What type and kind of lighting is everyone using to help spot their paint problems they are trying to correct. I currently only have 2 Fluorescent shop lights and they really don't give me the lighting that I need. I would need something that is some what easy for me to go and buy as well. Something at like Lowe's or autogeek.

 

I don't know how you can beat the portable double halogen lights at HD or lowes. Very portable, on a tripod, cheap, do a great job.
People say they get hot (they do), use a lot of electricity (can't be much).
You need a lot of light to really see what you are doing.

 

I use (2) 500w lamps + a xenon light which works great. You can probably get the Brinkman at a local PepBoys. and roughly run around $29. Here is the lamp
http://www.amazon.com/Brinkmann-Maxf...3850410&sr=8-2

 

I have the double head with 2-300W halogne bulbs in each. they work great and can provide some heat in the winter months.

But for free and top notch lighting, just drive the car outside on a sunny day and use the sun. Nothing will ever be as good as that

 

Too much pollen in the air down here to buff a car outside. Then in the summer its way too hot (100+ degs with 2 million percent humidity, or more like 120%).

 

I live in ATL, and grew up near Gulf Shores AL, so I konw ALLLL about that. Thats why I picked a house with absolutley NO pine trees around.

 

I have 4 monster pine trees right outside the garage. When I say monsters I am talking 5 foot diameter at the base and around 110 to 120 feet tall.

 

a brinkmann is great for the price.

 

Thanks B. Wanna come on down and do if for me too?

I think I am going to get the Halogens on a stand for working and the Brinkman for checking.

 

I like the halogens until its 90 degrees out, then its pretty brutal to work under them.

 

Paint Surface Inspection Lighting:

Inspect your work under full sunlight or purpose-made paint inspection lamps; holograms, fine marring hooks, etc. are very difficult to see under man made light. There's nothing more frustrating than having to strip off your LSP and re-do. General lighting - double head with 2-300Watt halogen bulbs in each

1.Brinkmann REI - most LED’s merely glow, but Rebel's highly efficient, finely focused lens casts a 40-ft. beam of far-reaching light. Fish-eye-shaped lens focuses the light from the single white LED bulb into a bright, consistent beam; no dark spot in the beam's centre, the LED bulb is nearly indestructible and draws very little power, greatly extending battery life; runs on two AA batteries, included, a tough ABS plastic is armoured with thick, no-slip rubber grips Push-button on/off switch inset in the back cap REI - http://www.rei.com/product/47576705.htm

2.The 3M Sun Gun™ Colour Matching Light - can be used throughout the refinish process, the percentage of light vs. natural day light is CRI (Colour Rendering Index) = 99.35%: identify paint defects such as swirl marks, burn through, sand scratches, etc., which will reduce the chance of costly re-work- TCP Global - http://www.tcpglobal.com/3m/3msungun.aspx or Autobarn - http://www.autobarn.net/bkm800-2200.html

3.Infratech CM5300 – Colour Matcher - this light is a great alternative to the 3M Sun Gun. Runs on mains electricity not batteries, a must have tool and it’s also an inexpensive investment. High Colour Temperature 5300K Duplicates Natural sunlight under any condition, high power 70 Watts, large coverage area, hand held lightweight, momentary "On/Off" switch, identify pre-or-post paint correction / renovation defects, eliminate re-doing or call-backs – http//:www.infratech-usa.com/

 

3m sungun is excellent, but very expensive....my wife almost flipped over the 350 dollar flashlight as she called it.

 

My garage has quite a few 4-8' fluorescent lights and I would have never seen a quarter size defect in the paint or the etching into the clear coat from a bird stain. Natural sunlight never showed a thing. Just my 2 cents.