Lighting.....

Do you want the best performance or the cheapest you can get buy with. :) Halogen fixtures produce a nice light - IMO, but can be salty depending on where you purchase them. For the low budget approach, I personally have a combination of 4' & 8' florescent (sp) fixtures in my shop. 8 evenly spaced on the ceiling and 4 mounted on the side walls near the ceiling pointed down at an angle. This is what I consider to be a bare minimum. I have a 4' light mounted to my supply cart which I roll next to the vehicle when I do an interior. This helps illuminate the inside.
Mercury Vapor fixtures will light up anything you need to see, but be prepaired to dig deep. :ticked
Just my 2 cents, hope it helps.
Dave
 
Gordon: You may want to pick up a portable halogen light (the ones with the grille's on them). They show defects like crazy. My client had one yesterday that was a single. We flipped over a garbage can and put it on it. I just moved it around with me.

For over head, fluorescents is definately key.
 
Maybe a set-up like this would help you see all the defects.
P00003691.jpg


Eric
 
Definitely some good post here. I use 2 8' 2 lamp strip lights, with HO ballast and lamps. These will start in cold weather. I work out of my garage and its not heated, so its important to have HO type lamps if you are in a similar situation. Mercury Vapor and Metal Halide may be too much unless you have high ceiling (20' plus). They will also cost you $$. I think that I pay somewhere between 150 and 500 depending on wattage and type (industrial/commercial). Also make sure that you have adequate side lighting a little lower. I have to put in another light because the overhead doesn't provide enough side lights. Halogen roll arounds are nice, but get very hot. Just some feedback from an electrician.
 
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