black duct tape about 9 cm. long, or the length of the light switch plate you’re using. Gently stick it to the table you’re working on. Trace the large rubber cone washer along the side of the tape, and cut out the half-circle. Peel the tape from the table and stick it to the red plate next to the opening for the light switch.

Step 4: Cut another 9 cm. piece of black duct tape and lightly stick it to the table. Place the smaller rubber cone washer on the tape and mark the top and bottom. Cut the tape into two pieces, leaving a gap where you marked it.

Step 5: Trace the larger cone washer on the bottom piece of tape and cut out a half circle. Line it up with the other half circle you cut previously in the first piece of tape, and stick this tape alongside it.

Tip: Peeling and re-sticking the black tape can remove the spray paint from the plastic! If you’re having trouble lining up the pieces, don’t press too hard on the black tape until you have it where you want it. If you do accidentally pull paint from the plate, you can use red acrylic paint to touch it up.

Step 6: Next, cut three thin strips of silver tape the length of the plate. If you’re having trouble making straight cuts, stick the silver tape on a cutting mat and run the craft knife along a ruler.

Step 7: Place two silver strips along the left and top edges. Place the remaining strip on the right of the light switch, closer to the switch than to the edge.

Step 8: Use the clear glue to glue the cone washers and metal washers to the light switch plate between the black and silver tape on the left side.

Step 9: While the glue is drying, paint the screws that came with the light switch plate red. Let dry.