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  1. #1
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    Post Affordable hand held light for finding coating high spots?

    Hi all,

    I have 2 white cars - have already coated one and only ended up with 1 small high spot that I missed. I would like better lighting for when I apply to my second vehicle this spring.

    What is an affordable light for a hobbyist that only does his own vehicles? I do not want to spend the $$ for a Scangrip or whatever - not worth the cost for applying coatings twice every 4 years or so for me. What is the best I can do under $50?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Mike Phillips
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    Re: Affordable hand held light for finding coating high spots?

    The Griot's light is nice, but a tick higher than $50.00

    It does come with some cool features though...


    Griot's Garage THE BOSS LED Swirl-Finder Light


    In some of my car detailing projects I've used this light and it's worked really well, sorry can't think of any "titles" to share at this moment.

    I am coating a black Camaro and I'll re-visit this light for a high spot finder.



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  4. #3
    Super Member fly07sti's Avatar
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    Re: Affordable hand held light for finding coating high spots?

    The Flex swirl finder light is a nice piece. $44.95

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  6. #4
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    Re: Affordable hand held light for finding coating high spots?

    I have the Flex light. Works very well

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  8. #5
    Super Member Coatingsarecrack's Avatar
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    Re: Affordable hand held light for finding coating high spots?

    Second Griots boss swirl finding light


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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  10. #6
    Super Member Coatingsarecrack's Avatar
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    Re: Affordable hand held light for finding coating high spots?

    Quote Originally Posted by Coatingsarecrack View Post
    Second Griots boss swirl finding light


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Griots has for 59$. Get a PM


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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  12. #7
    Super Member rlmccarty2000's Avatar
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    Re: Affordable hand held light for finding coating high spots?

    Back it out into the sun and you will see the high spots for free.

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  14. #8
    Mike Phillips
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    Re: Affordable hand held light for finding coating high spots?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Phillips View Post

    The Griot's light is nice, but a tick higher than $50.00

    I am coating a black Camaro and I'll re-visit this light for a high spot finder.
    Re-visited.

    I'll share a picture or two and give you my thoughts now that the Ccar is coated.



    Quote Originally Posted by rlmccarty2000 View Post

    Back it out into the sun and you will see the high spots for free.

    I'm a huge fan of using the sun for inspecting paint, and I'm pretty sure I cover this topic in my how-to book, "The Complete Guide to a Show Car Shine". Also use the sun myself - ESPECIALLY when I want to document the true swirl condition of a car BEFORE I start work. And specifically if the car has holograms.

    That said, IF the sun is out then it's really only good for inspecting the horizontal surfaces and these are the easiest surfaces to inspect. Most "enthusiasts" have a light of some form on the ceiling of their garage so either with the sun or artificial light, the average person can inspect for high spots on the horizontal surfaces, hood, roof and trunk lid.

    Where it gets tricky and where it also gets difficult is the vertical panels. In fact, we experienced what I would call a High Spot Emergency, here at Autogeek and after learning of it I wrote the below article and now include this story in ALL my detailing classes as a way to teach or educate people the value and importance of having a GREAT hand held light if they or ANYONE is going to install a coating.

    Oh... let's just say it like it should be say, apply a coating.



    Here's my article.... and the picture of my friend Jeff in the article, that's what I do and that's what I did last night after applying a coating to a black Camaro. The hood and trunk lid were easy to inspect, but in order to REALLY see what was going on at the surface level of the Camaro I needed a powerful light.


    Installing a Ceramic Paint Coating? You MUST have a GREAT hand held light to avoid high spots!







    OF course, as stated in my first post to this thread, I used the Griot's BOSS light for this project.


    Hang tight.... I'll be back....




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  16. #9
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    Re: Affordable hand held light for finding coating high spots?

    Great - thanks! That looks promising. It's a bit more than I was looking to spend (especially delivered in Canada) but looks very promising. I love Griot's garage products.

  17. #10
    Super Member Paul A.'s Avatar
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    Re: Affordable hand held light for finding coating high spots?

    Let us know how you make out. We will probably be almost as excited as you if you find out it wasn't CC damage!

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