I have a couple cars that I want to repaint and rather than take them to a shop, I plan to DIY. My garage is a 2 car garage with terrible lighting. I plan to get a couple new fluorescent lights to mount on the ceiling. Any recommendations on bulbs or style of light for painting?

I am thinking of two 4-foot lights (one each side) spaced so that they will be a couple feet away from the sides of the car.

Top down view:

==== <----lights
<HONDA<
==== <----lights

Is that a good set-up?

 

that is no where near enough light. With out going of on a rant about not using a spray booth. I would say at minimum 1 8ft (sub 2, 4 footers from here on out) with-in 4 feet from the front of the garage same at the rear along with 2, 8 footers spaced evenly between them then at least 4, 4 footers one in each corner of the shop standing up vertically about 2 feet from the ground. this I would consider the bare minimum and you will still have dark spots and shadows.

 

we all gotta work with what we've got... just try to set up your lighting like this.

http://image.made-in-china.com/6f3j0...pray-booth.jpg

you might not have as many lights stretching the length of the car, but at least you'll have all lights aiming at the car.

 

Thanks for the replies. That's a lot more lighting than I thought I'd need, but I see that it makes sense. Of course I'd like to rent a spray booth, but there aren't any in my area.
The picture of the booth helps. I'll probably frame some canvas drop cloths for one of the side walls (temporary wall) and have the lower lighting on that side be portable. The other side will have wall mounted lights and a window filled with an outward blowing fan. Looks like I need another electrical line to feed the garage.

 

what ever you decide to do.... DO NOT use canvas drop cloths, they hold dust and send out lint fibers that will find their way into the freshly sprayed paint. If you need a temp wall. go buy some cheap 2x2's and frame it in then buy cheap plastic sheets, you can get them from 8x8 up to 10x30 for just a few dollars. staple that to the frame and replace them when going from primer/sealer to base to clear coats