Garage lighting suggestions

**C. Charles Hahn** · 11-22-2010, 01:28 PM

Agreed about the angled vs. straight down... I really see no reason to angle them as long as they're positioned to shine straight down the side of the car for the most part. Of course, nothing is going to replace using a swirl finder light of some sort head-on if you need to see a defect you're trying to correct so the best you're going to get out of any fluorescent is going to be general task lighting. My Brinkmanns are never far away while I'm working because of this.

One other thing you will want to pay special attention to though is the color temperature and CRI of the fluorescent lamps you pick up to go into your lights. In my case, all the lamps are Phillips Alto-II F32T8 48" with 6500K color temp and a CRI of 86. I find the 6500K to be closest to natural sunlight, and the 86 CRI is plenty sufficient for accurate color rendering in this situation. Some will disagree and prefer 5000K since the lamps (at least what I've seen available) are 89 CRI, but I don't feel that they put out as much usable light and it just looks more artificial to my eyes. Definitely don't just go with standard 4100/4300K though -- the light output is much less effective and the CRI on most is terrible by comparison.

**indianaryan** · 11-22-2010, 01:42 PM

Ya, I never liked the "warm white" color. I didn't know about the "CRI". I'll have to watch that.

**C. Charles Hahn** · 11-22-2010, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by indianaryan

Ya, I never liked the "warm white" color. I didn't know about the "CRI". I'll have to watch that.

Yeah... CRI = Color Rendering Index. Here's some information on the subject:

Color Rendering Index (CRI) High Color Output Light Bulbs

I've seen some 98 CRI lamps, but they're damn expensive and really not needed for detailing purposes.

**ahimel** · 11-22-2010, 03:54 PM

Has anybody considered metal halide lamps? They are more expensive but the light they put off is only second to the sun.

**reality33** · 11-23-2010, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by ahimel

Has anybody considered metal halide lamps? They are more expensive but the light they put off is only second to the sun.

I have been toying around with the idea, but to be honest, I cannot find a housing that looks right in a garage that has 10' or lower ceilings. The light output is incredible, and they show off paint imperfections really well, but on the downside are expensive.

I think I will stick with T8's with a good CRI

**indianaryan** · 11-23-2010, 10:41 AM

I got the light fixtures at Walmart last night. They're cheaper than I remembered. They're $10 a piece and the brand is Lights of America. I think they should work out just fine. Walmart didn't have any decent bulbs, so I'll have to check elsewhere for those. For the 6500K bulbs, the CRI was only 75. I'll check Home Depot and see what they have to offer.

Mike Phillips · 11-23-2010, 10:43 AM

I'll see if my friend Lenny House can chime in...

He had the best lit shop I've ever seen and in the process of building and lighting his shop he did a lot of research into lighting for detailing cars and it would really be great if he could share what he learned.

**indianaryan** · 11-23-2010, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Mike.Phillips@Autogeek

I'll see if my friend Lenny House can chime in...

He had the best lit shop I've ever seen and in the process of building and lighting his shop he did a lot of research into lighting for detailing cars and it would really be great if he could share what he learned.

That would be really helpful Mike!

I haven't checked Home Depot yet, but I've found these online:

Philips 382614 F32T8/TL865 PLUS/ALTO Straight T8 Fluorescent Tube Light Bulb at eLightBulbs.com

Sylvania 21720 FO32/865/XP/ECO Straight T8 Fluorescent Tube Light Bulb at eLightBulbs.com

GE 16089 F32T8/XL/SPX65/ECO Straight T8 Fluorescent Tube Light Bulb at eLightBulbs.com

Are all of these good options? Are they worth the extra money based on the cost of a bulb that has a CRI of 75?

Shiny, is this the Philips bulb you said you are using?

**Emm** · 11-23-2010, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by reality33

I have been toying around with the idea, but to be honest, I cannot find a housing that looks right in a garage that has 10' or lower ceilings. The light output is incredible, and they show off paint imperfections really well, but on the downside are expensive.

I think I will stick with T8's with a good CRI

I work with MH lighting fixtures and they give off alot of heat