For swirls and light scratches, what type of light to use?

[artisto]

I went to one of the Meguiar classes and Michael used a special light to show the swirls and light scratches in the paint. I think it was a halogen light. He also said where to get one. Of course I didn't write down what he said so I forgot. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.

[Marc08EX]

Re: For swirls and light scratches, what type of light to use?

Meguiar's HQ has both the Brinkmann Double Xenon Light and the 3M sun gun.

The links show you where you can get them.

I also use the 500W halogen lights you can pick up at any hardware store.

[artisto]

Re: For swirls and light scratches, what type of light to use?

Thank you sir.

[Marc08EX]

Re: For swirls and light scratches, what type of light to use?

My pleasure.

[davey g-force]

Re: For swirls and light scratches, what type of light to use?

Agree with Marc.

While the Brinkmann / Sun Gun are excellent hand-held sources of light, it's important to vary your light sources if you really want to catch all those pesky swirls!

I use a combination of a Brinkmann, 500w halogens, 5 foot flouros and (best of all) the sun.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: For swirls and light scratches, what type of light to use?

The 3M Sun Gun is a fantastic light, though quite pricey at around $350+, but it's really designed for body shops to make sure the paint they're spraying is a color match to the original paint. Different pigments will shift apparent color under different types of light, so something that matches under one type of artificial light may suddenly appear quite different under natural light. That's not really critical when buffing paint because you're not trying to match color with new paint, you're just trying to remove defects.

The Brinkmann Dual Xenon, available through several online detailing supply shops, is only about $30, and perfect for detailing to spot check as you go. This is what we now use almost exclusively in our training garage these days. There are other lights on the market that can do the job, but you need to be careful that you don't pick up something too powerful. We've seen some small, high powered LED lights that will blind you if you shine them on the paint and try to see defects. All you see is an overpowering light that blows out the swirls so you can't see them anyway, and that just negates what you're trying to do with the light in the first place.

[s word]

Re: For swirls and light scratches, what type of light to use?

Mike/Marc/OP- you just reminded me of something I wanted to ask on here. I have a Brinkmann, but the color of my paint (and shininess ) makes it near impossible to see any swirls, I just get blinded. I actually found out this weekend when working on my car that the Aux light on my garage door opener (behind that opaque plastic) is my best source of light for swirl visibility. My garage has about 8 recessed lights but none of these show swirls well. I just need them for general working light. If I were to buy stationary working lights like Marc's setup is there anything recommended. Is low power better? Halogen, LED, metal halide...? It seems that my garage door opener light with the opaque cover is the best because of the lower power filtered light. Or are you going to tell me lights are like wax? To each their own.

[Marc08EX]

Re: For swirls and light scratches, what type of light to use?

I use both the Brinkmann and the 500W halogen lights. I just noticed that it's easier to take pictures (especially on lighter colors/metallics) of the swirls when you put the light source far away from the paint and stand far away as well. The closer I am or the closer I place the light to the paint, it seems that the light flushes the swirls out.

I currently use a 500W halogen setup from Craftsman. You can just go to any hardware store and they will have 500W halogen lights. Just pick any. Home Depot, Lowe's or Sears. I got mine in sears.

Good luck Chris!

[davey g-force]

Re: For swirls and light scratches, what type of light to use?

but you need to be careful that you don't pick up something too powerful. We've seen some small, high powered LED lights that will blind you if you shine them on the paint and try to see defects. All you see is an overpowering light that blows out the swirls so you can't see them anyway, and that just negates what you're trying to do with the light in the first place.

Funny... I sometimes have the same problem with my Brinkmann. It can be "too powerful" and drown out the swirls, which I later pickup with an ordinary flouro.

Mike/Marc/OP- you just reminded me of something I wanted to ask on here. I have a Brinkmann, but the color of my paint (and shininess ) makes it near impossible to see any swirls, I just get blinded. I actually found out this weekend when working on my car that the Aux light on my garage door opener (behind that opaque plastic) is my best source of light for swirl visibility. My garage has about 8 recessed lights but none of these show swirls well. I just need them for general working light. If I were to buy stationary working lights like Marc's setup is there anything recommended. Is low power better? Halogen, LED, metal halide...? It seems that my garage door opener light with the opaque cover is the best because of the lower power filtered light. Or are you going to tell me lights are like wax? To each their own.

I know what you mean, I sometimes have the same problem. Hence why I like to inspect under various light sources.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: For swirls and light scratches, what type of light to use?

Marc's suggestion to keep the light well away from the paint, and keep your eyes up there too, is a good one. We often see people putting the light a mere inches from the paint and looking very closely at it, which more often than not just blinds you. Davey, we have a variety of overhead lighting in our training garage just for this purpose. Depending on the paint, the level of defect, etc we find a variety is needed to really see everything. Quite often, though, we still end up just pulling the car out of the garage and into the sunshine to get a really good look. Of course, the sun won't reach all areas of the paint, so a variety of lights do come in handy.

[s word]

Re: For swirls and light scratches, what type of light to use?

Great info guys, thanks. I will work with what you guys have shared and go with multiple light sources. I probably would have bought multiples of the same light, now I am thinking more like 1 led, 1 like marcs. I have a fluorescent I will bust out too. I don't have super light paint, but using the sun has never proved beneficial on my car. I can't see a thing. Has anyone been known to mess around with light filters to increase the visibility? Something was just right with the garage door opener light. I could see everything on the horizontal surfaces. I would be very interested to read about it if there is an existing writeup.