paint correction - sunlight vs artificial light

[tjimmyv]

I noticed after doing a full paint correction on a suburban, which looked amazing and swirl free in the sunlight, seemed to still have a few light scratching and swirls that were visible in my shop with bright lights on the paint.
Any thoughts on this?


Just to add to the thought, I once had part of my vehicle repaired/ repainted when somebody backed into it. I picked it up at night after it was fixed and shined a light on it to check out the work, and I was very disappointed. I could see all the scratching from the accident. But the next morning in the sunlight it looked great.

Is there something about artificial light that shows more than sunlight? If anything I would have thought it was the other way around.

TIA

[Murr1525]

Re: paint correction - sunlight vs artificial light

Different light has different wavelengths, etc... bounces out of imperfections differently.

Sunlight and the parking lot lights always seem the worst to me.

But someone doing a higher end detail may check their work in a couple different light sources.

[davey g-force]

Re: paint correction - sunlight vs artificial light

True, different light sources are best.

I've recently learned (from a write-up by Mike Philips) that the best way to spot swirls using a Brinkmann light is to make the rest of the garage / work area as dark as possible. I tried it and sure enough, it worked. I was finally able to properly see swirls using my Brinkmann (I had not had much luck with it before that - it was almost too bright and drowning out the swirls).

Anyway, to me that also explains why gas station lights & parking lot lights at night seem to always show up swirls the most.

[C8N]

Re: paint correction - sunlight vs artificial light

I did a scratch search and destroy mission on my car this past weekend and on top of what have already been said... I have also noticed it also depends on the angle. At some angles, the scratches are not detectable. What I found best was that you have to look at it at a very slight angle. I would assume dead on would be best but its difficult since the light is reflecting right back into your eyes.

[JoshuaWells]

Re: paint correction - sunlight vs artificial light

I noticed after doing a full paint correction on a suburban, which looked amazing and swirl free in the sunlight, seemed to still have a few light scratching and swirls that were visible in my shop with bright lights on the paint.
Any thoughts on this?


Just to add to the thought, I once had part of my vehicle repaired/ repainted when somebody backed into it. I picked it up at night after it was fixed and shined a light on it to check out the work, and I was very disappointed. I could see all the scratching from the accident. But the next morning in the sunlight it looked great.

Is there something about artificial light that shows more than sunlight? If anything I would have thought it was the other way around.

TIA

It does affect. Artificial light is more preferred now days for paint correction. It is better to see minute details with artificial light

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: paint correction - sunlight vs artificial light

An IPA wipedown (One part Isopropyl Alcohol mixed with 3 parts water) following a paint correction will reveal missed swirls/scratches. I had heard this before, and MIke Stoops also explained the advantages an an IPA wipedown at the last advanced detailing class last month.

[JoshuaWells]

Re: paint correction - sunlight vs artificial light

It does affect. Artificial hid kits is more preferred now days for paint correction. It is better to see minute details with artificial light

I had gone through numerous articles on artificial lights for paint correction and all of them justifies its importance..