Black Paint/Swirls Under Light

I find 1000 watt halogens to be the standard for in garage defect spotting on black paint. I do use the 200-300 watt incandescents as secondary inspection lights but neither one replace the other. Both sources will reveal what might still be present.



Flashlights are OK, IMO, but certainly no substitute for both above. I could use a flashlight here and there but if I want handheld spot lighting I opt for the Brinkmann Dual Bean xenon light. I will look into Accumulator's SureFire though.
 
I find 1000 watt halogens to be the standard for in garage defect spotting on black paint. I do use the 200-300 watt incandescents as secondary inspection lights but neither one replace the other. Both sources will reveal what might still be present.



Flashlights are OK, IMO, but certainly no substitute for both above. I could use a flashlight here and there but if I want handheld spot lighting I opt for the Brinkmann Dual Bean xenon light. I will look into Accumulator's SureFire though.
 
I have had Surefire lights on my list of things to get, but not for detailing reasons.



But i could use it for spotting defects too :)
 
Accumulator said:
If you're gonna go with a flashlight I'd get something like my SureFires. Much brighter than a MagLite.



But I generally use an incandescent trouble light that takes a high-wattage (2-300W) bulb. I got mine at Lowes for maybe $20 or so. Used in an othewise dark garage it works great and covers more area than the flashlight. Works far better for me than halogen work lights.



The flashlights really do work well though, I even use mine to examine cars in showrooms- the SureFire is bright enough to overwhelm the regular lighting and make the defects show up.
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Just to resurrect this thread from the dead ... what SureFire light would you recommend? I'm looking to buy one for those times when I need to check for marring and the car's not in the sun (but still outside when it's daylight). Someone here mentioned candlepowerforums (a flashlight forum) which sucked me in for about a week :) ... wow, are they SERIOUS about their flashlights! Anyway, after a lot of reading, I'm considering either the 6P/G2 (2 battery) or the 9P (3 battery). The 9P is brighter (105 lumens) than the 6P/G2 (65 lumens), but I was wondering if I needed the extra brightness.
 
toml said:
.. I'm considering either the 6P/G2 (2 battery) or the 9P (3 battery). The 9P is brighter (105 lumens) than the 6P/G2 (65 lumens), but I was wondering if I needed the extra brightness.
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Get the 9P. My wife and I use the 6Ps for everyday use, and IMO they're not all *that* bright. I'm currently in love with my M4, but it's a bit pricey. IMO you can't get "too bright", it's hard enough to get "bright enough".



I'd check out Lowe's for an incandescent trouble light too. A high-wattage one with a 300W bulb will show *everything* when used in an otherwise dark shop.



But the SureFire is a good thing to have for all sorts of reasons. Stock up on the CR123 batteries, these things eat 'em like crazy.
 
Accumulator said:
Get the 9P. My wife and I use the 6Ps for everyday use, and IMO they're not all *that* bright. I'm currently in love with my M4, but it's a bit pricey. IMO you can't get "too bright", it's hard enough to get "bright enough".



I'd check out Lowe's for an incandescent trouble light too. A high-wattage one with a 300W bulb will show *everything* when used in an otherwise dark shop.



But the SureFire is a good thing to have for all sorts of reasons. Stock up on the CR123 batteries, these things eat 'em like crazy.
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Thanks for the reply! 9P it'll be. I can get the batteries at the same time for anywhere from $1 (Titanium brand) to $1.10 (Battery Station brand) to $1.60 (Surefire brand) each.



I did search for the 300W incandescent trouble light at Lowe's, Home Depot, etc., but it seems that nearly all fixtures are 75W. At least I didn't find one any higher.
 
toml said:
I did search for the 300W incandescent trouble light at Lowe's, Home Depot, etc., but it seems that nearly all fixtures are 75W. At least I didn't find one any higher.
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Do a walk-through at Lowe's and see if they have them in the store. My Lowe's did and the one by Bill D in FLA recently got them too. Could be worth a trip if they're not too far from you.



I got a bunch of batteries from the Battery Station. I can't help but wonder if they last as long as "name brand" ones, but they sure are affordable.
 
Yeah, search through Lowe's and also Home Depot. In my area, they now stock the 300W model in both stores. They should bee in the aisle where the electrical cords are sold.
 
With the surefire though, you'll eventually have to wear gloves as they get HOT.



Those little 3volt lithiums aren't meant to be pushed so hard, lol :)
 
Bill D said:
Yeah, search through Lowe's and also Home Depot. In my area, they now stock the 300W model in both stores. They should bee in the aisle where the electrical cords are sold.
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I'll check, thanks!
 
autobahn said:
With the surefire though, you'll eventually have to wear gloves as they get HOT.



Those little 3volt lithiums aren't meant to be pushed so hard, lol :)
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That's a good point, I hardly ever have mine on all that long at one stretch.
 
Accumulator said:
That's a good point, I hardly ever have mine on all that long at one stretch.
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I made the mistake of trying to use it to do an airbag repair... after about 10 or 15 minutes of nearly continuous use, you could almost fry an egg on it :)



I think for detailing use it would be fine, keep it on for a minute, leave it off for a couple minutes...



That's the only bad part about surefires, they're not really made for continuous use. Nothing brighter, though.
 
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