Garage Lighting

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Flannigan

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So as some of you may know I am moving later this year into a single family home, and finally getting a 2 car garage like I have always wanted. I currently have a one car, but with my toolbox and all my other supplies, there is no way to fit a car in it and still be able to move around to work on it.

Anyway, in anticipation of the big move I have started planning out, and even purchasing some things for the new garage. As far as tool and product storage goes I'm set, and I even have a low rise scissor lift on the way to help get some of the low cars up of the ground and aid in removing wheels for some of the more in depth details.

What I have no idea about is lighting. I know I need it, but I don't know where to start. I want ceiling lighting that will not only illuminate what I am working on, but hopefully also double as lighting to help me see defects in paint while doing corrections. I've done a bit of research and there are just so many options out there I don't know what to do. I'd love to hear what people like, and their experiences with garage lighting. I'd like to keep a budget, but at the same time I'm always willing to pay for quality.

Oh and I don't know if it matters or not, but the garage is about 25ftx20ft, give or take.

Thanks in advance everyone!
 
I wish I could help you. I'd love to hear peoples comments on this as well as I surely could use more light in my 2 car garage. I currently have 3 4' flourescents and 3 60w incandescent fixtures and while the top of the car is illuminated fairly, the sides are in major need of some light, and not just the halogens that I drag around. Would love to put some fixtures on the walls. Also need to figure a way to hang one at hip level in between the cars that can swivel either way, like a 10' flourescent or halide!
 
 
why not make it paint booth style lighting? thats my plan when i get my own shop, basically wanting a wood/metal frame with lights on different angles. shouldn't be too expensive if you can get the light fixtures fairly cheap. look up paint booths and take some ideas from that and use some graph paper to sketch something up, or use google sketch up(cannot get the hang of that program)
 
Definitely a thread to subscribe to and great posts to help out! :props:
 
Thanks for all the info so far guys! I will take a look at those thread in detail when I get home tonight!
 
Dave...I was at Home Depot this past weekend looking at light fixtures. Charlie helped me out alot with some ideas with garage lighting. I saw this fixture and really liked it. I didn't purchase the stuff but will be doing so very soon:

Tandem 4-Light White Ceiling Strip Lighting Fixture-TL 2 32 120 1/4 GEB SCD at The Home Depot

It's got two stars but the person who left the review gave it that because of the instructions. Out of the fixtures that Lowes and Home Depot had I liked that one the best.

My inspiration for garage lighting came from Bills thread...the one Charlie linked.

Oh...and I believe the box said this fixture was for high output.
 
Flannigan said:
Thanks for all the info so far guys! I will take a look at those thread in detail when I get home tonight!
Click to expand...

I didn't see if this an attached/detached garage....
Probably be a good idea to find out what service amperage is available to the residence/garage (100, 200, something else?).
Your new scissors-lift---pneumatic/hydraulic---something's got to drive the lift's motor....unless it's manual op.
Are you going to have a compressor? An automatic garage opener. A fridge would be nice. A dedicated 230-240 plug would be a great asset.

After adding up the above, then subtracting that total from your service-amps, I believe you'll have a better idea of the type (including amperage) of lighting the service, that's currently available, will support. Then divide that by four fixtures.

Be extra nice if any necessary electrical upgrades, could be done before the garage becomes "overcrowded".

And...Congratulations on your new residence!!


Just a thought or two.

:)

Bob
 
Not sure if it is listed in the links provided above, but paint can also play a big roll in how "bright" a garage is. If you can (before you move everything in), paint the walls and ceilings a nice glossy white. This will help to reflect the light around the garage better and even out the lighting (just try and see how well light reflects off a glossy white wall vs. plain drywall like in my garage....). I also think glossy paints are usually easier to clean, which is why they are recommended in bathrooms, kitchens, etc.

For the floor, you could do a coating, which can be a light gray or beige with a sealer, so it will also help to reflect light back up. Only downside is those coatings are usually a little slippery when wet, so maybe not the best for detailing. Plain cement isn't bad though.

Just my opinion, but without lights on the side walls also, it may be tough to easily see vertical panels. I might check out the links provided for my own benefit. I do some lighting for work (design street lighting),so have some knowledge and a computer program at work to figure out lighting levels, and can use the program for interior lighting as well. I'll assist in any way I can if you need something. The garage forum is also a great resource (been a member for abut 6 years I think).

One thing to consider - skip Home Depot and go to a specialty lighting store. The fixtures may be a little pricier, but many times they will take your space and perform the lighting computations (photometrics) to make sure you are getting the right type and amount of lighting for your specific application. Can't get that at Home Depot....

-Neil
 
You want lights that simulate the light range that daylight puts out which is around 6500K. If you can get those in a high wattage or florescent that would be great.

I run 650W CFL bulbs which put out a ton of light. They are close to daylight running @5000K. They do have a larger socket than most but I use an adapter to fit in a standard socket. I have one in a two garage and the light is fantastic. Two of them would be more than plenty light and the correct light range (over 5000k) really when detailing.

SKO150EA50 - 650 Watt Incandescent Equivalent, 150 Watt, 120 Volt Bright White CFL Bulb | Bulbs.com

Have a lighting person checkout the shop and give suggestions. Whatever you decide - get a bulb that simulates daylight or close to 5000K or preferably 6500K. (color temperature)
 
just and fyi flat white reflects better then glossy white, dont know why but a lumen meter shows flat has better reflective ability
 
opie_7afe said:
just and fyi flat white reflects better then glossy white, dont know why but a lumen meter shows flat has better reflective ability
Click to expand...

really? I always thought that the gloss gave the paint better reflectance? Might have to test that out. Think my work got a lumen meter, not sure if I can borrow it though...

In either case, the white paint will reflect better than unpainted drywall, agreed?

-Neil
 
Well, I used to work for a commercial lighting manufacturer so I bought my fixtures while I worked there. My best suggestion is to make sure your fixtures have excellent reflectors. Plain old strip lights will send the light all around the room and not where you want it. Make sure you get a highly polished reflector or a white reflector. That being said - I have a 3 car garage and I have six fixtures with six lamps in each. These fixtures are meant to replace HID fixtures that you see in Lowes or HD. They hhhhhave tremendous capabilities. I do not have any drop off in my garage. If you select the correct ballast you can vary the number of lamps that come on when you flip the switch as you might not need all 6 every time.
 
What about painting the walls BLACK? I always notice that i can see defects much easier with a black background. I have also seen a few detailers that use a divider with a black cloth on it pulled tight. Kind of like a moveable metal tube framed wall with black fabric.

Like a poster said above, it might be worthwhile to see if you can get a subpanel put into the garage for the electric. Especially if you want to add any sort of heat. I have a 240v heater in my garage and it pulls 30 amps all by itself.
 
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