what type of lighting is used at gas stations?

[andrew300]

i thought my car was swirl free until i saw it today under gas station lights. what lights are those? halogen or flouresent? what would be some good recomendations that i could for my garage? you cant see any paint defect under my garage lighting but man was i sad when i was filling up the tank.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I knew there was a good reason for getting gas during the day...

 

[imported_dpeezy415]

I would guess fluorescent but not sure...



Funny, I just got back from the gas station a couple of hours ago just to use the lights to inspect my work tonight.



Wash/Spot Clay/SG/UGE

AA on tires (gotta use it up...)



I AIO/SG'ed this past weekend and slowly working her back to form...



AIO + 2xSG + 4*UGE = :xyxthumbs

 

[andrew300]

ok well i have to be more specific here. i dont want to run any lighting, i just want some good light to spot defects that is portable. portable is the key right now. i dont need anything special but just a good light source too see most of the defects. after im done ill take it down to the gas station

 

[TEGBOY]

They are usually gas discharge bulbs. Same ones that in gym's and school statums

 

[benpocock]

I had a quick Google and came up with the following. It would appear that garage forecourt lights are either sodium (orange glow), mercury, or metal halide. Quite fancy a few of the really bright white ones in my garage!



http://www.vandalite.com/vandal/Dat-Octane.pdf



Ben

 

[jimmybuffit]

Metal Halide.



Jim

 

[dc5]

trying looking into holophane lighting.

 

[togwt]

ok well i have to be more specific here. i dont want to run any lighting, i just want some good light to spot defects that is portable. portable is the key right now. i dont need anything special but just a good light source too see most of the defects. after im done ill take it down to the gas station

Inspection Lighting

JonM

 

[wannafbody]

the lights at mall parking lots reveal a lot of paint imperfections-mine has acid rain pits and etching

 

[andrew300]

wow, lots of different answers. could someone give me a link to where i could get some?

 

[Accumulator]

manawar- Griot's sells metal halides, IIRC. But I'd contact a local electrical contractor. Probably be cheaper and they could recommend somebody to install them. These are the sort of lights that generally require professional hardwiring.



FWIW, I don't think you *really* need them. Between halogens and high-wattage incandescents I can spot even the finest micromarring, even on silver. Just gassed up the S8 and the minivan the other night, no surprises under the gas station lights.

 

[STBear]

Pep Boys has a Twin-Head Halogen Light with stand on sale for $14.99 after $5.00 mail in rebate.