Hard time seeing swirls

[1anonly]

I was just finished detailing my dad's dark red Ford 500 today. (detail write up coming soon) After washing it I pulled it in the garage to look at the paint. While it was outside I could see a bunch of swirls in the paint where sun hit it. Now in the garage under halogens I couldn't see one

I moved the light around and I barely seen a couple. Has anyone else had this problem? I don't know if it was the metallic in the paint or what, but I just couldn't see them. Dylan suggested that I get a Xenon light, but I don't want to do that yet. Anyone have a suggestion that would help?

[JPEGXP]

I run into this exact same problem, and I have florescent lights plus a standing halogen. It really drives me crazy, because under my garage lights I think I have fixed any and all issues.

[JPEGXP]

Can someone recommend a good xenon light for a garage?

[Fierce5]

Yeah I have the same issue, I need a way/lighting to see all the swirls and scratches without hassle

[1anonly]

John, I had nice long chat with Dylan yesterday and I brought that up. (Thanks for spending the time Dylan) After explaining my setup and equipment, we came to the conclusion that the high metallic flake in the paint and the 500W halogens don't play well together. It appears that the 500W halogens are too intense to let the scratches show up. Dylan suggested either trying bounce the light off something or try to filter it. Another suggestion was to get a 250W halogen. Or the last resort would be getting a Xenon light. Hopes this makes sense to you.

[08G8V8]

I have the same issue with my halogen lights.

 

I've got the Brinkman Xenon handheld light and it is still hard to use against my black metallic paint.

 

I might have to try some 250W bulbs......

[JPEGXP]

I was just looking at that Brinkman hand held one.

[JPEGXP]

Just came across the Cm5300, does anyone have any knowledge of this light?

[Chris@Adams]

I have several florescent lights in my garage they help a bunch.

Lighting is key, I agree get a Xenon light.

[1anonly]

I have two florescent lights in my garage, plus double 500W halogen on a stand and single 500W halogen. My garage is great to work on cars. The problem is that I was at my parents garage and they have two 60W lights. I had all my halogens with me, but I couldn't see anything with them, but I could see them when I used the 60W bulb reflections. I just don't get it. I know I have perfect vision. I might just have to get a Xenon.

[ElZoidberg]

I'm also having issues. I can see swirls in the sun but the halogens do absolutely no good in seeing the swirls in my garage. It's very confusing why I'm unable to get sufficient light in my workspace. I'm stuck, I refuse to polish while I can't see anything only to pull it out into the sun and realize I've made zero progress. Very frustrating.

[JPEGXP]

Check out the 3M sun gun, I spent all day at work looking up lights. The 3M seems to be the best thing I've come across so far. A tad on the pricey side though.

[1anonly]

I went out today and got a 150W halogen bulb. This was to replace a 500W. It did help and I can see the swirls better, but you have to look at the outer edges of where the light hits the car.

[Chris@Adams]

I went out today and got a 150W halogen bulb. This was to replace a 500W. It did help and I can see the swirls better, but you have to look at the outer edges of where the light hits the car.

Interesting!