TL;DR
Get furniture and decor delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A Hunker report describes a DIY from YouTube channel Glue Guns & Roses that raises Dollar Tree outdoor solar lights by fitting them over painted wooden dowels. The report estimates each upgraded light costs less than $5, but actual prices and durability can vary; it does not provide independent performance testing.
A DIY featured by Hunker shows how to raise Dollar Tree outdoor solar lights by fitting each light over a painted wooden dowel, offering a low-cost way to change their height and appearance. The report, citing the YouTube channel Glue Guns & Roses, estimates the materials can keep each upgraded light under $5, though prices vary and the source does not report independent tests of the finished fixtures.
The basic project calls for one wooden dowel per light, spray paint and a Dollar Tree solar light. Hunker says the dowel should be narrower than the opening at the bottom of the solar light stake, so the fixture can sit over it without adhesive. The report gives approximate prices of $1.50 per solar light and $0.78 for a Hello Hobby dowel, while noting that products and styles may vary.
For the version using traditional black-stake lights, the report suggests painting the dowel black to match. It recommends outdoor spray paint that also provides a protective coating, naming Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch 2X Ultra Cover as an example. The dowel should dry for at least 20 minutes before installation, according to the instructions described by Hunker.
To install, press at least one-third of the dowel into the ground for stability, then place the solar light over its exposed end. If the soil is hard, the report suggests watering the area to soften it. It also describes styling options, including bright paint colors, grouping lights, or spacing them about 6 to 8 feet apart along a walkway. Glue Guns & Roses is also credited with showing solar lights beneath inverted stemless glasses.
A Taller Look Without New Fixtures
The idea addresses a practical limitation of short solar stake lights: their low height can make them less visible among plants or along a path. Adding a dowel can raise the light source without replacing the solar fixture, while paint gives homeowners a way to coordinate the supports with a yard or garden. The DIY could appeal to people who already own these lights and want to reuse them rather than buy taller landscape fixtures.
The savings are an estimate, not a verified price guarantee. Hunker’s calculation uses approximate item prices, and the total could change with local availability, paint costs, the number of lights, and whether materials are already on hand. The report also offers no measurements of brightness, operating time, weather resistance or long-term stability after the modification. Readers should treat the project as a decorative adjustment, not evidence that the lights will perform better.
Products Worth Considering
Philips Hue Large Smart Light Tube, Black – White and Color Ambiance LED Color-Changing Light – 1 Pack
Philips Hue Festavia Globe Outdoor String Lights, 32 Bulbs, 91 ft
Bose TV Speaker Compact Soundbar with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC, Black
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How the Dowels Fit the Solar Stakes
The project is an adaptation of inexpensive solar stake lights, which combine a small solar panel, a rechargeable battery and an LED in a fixture intended to be pushed into the ground. In the method Hunker describes, the dowel acts as an extension of the stake: the light’s open lower end slides over the wood, with the fit holding the pieces together. No glue or other bonding material is specified.
Hunker notes that Dollar Tree offers different solar-light designs at different times of year, including seasonal versions. Because shapes and stake openings can differ, the central practical requirement is that the dowel be narrow enough to fit securely inside the particular fixture. The report does not say that every model will fit every dowel, so checking the dimensions before painting or installing several lights is sensible.
“The dowel rod should fit inside the solar light stake.”
— Hunker, describing the Glue Guns & Roses project
Fit, Stability and Weather Life
The supplied report does not specify dowel length or thickness, provide a product-by-product fit guide, or test whether the solar lights remain secure in wind or after prolonged exposure to rain and humidity. The suggested outdoor paint is presented as a protective option, but no durability results are given for the painted wood or the modified fixture. The source also does not establish whether raising a particular model changes how much sunlight its panel receives or how long it runs at night.
Prices and product availability can change, and the report’s figures should be understood as approximate. It is also unclear how well the glass-cover variation performs outdoors or whether the glass affects the light’s output. Readers should check the fixture’s fit and keep the panel exposed to daylight; the article does not provide formal product-safety or weather-resistance testing.
Check the Fit Before Installation
The report does not announce a product launch or formal follow-up; it presents a repeatable home project. Anyone trying it can first test one light and dowel together, confirm the fixture sits securely, and choose a location where the solar panel will receive daylight. Follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions, including its full drying and outdoor-use guidance, rather than relying only on the report’s 20-minute minimum.
Before setting lights along a path, check that the stakes remain stable in the soil and do not obstruct walking areas. For readers seeking measured information, the next useful evidence would be longer-term observations of weather exposure, fit and nighttime performance; none is included in the source report.
Key Questions
What materials does the DIY use?
The project uses a Dollar Tree solar light, a wooden dowel narrower than the light’s stake opening, and spray paint. Hunker says one dowel is needed for each light.
How much does each upgraded light cost?
Hunker estimates less than $5 per light, using approximate prices of $1.50 for a solar light and $0.78 for a dowel. The estimate may not include all paint costs and can vary by store and availability.
Does the dowel need to be glued to the light?
No adhesive is specified in the report. The light’s open bottom is meant to fit over the dowel, but the fit depends on the dimensions of the particular light and dowel.
How deep should the dowel go into the ground?
Hunker’s instructions say to place at least one-third of the dowel below ground for stability. The report suggests watering hard soil to soften it before insertion.
Has the modified light been tested for durability?
The supplied report gives no independent tests of weather resistance, wind stability, brightness or operating time. Its paint recommendation and cost figure are guidance and estimates, not performance guarantees.
Source: hunker.com
