Good portable light for viewing minor swirls/defects?

[ToneCapone]

Just wondering what lights you guys use to see light swirls and minor defects?

I've been using a 500W halogen flood light like this one, but it does not work very well for spotting the small imperfections in the paint:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=30858


Any suggestions? I'm looking for something smaller and more portable too, if possible. Thanks.

[FMINUS]

I use a 3M sun gun and a brinkman light. The 3M is amazing!

[paul e]

Just wondering what lights you guys use to see light swirls and minor defects?

I've been using a 500W halogen flood light like this one, but it does not work very well for spotting the small imperfections in the paint:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=30858


Any suggestions? I'm looking for something smaller and more portable too, if possible. Thanks.

Thats exactly the one I use, and I find it very good, although it would be better on a stand.. STill, Im able to position it near whatever panel Im doing, and its never failed to show me the damage.. I use it mostly for clear coat level scratches which the sun hides, but this brings it right out. Yet, there are other types of swirls which the sun shows, but this doesnt... bottom line is, there is not one single light which will show all the varieties of clearcoat layer damage.. Have to combine them.

BTW, that friekin 3m Sun Gun is over 300 bucks! Not exactly appropriate for the at home, DIYer or hobbyest. Also , Brinkman makes alot of lights.. Can you be a little more specific?

[FMINUS]

Thats exactly the one I use, and I find it very good, although it would be better on a stand.. STill, Im able to position it near whatever panel Im doing, and its never failed to show me the damage.. I use it mostly for clear coat level scratches which the sun hides, but this brings it right out. Yet, there are other types of swirls which the sun shows, but this doesnt... bottom line is, there is not one single light which will show all the varieties of clearcoat layer damage.. Have to combine them.

BTW, that friekin 3m Sun Gun is over 300 bucks! Not exactly appropriate for the at home, DIYer or hobbyest. Also , Brinkman makes alot of lights.. Can you be a little more specific?

I am a hobbiest!!!! I LOVE THE SUN GUN!!! Thats the best one by far.

I got the brinkman from Tuesday mornings closeout. Its around $15

[SHWELL]

IS there a link to this Sun Gun.... I also use the 500W that was posted and it seems to work fine, but I am always open to new inexpensive gadget to add to my collection..

[1984 JPS]

Twin 500W halogens - Got em on special for like $20-$30 from the hardware store.

Andy.

[TOGWT]

Inspection Lighting- to inspect the paint finish for surface marring - Sunlight, Xenon, 500W halogen, or a high pressure sodium-vapour (parking lot lights)

a) Brinkmann REI - most LED’s merely glow, but Rebel's highly efficient, finely focused lens casts a 40-ft. beam of far-reaching light. Fish-eye-shaped lens focuses the light from the single white LED bulb into a bright, consistent beam; no dark spot in the beam's centre, the LED bulb is nearly indestructible and draws very little power, greatly extending battery life; runs on two AA batteries, included, a tough ABS plastic is armoured with thick, no-slip rubber grips Push-button on/off switch inset in the back cap
REI -http://www.rei.com/product/47576705.htm (http://www.rei.com/product/47576705.htm)

b)The 3M Sun Gun™ Colour Matching Light can be used throughout the refinish process, the percentage of light vs. natural day light is CRI (Colour Rendering Index) = 99.35%: identify paint defects such as swirl marks, burn through, sand scratches, etc., which will reduce the chance of costly re-work-
TCP Global - http://www.tcpglobal.com/3m/3msungun.aspx (http://www.tcpglobal.com/3m/3msungun.aspx)
Autobarn - http://www.autobarn.net/bkm800-2200.html (http://www.autobarn.net/bkm800-2200.html)

c) Sun Gun Video (http://www.egroupnet.com/3m/pps/sungunpromo/) US - http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/movies/ppsgun_dsl.wmv

d) Spares -3M™ PPS™ SUN GUN™ Colour Corrective Bulb (PN 16399) NiCad Battery Pack (PN 16398)
US - http://www.egroupnet.com/3m/pps/sungunpromo/ (http://www.egroupnet.com/3m/pps/sungunpromo/)
UK (P/N may be different) - http://www.consumablesexpress.co.uk/acatalog/PPS_SYSTEM.html


Schwell - the Sun Gun is by no means an inexpensive gaget

[ToneCapone]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

The 3M sun gun is great but I'm not looking to spend that much. I may give one of those LED Brinkmann units a try.

What about small flourecent lights? When I use the 500W halogen to fix defects, I can always find more after the first trip to the gas station at night under their flourecent lights.

[accordfreak]

sun gun works great for me too.. can spot out all the imperfections.