[musc]

Sounds odd, but I think detailing a light silver car may be a bigger PITA than I thought it would be. Of course its much harder to see swirls and light scratches, but that's precisely what makes it difficult! It's hard to see everything that you need to correct. I was looking at the car in the garage with multiple types of light sources and the particular panel looked fine. Even going out in the sun I didn't see any defects until I looked at an angle and there were some isolated fine scratches. Of course they aren't that noticeable, but now that I know they are there, its going to bug me until I do something to correct it!

At least with black and dark colors the defects are obvious and you can correct them and see the results pretty easily. Maybe I will get a Sun Gun or a metal halide light and see if that makes it easier to see when not in the sun.

[picus]

Metal halide will help a lot.

[Holden_Caulfield04]

It is difficult but there are a few things you can do to help. First thing is, don't overwhelm the paint with light from a halogen. Too much light will mean wash out the paint to your eyes and all you will be able to see are little metallic flakes. So, position the light about five feet away for optimal results. Second, limit other sources of light. Don't work out in the sun. If you're in your garage, close the door and work solely with your halogen. That will help out a lot.

Other things that will help...well, metal halide is an excellent lighting source. I'm curious where you learned that...?

[musc]

Originally Posted by picus

Metal halide will help a lot.

Thanks Picus! I figured the Metal halide would be way better than Haolgens or a Sun gun. My friends shop has a lot of metal halides overhead and you can definitely see every defect!

I want to try and find a portable set up like this guy has posted:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...71&postcount=1

I found this one at Northern tool for a reasonable price
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6647_200316647
but not sure how effective it would be.

The tripod version is much more expensive, >$1000 bucks. But it would probably be overkill for a 26x26' garage. It says it can light up 82,000 Sq feet! as compared to the wobble lights 110 sq ft.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...3997_200323997

[musc]

Originally Posted by Holden_Caulfield04

It is difficult but there are a few things you can do to help. First thing is, don't overwhelm the paint with light from a halogen. Too much light will mean wash out the paint to your eyes and all you will be able to see are little metallic flakes. So, position the light about five feet away for optimal results. Second, limit other sources of light. Don't work out in the sun. If you're in your garage, close the door and work solely with your halogen. That will help out a lot.

Other things that will help...well, metal halide is an excellent lighting source. I'm curious where you learned that...?

I think I do need to get it darker and just use the Halogens as the light source. I do try to keep the Halogens about 5 ft or so away and look at the paint from various angles.

Metal halide lights are generally the best imo. Pull into a gas station or someones work shop that has overhead metal halides and you will see defects that you may have missed working with just Halogens or even in the sun. First time I ever did a PC detail I thought I did a great job, even under Halogens, then I pulled into my friends workshop and realized how much stuff I missed!! I may just redo the lightening in my garage with overhead metal halides.

[madman]

Best thing to do to find swirls etc on silver is to look at the paint at night. Get into position so that a street light (not too bright) is shining on the panel.

I discovered this by accident but it is REALLY affective. My brother in laws paintwork looked perfect in bright light or daylight, at night under the street lights, it looked crap.

[SpecC]

Originally Posted by picus

Metal halide will help a lot.

best. solution. EVER.

[ScheerSpeed]

metallic paint = not being able to see swirls as good.

solution = POLARIZED glasses in the sun!

[SpecC]

Originally Posted by ScheerSpeed

metallic paint = not being able to see swirls as good.

solution = POLARIZED glasses in the sun!

polarized so you don't destroy your eyes from glare lol

[picus]

Originally Posted by musc

Thanks Picus! I figured the Metal halide would be way better than Haolgens or a Sun gun. My friends shop has a lot of metal halides overhead and you can definitely see every defect!

I want to try and find a portable set up like this guy has posted:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...71&postcount=1

I found this one at Northern tool for a reasonable price
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6647_200316647
but not sure how effective it would be.

The tripod version is much more expensive, >$1000 bucks. But it would probably be overkill for a 26x26' garage. It says it can light up 82,000 Sq feet! as compared to the wobble lights 110 sq ft.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...3997_200323997

That metal halide tripod/spotlight thing is really cool; but you're right, it probably is overkill. Have you thought about ceiling mounted lights, like in dealerships?

[Woob]

What are some Metal Hallide setups that everyone runs?

[Holden_Caulfield04]

Originally Posted by Woob

What are some Metal Hallide setups that everyone runs?

It's a very recent entry to the detailing world. Very few detailers that I know of use it. Here's the only one I am explicitly aware of at this very moment:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...t=metal+halide

[musc]

Originally Posted by Woob

What are some Metal Hallide setups that everyone runs?

I have another thread where I found some commercially available metal halide set ups for a reasonable price. Home depot has a few set ups available

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...67&postcount=1