Paint Evaluation & Lighting

[GTP LS1]

I have a black Z28 Camaro that is not a daily driver. It is garage kept in my 1 car garage. I recently installed 5 large florescent lights (purchased them from Home Depot). Each fixture holds two 3 or 4 foot florescent tubes. The garage is very bright but I am still having trouble seeing swirls and the sides of the car down low are not bright enough. I was thinking of purchasing a hand held florescent from Sears to help see the sides of the car better.



The garage is not large enough for the tripod style Halogen worklights. The garage is just large enough for me to polish the car. When I polish the side of the car it is a little tight but I can still manage to work with my PC).



What are my best options? I have heard the Halogen lights show swirls better. I was looking and noticed that Sears sells a floor standing (it literally sits 5 inches off the floor) 500w Halogen worklight. I was thinking of purchasing that and aiming it at an angle at the sides of the car.



What are some options?

[jfelbab]

Sears also sells a tripod mounted dual head 1000 watt unit that telescopes to 70 inches. It`s great at showing any paint defects. You do need the height to show the hood, roof and trunk properly. The units I use extend to 70 inches. Understand that your garage is too small for a tripod you can also buy fixed-mount halogen fixtures and install them permanently. I saw several different units at a local Home Depot.

[GTP LS1]

Thanks for the reply.



I am concerned with my space limitations. I looked at Sears online this morning and they sell a light that has a tripod and also a portable stand. I may look into that model.



I could place the light on the ground and angle it towards the side of the car.



I also heard these lights can get very hot so I don`t want to get burned.



I guess maybe the best thing to do would be to back the car up when working on the front of it and vice-versa.

[Accumulator]

GTP LS1- Don`t take this as a blow-off, but you might want to search on this. We`ve gone around and around on lighting a zillion times and I don`t have time to repeat everything now (just noticed the time :eek: ).



Short version: I have *dozens* of fluorescent tubes in my garage, but for swirl spotting I use halogens, high-wattage incandescents and acute-angle natural sunlight.



Even a cheapie old-style work light with a bright bulb can make marring really jump out at you in a darkened garage. Sorta like the way lights in a parking lot can bring them out at night.

[GTP LS1]

I did a search and it helped. I am new here so I should have tried that before I posted.

[topnotchtouch]

This is the one that I have. Very good investment. I would also look at a hand held flourescant shop light as well. The hand held unit is great for looking over the lower panels. I put mine on the floor and look down the panel from above, works great. It can be depressing though to see all the little flaws in your paint.



http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?vertical=TOOL&pid=03473927000&bidsite=CRAFT&BV_SessionID=@@@@0488736184.1093368978@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfcadcmgegheegcehgcemgdffmdflg.0

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/27601200watt.jpg



http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?vertical=TOOL&pid=03473911000&bidsite=CRAFT&BV_SessionID=@@@@0488736184.1093368978@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfcadcmgegheegcehgcemgdffmdflg.0

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/276003473911000-dlv.jpg