my lights are going up sunday. need advice!

[Nautical]

Having done lighting in my past two garages (soon to be the third) I will say, plan it all out before committing and do it the way you ultimately want it the first time. I would recommend getting as many lights that you think you`ll need, then a couple more. Lay them out on the ground where you think you`ll want to place them and that will help visually as well. I always thought I had enough but after laying them out wished I had done more or later them out slightly differently. Also, take a look at the Garage Journals Lighting & Electrical section and see how others laid out similar spaces.

Also, you can almost never have too much light. And if you`re really wanting lights down the side, I`d go with something like the 4ft LED lights since it`s lower profile.

 

[ShawnF350]

Brandt, two rows in your case would be good same direction as car.
3 rows would put the center row directly over the opener rod, forcing you to orient the other way.

With your detailing frequency I`m gonna agree with others.
You need more lights. The more rows you have, we can have you closer to the wall which will help lighting the sides.
Do 2 switches too. One for general lighting and the 2nd switch for boosted lighting when detailing.
When I was about 22, the plans we had never gave measurements for centers of those neat layouts like Rasky posted . A seasoned electrician showed me such an easy way to do it I never forgot. AND I use that trick on hanging things on walls. Like plates, photos etc.
Also since my new house had a rocked garage, I didn`t feel like laying out for stud centers for those lag eyes.
I used 1/4" toggles with eye bolts. A fender washer to the ceiling with a nut. Layout kept me away from studs.

For all you others who have to have the best, I took back the best stud finder from Depot and bought this.
Best stud finder I`ve ever had! !!!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0064EICK...argid=kwd-166294209625&ref=pd_sl_84hgtkd5j7_b


https://youtu.be/bb496WN6FIw



Good luck. .....

 

[512detail]

im gonna do something like this over on side by where i park the cars.

also probably need consider some type of track based light with 2 or 3 bulbs i can move if need be

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[Nautical]

im gonna do something like this over on side by where i park the cars.

also probably need consider some type of track based light with 2 or 3 bulbs i can move if need be

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Two things to consider. The lack of lights in the middle of each bay will give you some shadowing and uneven light output.

Second, I assume you detail cars in the middle of the garage, and that setup isn`t very ideal in that scenario.

 

[512detail]

Two things to consider. The lack of lights in the middle of each bay will give you some shadowing and uneven light output.

Second, I assume you detail cars in the middle of the garage, and that setup isn`t very ideal in that scenario.

you don`t think if I tightened them up and had each of the two car length wise rows over the (edges) of the side of the car I`d be ok?

the wall lights may have to go or just mount them on the wall halfway up or something for lighting the driver side of cars when they are pulled right in

I don`t park in the exact middle of the garage so if you look at the OP you can see the dashed out area- that area I would not be putting lights on top of

this `square` box would essentially start almost at the opening for the attic and line down the length of the garage

I don`t care if I have to put up 18 lights! I will buy more if I have to.

 

[512detail]

other options from that link shared earlier

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[Nautical]

The top left one should give good, even lighting. I`d just put it on separate zones as recommended above.

 

[512detail]

The top left one should give good, even lighting. I`d just put it on separate zones as recommended above.

what about side lights?

what do you all think about my lights on the wall idea? or should I just try to put the 4 ft ones there too ?

 

[512detail]

two zones - one for the lights car length wise and one for the others?

I still am interested in the dimmers but is that a lost cause?

 

[Nautical]

what about side lights?

what do you all think about my lights on the wall idea? or should I just try to put the 4 ft ones there too ?

My personal thoughts on side lights are, unless it`s 100% a dedicated detailing garage, they`d just be an annoyance to have to watch out for. I contemplated the same thing with the previous garage but ultimately likes the versatility of a separate light (on a stand or ground). That way you can manipulate the lighting as needed and it also serves its purpose when working in dark areas such as interiors, wheel wells, etc.

two zones - one for the lights car length wise and one for the others?

I still am interested in the dimmers but is that a lost cause?

You could set it up as you see fit. Either do a zone that is just perimeter lighting, just the middle lights or only two lights so it`s just enough to be able to see your way through the garage.

And I personally don`t see a need for dimmers either, but that`s me. With a zone of only a few lights you shouldn`t need them.

 

[Mary B]

finally getting some lights hung in garage

here is a pic and some high quality sketches, lol

or

other options from that link shared earlier

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Brandt K.
This is your progress thus far... Amazing ?!
A couple extra outlets on the walls would give an easy way to expand at a later date, if need be.
You`re doing great !! Good luck B)

 

[512detail]

haha I stole those schematics from another post!

my progress so far has included some quality heffe`s and a t bone steak

ha

 

[Ancient_1]

My son and I have been doing some renovation of my garage this summer and these are the lights I am using. They are 70 watt LED`s at 5000k and 6500 lumen.The pictures taken don`t do justice to their brightness even though the one side shot is pretty close to what the sides of the car looks and the one from outside is close.

This 1st one is a shot I did this spring before we started which I took after I finished the 1st step polishing my car.

This one I took just recently from a similar angle but shows the lights also.

Here is one of the side without the lights or reflection off the walls to affect the exposure.

And finally one I took with my phone looking at it from outside, the outside Lights are actually 15 watt 1500 lumen bulbs even tho it is deceiving because how bright the garage is.

 

[512detail]

im gonna buy more led lights
do i need to get some brighter than what i have?
4ft led 32w 4k watts

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[Mary B]

haha I stole those schematics from another post!

my progress so far has included some quality heffe`s and a t bone steak

ha

At least you have tooth picks <_<

im gonna buy more led lights
do i need to get some brighter than what i have?
4ft led 32w 4k watts

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I put 4- 5000k lights in the mix with my 6-4000k and it was like turnin` on the sun, BIG difference.

 

[ShawnF350]

Good luck

 

[512detail]

got these up today
going to do a few cars and see where i want the rest. looks much better already

only had to pay for parts too, sweet

now time to wash my car and pull it into the garage

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[Nautical]

Painting the walls and ceiling white will help as well.

 

[512detail]

i also need some serious reorganization and shelves up high

we`re gonna hang four more doubles (on a 2nd switch). two garage length ways in between the ones hung width wise

also considering small track lights on the wall, possibly even something that will just plug into the wall



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[dcjredline]

I would go for the bottom right layout. I did that same thing and have 2, 4` lights on the wall next to the cars. Works out very well for me.