Best Lighting Options

eyesack · 03-20-08, 02:34

So, I've realized that lighting is key to a perfect detail, paint-wise. Right now i'm running 15000 watt halogens and one 100w light bulb on the ceiling. this setup sucks cuz i have to constantly back the car in and out of the garage, turn it around to get the other side of the car, etc., etc. And i have a fear of, when doing the roof of the car, that the halogens are going to fall on it!
What is the best lighting setup? I would love to have those big dome-like flourescents like dealerships have in their bays, but I need natural light too. Halogens are great at spotting swirls and scratches, but I always have to bring whatever car I'm working on into the sun to spot holograms and i think the halo's are a bit cumbersome. Is there any way I can bring the sun into my garage? figureatively speaking of course. I was also thinking of painting my walls white to help reflect light better.
I have a two-door garage, and work out of the right side of it. if you guys want pics of my garage i'll get some.

Accumulator · 03-20-08, 03:39

I've never been able to see light holograms in anything except natural sunlight (and I've tried a lot of different light sources). E.g., the "natural spectrum sun guns" don't work for me. IIRC Mike Phillips tried a bunch of different things (with Meguiar's footing the bill I presume

) and also decided that natural sunlight is in a league by itself with regard to spotting light holograms.

For regular, light marring, you know how your ceiling-mounted incandescent works so well? I dunno if you'll ever find anything that works better. I have a hand-held incandescent that I use, but sometimes I still miss something that shows up under the ceiling-mounted ones.

detailjohn · 03-20-08, 08:08

Don't even mess with anything but Metal Halides. We have 1000 watters all over my shop in all different light spectrums. You can see everything in the shop.

John

rydawg · 03-20-08, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by detailjohn

Don't even mess with anything but Metal Halides. We have 1000 watters all over my shop in all different light spectrums. You can see everything in the shop.

John

I agree totally.

Accumulator · 03-21-08, 09:42

It's good to know that the metal halides work so well. I've toyed with the idea of adding some to my current shop, but the work involved has always left me

as I'd hate to go through that only to *not* be happy with them.

If I were building the shop *today*....oh well, coulda/woulda/shoulda....