Where to get proper lights - halogen or xenon?

[LeadingEdgeDetail]

Hi all,

This is the work light that I got for myself a couple of weeks ago. I did a lot of searching and I thought this one would meet my needs the best. Notice that the lights are detachable and ride on their own stand, or you can use the tripod. I found it useful to detach when I am working on side panels or detailing wheel wells/ suspension, and it keeps my butt warm! Accumulator is right in saying that while these type of lights do work well, you dont really see all the defects. I am going to get a brinkman this weekend to help out with that!



This light can be found at Meijer for around $30 and seems a little bit better built than some of the others in this price range... notice how the lights detach and are on their own stand.

I HATE THAT ONE!!



Ugh, its so flimsy, and everything falls apart/won't stay put for long.



I found another one for about $15 more at Home Depot, same color, but WAAAAAAAAAAAY better.



My advice: Go with the highest-quality cheapie from HD or Lowes, and you'll be happy... Second or third cheapest is usually the best for the price



Or a good one on sale!!!!!!!

 

[Accumulator]

Hey Accumulator, where did you pick up those incandescents?

I got mine at Lowe's, in the electrical dept. They have a number of incandescent work/trouble lights, make sure you get the high-wattage-rated ones if you want to use those bulbs. Bill D.'s Lowe's didn't have them for the longest time so maybe all the stores in their chain don't stock them.



Others have said they get OK marring-spotting with lower-wattage ones so maybe the high wattage isn't absolutely necessary. I *will* say that the ceiling-mounted 60 watt bare bulbs in my one garage show off *every* flaw just fine. It seems to be all about having a single point of light in an otherwise dark area and looking at the paint from just the right distance and angle. Gotta focus on the surface of the paint too, not the reflections in it.

 

[imported_CDTGaticaW201]

Thanks Accumulator...would you happen to have any pics of you lights or did you just get a high-wattage incandescent bulb for one of those old-school shield lights? I tried searching Lowe's but all I found were bulbs and under-cabinet wands.

 

[Accumulator]

Thanks Accumulator...would you happen to have any pics of you lights or did you just get a high-wattage incandescent bulb for one of those old-school shield lights? I tried searching Lowe's but all I found were bulbs and under-cabinet wands.

Nah, no pics (I frequently get flamed for not being digital-imaging-capable ) and I don't even have a link to anybody who has them.



The lights in question are like the ones you're thinking of, but have a different bulb base (and probably thicker wiring) to handle the additional wattage. I dunno if I'd just screw in a higher-watt bulf (visions of your Benzes going up in flames).



You might do OK with the lower watt version and I wonder if taking off the refelective shield might help. The problem would be that without the shield the light would affect your eyes to where you might not see the marring as well. If you could have somebody else hold the light (as you instruct them how to position it) while you look at the car it oughta work fine (big hassle though, huh?). Trying to do it with just one person is a hassle too (voice of experience) but, well, hassles that don't involve other people can sometimes be more easily managed



But as I said in the other post ("what to use on silver"), I'd be careful polishing your SL as the clear on those is mighty thin. Better imperfect paint than a need for a repaint IMO. So maybe spotting every little flaw on that one isn't something you oughta worry about anyhow. But there's always the other cars....