Standing Worklights: What do you use?

[Monk]

I haven't waxed a car, or paid to have a car waxed, since I was a teenager. I have NEVER polished a car. I thought it was the same thing as waxing. Yet in the last 2-3 weeks this forum has sent me into a downward spiral of detailing obsession. I don't want to add up what I have spent.

Now I need a recommendation for a worklight. The kind on a stand. Sears has some, but they are kind of rickety, and I am probably going to return it. I'm talking minimum 1000 Watts. On a stand. Adjustable. Two head units.

[inthedetails]

First of all it is an upward spiral...

Here is a link from another thread about indoor detailing:

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8467

You can check that out.

I use a couple different kind of lights, but none are on stands. I clamp them, and move them around with me. It isn't the best setup, but it works fairly well.

Dave

[Accumulator]

I have some of the Sears Halogens (they maked different ones, these were their "best") and some really cheap generic halogens too. Talk about rickety, the generics are *really* crappy/flimsy compared with the Sears ones, yet I find I like them better! Not a huge difference at any rate, and they don't really need to be all that sturdy. My generics are, gee, I dunno *how* old, but they were old ten years ago, and they still work fine.

[F-150]

Re: Standing Worklights: What do you use?

Originally posted by Monk
I haven't waxed a car, or paid to have a car waxed, since I was a teenager. I have NEVER polished a car. I thought it was the same thing as waxing. Yet in the last 2-3 weeks this forum has sent me into a downward spiral of detailing obsession. I don't want to add up what I have spent.

Now I need a recommendation for a worklight. The kind on a stand. Sears has some, but they are kind of rickety, and I am probably going to return it. I'm talking minimum 1000 Watts. On a stand. Adjustable. Two head units.

why a minimun 1000 watts per stand? If you want brightness then it also depends on the type of lighting you're talking about. You could get 2 600 watt lights and have 1200 watts total. I've seen 1200 watt twin head halogen lights that you can get at lowes compared to a 600 watt focusing flood light and the focusing flood light was way better than the worklights. You should look into flood lights. I like what some call "white lights". They have more of a clear brighter light than regular work lights sold at sears, lowes, etc. Photo shops sell quartz halogen lights, although significantly more expensive, will give you better quality lighting and won't be yellowish when lighting up things. Smith-Victor makes some high quality lights.

[Murr1525]

You'll certainly want to do a search for different types of light.

If you just want work lights, then you can go with dual set-ups, or a flood light.

If you want to use it to check for swirls, imperfections, etc, you may need a few different ones as Accumulator mentions. Perhaps a work flood light, and a halogen or xenon light stand, etc.

Definately look into what your goals will be.

[Paulvr4]

I'm just waiting for octane guy to reply to this one - he's got a cool set up.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,


I use a dual head 1000 watt total halogen for working in the garage. I also use a 250 Watt halogen from the floor. That way I get two different angles. But I must be honest, I still need more light!

You can see the light in the left of of the picture (to the right of me). I bought it at Home Depot and really like it!



Tim

[Monk]

Hey Tim--that light looks like what I am using--but I kept the receipt. You know what shows up EVERYTHING, is the overhead lights at the gas station--scary! WHat are they, mercury vapor or something like that?

Suprised you left the black grilles on the light--mine seem to cast shadows, and its not like we are flinging stuff around!

Anyway--that is a good looking vehicle and a nice shine. But i would like to see what it looks like when Mike Phillips sneaks up on it at high noon with his digital camera.

[F-150]

Originally posted by 2hotford
Hey,


I use a dual head 1000 watt total halogen for working in the garage. I also use a 250 Watt halogen from the floor. That way I get two different angles. But I must be honest, I still need more light!

You can see the light in the left of of the picture (to the right of me). I bought it at Home Depot and really like it!



Tim

Hey guys just wait a week or 2 and I'll post a picture of how well one light can out perform any work light from home depot or lowes. You guys 'll be impressed. But they run around $200 per light/ w/ bulb and stand. And if you want a light to bring out swirls, why not just buy a hand held rechargable dual xenon light?

[Tim Lingor]

Originally posted by Monk
Hey Tim--that light looks like what I am using--but I kept the receipt. You know what shows up EVERYTHING, is the overhead lights at the gas station--scary! WHat are they, mercury vapor or something like that?

Suprised you left the black grilles on the light--mine seem to cast shadows, and its not like we are flinging stuff around!

Anyway--that is a good looking vehicle and a nice shine. But i would like to see what it looks like when Mike Phillips sneaks up on it at high noon with his digital camera.

Hmmm...high-noon huh? Does this work? Same truck in the full sun! There is nothing that hides from direct sun!





Cheers!

Tim

[Monk]

Nice Tim--Like ice. A "10" in and out of the sun.