[Dave KG]

For those machine polishing their cars, a suitable light source for highlighting swirls and marring is key, especially for evaluating the removal and also the quality of the finish achieved.

A great many light sources exist on the market, and one of these is the 500W Halogens which are readily available from the likes of Screwfix and (where I bought mine) Lidl! They are undoubtedly very effective at highlighting swirls and marring, as this picture clearly shows:



And also, severe marring as this pic shows ()



However, I would urge caution in relying on these halogen lights when it comes to evaluating the quality of the finish achieved... The large light area, with little spread of light leaves these open to hiding light to medium holograms, as this example shows:

Finish evaluated under 500W halogen:



Looks very good. Swirl free, would pass as LSP ready... But is it? Not a chance, look at the holograms...



Another example, the deep scratches are clear to see here and there's evidence of a hazing around the light source with the Halogen:



The true quality of the finish achieved though is rather shocking...



Now, I am not saying that the halogens are a bad tool - far from it. They are great for general swirl spotting and assessing you correction level (and for keeping your polish warm in the winter), but I would certainly urge caution when using them to assess the full quality of the finish achieved.

The best light sources I have found for spotting holograms are the sun (not exactly reliable! ), and the 3M Sun Gun, using the dimmer areas away from the main spot of light. Bright light can mask hologramming, its the spread of light that picks it up most clearly IMHO... And, strangely enough, the best source of light for highlighting the true quality of a finish I have found thus far is actually a camera flash - a very bright flash of light that will pick up even the faintest hologram. Not practical for using on the job, but great for showing off the quality of your machine finish.

	LSP Last Step Product, meaning protection either wax or sealant.

[kogenx]

Thanks Dave for the info!!

[cleandean]

Great write up !!! Thanks.

I use halogens, but always pull the car into direct sunlight when possible. I am going to look for that 3M light myself.

Cheers !!!

[Dream Machines]

Dave again you have excelled
I totally agree, halogens are great but I rely on camera flash, sunlight and the sodium vapour lights in the ceiling (probably 15 of them)

Every time I have checked my finish under the sodiums and seen not one mark, when taken outside for an inspection, the result is the same

Thankyou dave for reminding us about this

[Denzil]

Hmm, I wonder how the Infratech CM5300 holds up to your case Dave. Guess I'll have to see for myself, hehe.

[matrix_808]

ya great write up, thanks for that.

[FMINUS]

I have both the SUN GUN and the CM5300. Personally I think you should have both if you can afford it. I hate making compromises.

[Nica]

Very nice write up Dave and I would have to agree with you, 3M Sun Gun is a great tool, not cheap but you get what you pay for

Thank you for the write up Dave, well done

[reefer_bob]

I too have a Sun Gun, great tool, just cause you can move it to all sorts of angles and really check every pannel closesly at different reflection angles.

One thing I reccomend on the Sun Gun is a wrist strap. I've nearly dropped mine trying to contort my wrist to a weird angle to highlight an area...

[mixxer]

Where is the cheapest place to get the sun gun?