So.. I'm getting new to this all, I decided to go out and buy myself a twin halogen 500w worklamp stand last night.. Each one can be un-mounted and used individually, as well as the two can come off on one bar, and can be set on the ground, seperate from the tri-pod worklight stand.. It's pretty snazzy!! As a side-note, I also have an original fluerescent Ott-Lite that I use for my other hobbies, and when working on my car also.. I might employ the use of this for my detailing ventures as well...

Usually, I tend to do all of my detailing during the day in my 3-bay garage, with all the doors and windows open, using natural light.. But due to time constraints and such lately, I'll probably have to resort to more detail sessions in the evenings, going later into the wee hours of the night.. So, enter new Worklamp Stand lol

I fired her up last night in my garage out of curiousity, and couldn't really come across a happy medium of what position to have the lighting on my car/paint during Polishing and LSP application...


What do you guys use for your lighting, and how do you go about it??
Thoughts, opinions, comments.. please!

 

I have 500w halogens on a tripod, 1000w halogens on a tripod, Brinkman (on order), and a 220-lumen LED light.


... And of course the sun

Also, I wouldn't recommend detailing with all the doors/windows open in the garage, especially if you garage gets sun all day long. Polishes have been known to not take too kindly to humid temperatures, and especially in direct sun light. (this is only if your garage gets direct sun light--which mine does)

 

Noo.. My garage rarely sees full sun, except for in the mornings... plus, my garage is also the bottom story of my 3 story house.. so, there is no direct sunlight really into the garage.. just a couple of the windows during the morning hours..

Sounds like you've got quite the setup man!!
How do you position your lighting when applying polish and LSP's?? out of curiousity..

 

I added four flourescent fixtures in the carport plus I have the Hand held light. Sometimes the scratches show up better under the original 40w lights than they do under the bright lights.

Basement also has flourescent on all four sides of work bay.

I have a couple of blacklight bulbs that I intend to try. Ford inplant body repair technicians used the blacklight to do paintless body repair. You could see every little ripple, dimple, dent, or ding with the blacklight.

 

Thanks!

I just used the fluorescents in my garage when using LSP. Then go over it with the LED after everything is wiped. The LED light captures the tiniest of smudges.

 

Very interesting idea there.. I actually have a couple handheld blacklights from ages ago that I could use.. Never thought of that!!! I'd also assume, that with a fresh coat of wax or sealant on your paint, under blacklight, you could probably check for left-over residue?? Good call!

 

1 Twin 500 watt Halogen head
1 Single 500 watt halogen head on the floor
4 32w overhead fluorescent fixtures
1 portable and rechargeable fluorescent fixture on the floor for the sides of the car.

Sunlight