Auto Detailing Work Lights and Vision Health

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SwedishRider

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I have a bit of an odd question, but I think an important one that I'd like to know what the answer is from the collective wisdom of the forum. I am a hobbyist detailer thinking of getting more serious with the vehicles I detail (and possibly doing this as a side income). I've been researching auto detailing lighting (because the current lighting in my garage isn't remotely good for serious detailing), and everywhere I've researched, LED lighting in the 5000K (daylight) range is consistently recommended for serious paint correction for its ability to show surface flaws that need correcting.

With this in mind, I was almost ready to buy an LED 5000K high-lumen light on a tripod for correction work, but just before I bought it, my thoughts turned to some conversations I've had with my vision care doctor over the last years. My doctor has repeatedly said that there is growing evidence that long-term exposure to "blue light" (including artificial light) can cause damage to the retina, including macular degeneration (possibly resulting in blindness). The recommendation is to limit exposure and always wear sunglasses and preferably a hat when outdoors. Obviously this won't happen to everyone, but it can be a very serious issue, particularly for those who have family genes with a history of macular degeneration. I really enjoy this hobby, but not ever at the expense of my vision.

So I guess my questions are: what (if anything) have any of you done to deal with the effects of harsh auto detail lighting to protect the health of your eyes? Do any of you have any glasses with lenses that help filter out the harmful light? Or do you follow any procedures to limit exposure but still get excellent results? I appreciate your thoughts and feedback. Thanks!
 
As a quick follow-up post, let me say that my research online points to my doctor's position on damage from blue light to be correct. And there are so many artificial sources of it in modern society (computers, smartphones, iPads, etc), that it's hard to get away from it.

I know optical outlets like Lenscrafters make glasses with lenses that filter light in the blue spectrum, but I have never tried them, and I don't know if they would even make a difference if working with a 5000K floodlight pointed at the paint of a car while correcting.
 
Although I played a Doctor
on TV (Cardiologist)...I would
never take your vision-care
Doctor's assessments lightly.


:idea: I'll suggest:
1.) Use a "swirl-finder" light
source having less luminosity;
2.) Ask your vision care Doctor
watt lighting-source he would
recommend for this particular
type of detailing task.


•Also:
Good to know you care enough to
want to take care of your eyesight.



Bob
 
FUNX650 said:
:idea: I'll suggest:
1.) Use a "swirl-finder" light
source having less luminosity;
2.) Ask your vision care Doctor
watt lighting-source he would
recommend for this particular
type of detailing task.


•Also:
Good to know you care enough to
want to take care of your eyesight.



Bob
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions. My routine vision appointment is coming up soon, so yes, I will be asking him some questions about how to proceed before I make any changes to my garage. I have thought about buying a hand held swirl finder, which would direct light onto the paint and not into my eyes like a tripod-based lighting source would do. It would probably not be as convenient as the constant light source, but I would think much safer and still effective. Thanks again! :thankyousign:

EDIT: By the way, did you really play a doctor on TV? Or are you just kidding? If it's true, can you say what show or commercial you were on?
 
Bob is just kidding about playing a doctor on TV.

He does however, perform a superb magic show on the radio............
 
SwedishRider said:
With this in mind, I was almost ready to buy an LED 5000K high-lumen light on a tripod for correction work, but just before I bought it, my thoughts turned to some conversations I've had with my vision care doctor over the last years. My doctor has repeatedly said that there is growing evidence that long-term exposure to "blue light" (including artificial light) can cause damage to the retina, including macular degeneration (possibly resulting in blindness). The recommendation is to limit exposure and always wear sunglasses and preferably a hat when outdoors. Obviously this won't happen to everyone, but it can be a very serious issue, particularly for those who have family genes with a history of macular degeneration. I really enjoy this hobby, but not ever at the expense of my vision.
Click to expand...

I work in the optical field and can tell you the danger is a major concern and the market has responded with plenty of options. I do highly recommend protective eyewear including one of the blue blocking or reflective technology lenses available. Many if not most offer it. BlueTech is the only full integrated absorptive technology but it will transform the appearance of a clear lens to a yellow'ish hue much like a shooting lens. It is the most effective as the lens absorbs blue light at nearly 100% vs reflecting it at a rate of 25% or so which is what most of the others do. The reflective technology tends to cause a violet or blue hue to the appearance.

Feel free to PM me for more information.
 
What if you get something in the 4300k range? May show a a bit less swirls, but maintain your eyesight
 
SwedishRider said:
By the way,
did you really play a doctor on TV?
Or are you just kidding?

If it's true, can you say what show
or commercial you were on?
Click to expand...
Here I can be seen where I'm playing
the role of a concerned Cardiologist,
trying my best, in advising "The Rock":



PaulMys said:
Bob is just kidding about
playing a doctor on TV.


He does however, perform a superb
magic show on the radio............
Click to expand...
Okay, I confess:
I was kidding about all
of the Doctor-stuff.



Bob
 
My recommendation is to find a good head band inspection light. I have a really bright 400 lumen LED one with variable focus and it works great for finding imperfections.
 
I think a pair of aviator BluBlocker sunglasses from the 80's are only about $3 on ebay.
 
Is the problem the color of the light or the UV?

Thanks
 
RSW said:
Is the problem the color of the light or the UV?
Click to expand...
It's the wavelength. Harmful Blue Light is between 415-455 nm on the light spectrum and is believed most toxic to retinal cells.
 
pdqgp said:
It's the wavelength. Harmful Blue Light is between 415-455 nm on the light spectrum and is believed most toxic to retinal cells.
Click to expand...

Thanks to all for your feedback! My understanding is the same, that retina damage is done in that part of the spectrum, which is why 5000K-6500K lighting (which mimics daylight) is potentially so damaging to the eyes, particularly for those prone to macular degeneration. From my research, some doctors apparently feel anything over 3000K, particularly in florescent and CFL lighting, has very high amounts of UV radiation.

My garage currently has 100w halogen bulbs that put off a color temperature of 2700K, which looks pretty yellow and is not ideal for paint corrections. I've tried 5000K LED bulbs as an experiment, and while it helps to brighten the garage and show paint defects, you almost need to squint to work in there. Before that experiment, I was considering the Griot's Garage LED garage lights that screw into traditional light bulb sockets and have multidirectional 5000K LED lighting. Those lights look really nice, but I think they would be way too harsh and possibly cause vision damage in the long run. I went back to the halogen bulbs until considering the tripod LED lighting now.

I like the suggestion of the head-mounted LED light, or possibly the use of a swirl finder pen like what Flex and Scangrip make. That would keep the light out of my eyes for the most part, and not subject them to the harsh daylight color temperatures. Maybe that's not as good as full garage lighting for my car's finish, but better for my retina's health.
 
SwedishRider said:
I like the suggestion of the head-mounted LED light, or possibly the use of a swirl finder pen like what Flex and Scangrip make. That would keep the light out of my eyes for the most part, and not subject them to the harsh daylight color temperatures. Maybe that's not as good as full garage lighting for my car's finish, but better for my retina's health.
Click to expand...

I have found that the head mounted works great. Sure, standing halogens or LED's work great and allow you to stand back and get some great pics, but overall, I use them sparingly. My stand up units are dual 500W halogen's so the only time I find them useful is in winter, but even there, I have a heated garage. Honestly, once I do a test panel and inspect, I find that's all I really need. I hit the panels with that process and then give each one a final inpect with my headlight just to make sure it's good but overall I don't find a need for a full time light stand.
 
Out of curiosity, what is your lighting in your garage? Not detailing light, but general lighting for your garage for everyday use?
 
SwedishRider said:
Out of curiosity, what is your lighting in your garage? Not detailing light, but general lighting for your garage for everyday use?
Click to expand...

I have four pairs of High Output T5 Flourencents that put out upwards of 39,000 lumens then the center is filled by two 800 lumen LED's from my door opener. It's all more than bright enough too. Neighbors always comments on how bright it is and I have still yet to paint the ceiling and walls too.

Not the best pic but it shows two of the lights and door opener. There's two more lights towards the front of the garage too.

original.jpg
 
I have been asked for a pic/model of my light so here it is. Purchased at Lowe's several months back. Runs on 3 AAA Batteries. Mine has paint on it as I use it for lots of work around the house including painting.

original.jpg
 
I just thought about the safety of detailing yesterday as I'm getting more and more involved. I'm just a weekend hobbyist. I didn't think about vision because my garage has low light and I've been using my free LED flashlight that works to find swirls. After I'm satisfied i'll look at it in the sunlight.
My answer to your specific problem is No, i haven't looked into specifically Auto Detailing lighting. However, what does relate is; I have a desk job. I stare at the computer 8hrs a day. My optometrist did mention I have more veins in my eyeballs than normal. It may be due to fatigue or aging or many things. He told me to massage my eyes in warm water or warm compression once in awhile or breaks throughout the day. So maybe that can help?
I don't mean to be off topic, but what I did think about is the chemicals we're breathing while we're polishing or even spraying the cermic or glass paint coatings if we were to do this on a daily basis. I don't think anyone really wears masks.
 
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