Detailing Lighting Explained: Why Proper Lighting is Critical to Quality Paint Polishing 

Lighting for detailing paint correction is a critical procedure that immediately influences: the level of refinement, labor, and cost of work performed. Without proper lighting, auto detailers cannot accurately evaluate the characteristics and condition of painted panels for estimates and to achieve the highest and most efficient results during any vehicle paint correction process.

While lighting for paint correction is critical to quality results, it is a casually discussed topic in the auto detailing industry. However, its importance is second to none since it is crucial to every step of paint polishing and other surface refinement and finishing processes.

Discussions found online usually contain a few questions about some aspects of light and lighting. However, most discourses tend to lack the relevant and necessary information to adequately explore and answer the original topics.

At some point, a large majority of detailers will have a need to supplement or upgrade the lighting in their shops or garages. Mobile detailers will also need to upgrade, requiring lighting that is efficient, sufficient, and portable.

The need for additional lighting usually presents itself on the fly. Consequently, many detailers rush to make quick purchases, later to find out these lights only really offer more light, not the type of light they truly needed. The money impulsively spent on fixtures only providing “more light” is better applied to a lighting system that accurately represents a paint’s true state. 

The purposes of this article on lighting for detailing paint correction are as follows:

1. To explain the basic concepts behind the science of how light works.

2. To introduce and discuss the factors of light which are most relevant to lighting for paint correction.

3. To enlighten the reader about certain temperatures of light best suited to optimally reveal paint color and defects.

This article will remain as factually relevant to lighting for auto detailing paint correction processes as possible. That being said, basic knowledge of the science of optics (the study of light) lighting systems (light bulbs etc.) are necessary for proper analysis. This information will reveal how optimal lighting directly leads to true analysis of automotive surface conditions.

To truly understand lighting for detailing paint correction, a basic grasp on some scientific terminology of optics is necessary. Don’t worry- we’re talking basic here!

Light is a critical component of current civilization. From computer chips, to fiber optics, to advanced OLED/AMOLED/LCD screens in your pocket light runs modern society.

Light and lighting is a huge topic, therefore the information in this article was paired down to keep things as simple and relevant as possible. That being said, if the definitions offered in this article are unclear or insufficient, please take a moment to track down descriptions that enable a better understanding of lighting terminology. This is hopefully the first step in opening the discussion up further within the detailing community.

Light is the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that is detectable by the human eye. The best example is the earth’s most abundant light source: sunlight.

Definition of the visible spectrum: A very small portion of the atmosphere’s light contain wavelengths visible to the human eye. The groups of violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red compose the visible spectrum. These are the only types of wavelengths detectable by the human eye.

Definition of electromagnetic radiation: Energy, light, and heat are all forms of electromagnetic radiation. The term “radiation” is not necessarily a cause for alarm because not all radiation is harmful.

The visible spectrum of light is continuous. Therefore, each wavelength (color) is not FULLY defined since each wavelength flows into the next.

The chart numbers below display the most accurate scientific approximation of wavelengths associated with each perceived color in the visible spectrum of light.

Every color within the visible spectrum of light operates on a specific wavelength measured in nanometers. The specific bands of color groupings composing the visible spectrum of light are called the spectral colors (Listed below).

Definition of a light wavelength: Light behaves like a wave. The wavelength of light determines its color. The frequency that light waves move up and down within one second of time is expressed in Hertz (cycles per second).

Definition of a nanometer: 1/1,000,000,000 meter, or one-billionth of a meter.

The Spectral Colors which make up the Visible Spectrum of Light:

Most people don’t realize that they are quite familiar with the spectral colors. These are the majority of colors that make up a rainbow. Rainbows additionally contain indigo; a color contained within the visible spectrum, but lacking its own category.

** IMPORTANT Note ** White Light combines of all spectral colors composing the visible spectrum. This is relevant because white light is composed of ALL wavelengths (colors) of light. Sir Isaac Newton first hypothesized and verified this theory by holding prism toward the sun at high noon. The prism filtered the sun’s single white rays of light into each individual spectral wavelength (Violet, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red), projecting them them as individual colored beams.

Light’s basic measurable qualities require a proper definition in order to discuss the use of light for illumination. These terms are critical for discussing lighting for paint correction.

Lumen 

The amount of visible light emitted from a singular source. One lumen is roughly equivalent to the amount of light generated by a single candle. Basically, Lumens measure the relative intensity (brightness level) of light from a source.

Color Temperature

The perceived color of a light source is measured utilizing the Kelvin scale. These include a broad spectrum of colors ranging from deep red, to orange, to yellow, to white, to bright blue. Color values lower in Kelvin temperatures are considered “warm”, containing orange to red light. Colors values higher in color temperature are considered “cool”, containing more blue light.

Kelvin Scale

The Kelvin scale (K) is an extension of the Celsius scale. It measures the color of light as emitted from a hypothetical black body (think cast iron stove) when heated to different temperatures. At lower temperatures, it glows red, then orange, then yellow. As the temperature increases, the metal appears white, then blue. The Kelvin scale quantifies the amount of energy needed to transform that black body to each color, assigning numerical values in K.

Daylight

The standard which people consider “normal daylight” is mid-day, when the sun is at its peak in the sky. This light has a temperature of ~5578K, which is slightly on the cool range.

“Normal Daylight” is important to note since the color temperature of the sun changes drastically throughout the day. Light at dawn has a lower color temperature value of ~2000K° (very warm –orange/red). Daylight wavelength values quickly increase as the sun ascends in the sky.

Mid-day sun has a fairly constant wavelength of~5600K (white/ slightly bluish).

Two hours before dusk, light slowly wanes, and color temperature values descend back into warmer color temperatures.

Now, don’t worry, all of that technical mumbo jumbo is out of the way!

You may be asking yourself, “How is all this tech talk important or relevant to lighting for detailing paint correction???”

Understanding the science behind lighting technologies aids in paint polishing, “But WHY?” readers may be wondering.

Because, Choosing the Correct Color temperature is VITAL to lighting for detailing paint correction in order to:

1] Accurately Display the True Color Value of a surface.

2] Optimally Represent the Accurate Condition of a surface. Which leads to proper evaluation.

These two variables of lighting aren’t ALWAYS exclusively linked. However, when discussing light color temperatures of ~4500K or below they influence one another. Color temperatures in this range provide poor intensity since they are not close to “pure white,” causing them to cast warm tones onto a surface.

Therefore, if a light source casts a tinge of color onto a painted surface; then the true color value, and often the true condition of many paint defects, are inaccurately interpreted and evaluated.

Warm tones of light are much more forgiving (flattering) of a surface’s true properties. Meaning they do not reveal an object’s every flaw. Incandescent lighting, ~2700K-3300K, is commonplace in U.S. households as ambient (background) lighting for this reason. It is a perfect light to accent skin tones, adding warmth (red tones) which promotes a healthier looking individual.

However, flattering is not a desirable trait detailers want from a surface when lighting for detailing paint correction. Instead, they want that “High Definition–reveal everything look.” This light strikes fear into actresses with freckles, pimples, or age when they appear on modern late night talk shows. Lighting for paint correction at color temperatures between 5000K-6500K reveals everything.

Defining Light’s True Color Value for This Article 

*** NOTE: ‘True color value’ is relatively subjective to the source of available of light. Therefore, for the purposes of standardization, this article will use sunlight as the best representation of ‘true color value.’

(~5500K) = The average color temperate of the sun’s rays at high noon and for the longest portion of the day. Therefore, ~5500K will act as the standard that displays paint’s optimal characteristics of color and condition.

The sun is the world’s primary light source, illuminating the majority of automobiles on earth during any 24hr time period. Furthermore, this article defines ‘daylight’ as the direct rays of the sun seen in the midday sky. Overcast skies have completely different color temperatures and light pattern characteristics due to the diffusion of the sun’s rays.

To illustrate how important color temperature is to lighting for paint correction; imagine a white vehicle in for full correction.

If a vehicle is lit up by red bulbs from a photography dark room, what is the immediate result of this lighting?

Every surface of the vehicle would possesses some shade of red to it. Even the black tires and cowling will display a significant red hue. Additionally, red lights fail to adequately illuminate surfaces of the vehicle to truly represent their color properties. No matter how intense [bright] the red light becomes, it can never accurately depict the surface of the white vehicle, since the ~1500K wavelength casts red over everything.

So why is this relevant? Because, if the human eye is unable to detect the true state (color, defects, gloss, definition of reflection) of the white painted vehicle BEFORE correction, using a light that casts a color onto a surface, then how would it be possible to identify the true color [and condition] of CORRECTED paint using the same light?

It couldn’t.

If red colored bulbs are the primary correction light source, then it is nearly impossible to accurately know the actual state of correction at any given moment. However, detailers regularly used lights which inaccurately depict paint conditions for over 30 years!!!

Different Lighting Color Temperatures Drastically Alter the Appearance of Colors & Surfaces

To illustrate how the temperature of a light source affects the illumination of a subject, examine the pictures below. Both photos originated in a pitch black room.

This writing sample is written on a blank 8½” x 11″ sheet of plain white paper. The same led light source illuminates both photos. The reason the photos appear different is due to the wavelength (color) of the individual bulbs used to light each photo.

The paper illuminated with the VIOLET LED light, at about 12000°K, masks the true color nature of the paper and the ink. The violet light taints the color perception of everything it illuminates, making it near impossible to discern the true color nature of the paper and ink.

The sample in the second picture utilizes a WHITE LED light, at ~5000°K. Note the major optic differences between the photos! In the second picture, the paper appears its genuine white color and the ink depicts its true red color. This is because white light utilizes all of the wavelengths within the visible spectrum to illuminate a subject. With white light there is no “color” tinting of the object of illumination. Instead, subjects under white light reveal their true color value.

Starting to see where this is leading?

Illuminating paint with a light source deviating from “pure or neutral white” will not accurately represent the color and/or surface conditions.

Precise interpretation of a paint’s condition is never obtained if the surface color is not depicted accurately.

Using a non ‘pure white’ light source when lighting for detailing paint correction doesn’t accurately display the state of a surface during the evaluation and/or actual polishing process.

For this reason, detailers of the past were FORCED to move vehicles outside and inspect them in sunlight. The white nature of the sun’s rays provided PURE optic values; allowing the vehicle’s surfaces display their true color and defect natures.

The lower the Kelvin value of a light source, the worse the representation the optic values of a surface.

Therefore, a Halogen light at ~2700K is one of the worst sources for providing true surface color and condition values due to its low intensity and orange tinting.

A bit better are standard CFL’s (compact fluorescent lights) ranging from about ~2700-4200K, which can have varied color tinting.

LED (light-emitting diode) lighting ~5000K-6500K is near optimal for exposing true color and defect values on vehicle surfaces.

If readers are lost regarding how lighting with a ‘pure’ white light is vital when lighting for paint correction, then please refer back to the example of illuminating a white car with the red bulbs from a photography dark room. [see the ‘Why Proper Lighting for Detailing Paint Correction is Critical to Quality Results’ header above]

Would it ever be possible to truly evaluate and an accurately estimate a paint correction job if using red photography darkroom lighting? Why not?

Because a paint’s true color value, or surface defect representation, are nearly impossible to see if a light is drastically tinged with low intensity red light.

Imagine using a standard halogen work light to inspect the condition of a dark colored vehicle inside a dark room. Note the appearance of the vehicle’s color and the condition of the paint.

Then, move the vehicle outside and inspect it in the sunlight of high noon. Which light source will better represent the true condition and color properties of the paint; the halogen light or the sun?

The sun will win every time!

Because the mid-day sunlight is much closer to a pure white light at ~5500°K. In contrast, the halogen work light operates at ~2700°K which has an deep orange tint to it. This orange hue from the halogen light is cast over everything and masks the true appearance of all automotive surfaces.

Yes, the relative light intensity of the mid-day sunlight is MUCH higher in brightness, (luminosity reading) coming in at 100,000 lux. However, the brightness of a 1000w dual halogen work light, emitting 16,000 lumens @~2700°K, provides MORE than an ample amount of light to show all defects in a painted surface at a distance of 8 feet or less. So why does it fail in comparison to show all defects if its brightness isn’t the issue?

Halogen lights generally fail compared to the sun because the work light’s color temperature of ~2700°K casts an orange hue, tainting the all surface colors of the vehicle. This orange hue doesn’t allow the human eye to accurately identify true color values. The relative intensity of ~2700K light is low, inhibiting it from revealing the true defect nature of the surface.

The color properties, overall paint condition, and specific paint defects on a surface are mostly revealed by the intensity [brightness] of a light source. However, the further a light source deviates from pure white, the less accurate the characteristics of a surface will appear to they eye.

Additionally, halogen lights generate a tremendous amount of heat which easily transfers to vehicle surfaces. Controlling heat and paint swelling issues that result from detailing paint correction is vital to quality and efficient polishing results.

In summary, using halogen lights when lighting for detailing paint correction is horrible in every way. Instead, use LED lights and save electricty, avoid heat on panels and workplaces, and accurately view surfaces.

In a room with mixed lighting sources, meaning lights with differing color temperatures and intensities, the brightest light wins.

Therefore the intensity of paint polishing lights need to be greater than any ambient lighting.

For example, if the overhead lights 8 feet above are casting 4000 lumens of light (@ 3800K), then a 300 lumen handheld LED light (@ ~5000K) will only provide true paint illumination when held about a foot or two from the surface.

Correction lights only reveal true paint color and surface conditions if all ambient lighting values are less than the correction light.

Light at ~5000K is optimal for identifying true color value since it is closest to “pure white.” Light at ~6500K may better display surface conditions and paint defects on lighter colored vehicles. However, this will ultimately depend on the color of the base coat and that colors ability to refract light back to the eye to illuminate the clear coat on top.

Light at 6500K has a greater relative intensity, potentially revealing more defects. When comparing these two color temperatures, a 6500K light appears significantly cooler [bluish] than a 5000K light. This is because the 6500K light slightly tints the vehicles color with bluish light. For practical purposes the blue tone is not as negatively impactful as the warm tones emitted by a halogen bulb at ~2700K. Because the 6500K bulb has a much higher relative intensity, allowing it to reveal all surface defects on paint.

Optimal lighting for detailing paint correction differs from vehicle to vehicle in order to accurately reveal true colors and surface conditions.

Within the detailing industry a belief exists that in order to achieve optimal lighting on a wide variety of vehicles, two sets of bulbs are necessary. The proponents suggest purchasing one set at 5000K and another at 6500K. The 5000K bulbs best capture the paint’s true color value since it is closest to color neutral. The 6500K light may maximize the ability to better detect certain defects on lighter colored paint systems.

In isolated incidents this may be true, however it is generally unnecessary.

Overall, 5000K is the best color temperature to view the majority of automotive paint color values and defects. Instead of changing the bulbs, consider altering the overall intensity (brightness) of the light source — depending on the paint color.

In closing, remember; white light is the combination of all colors in the visible spectrum to the human eye.

This is why it naturally appears to be the ‘brightest’ and thus purest wavelength of light. For this reason, white light is best for true illumination of any object including lighting for detailing paint correction.

White light casts a continuous spectrum, projecting all visible wavelengths onto anything it illuminates. True color value and condition of surfaces are accurately depicted only when the entire visible spectrum of light is cast upon them.

This is particularly important to paint polishing because it empowers detailers to identify the true color of the paint and the accurate condition of surface defects. Accuretely identifying both of these characteristics directly leads to the highest quality and efficiency during the entire detailing process.

“ALWAYS Keep Learning to Strengthen Your Passion & Your Business.”

© Christopher Brown – OCDCarCare Los Angeles