The Slacker thread hit home for me. I haven't done much if anything on my car this year. One of the big reasons was that my garage had lousy lighting. I could work on it in the daytime with the door open but I rarely have time during the day with work and the kids sports. At night, forget about it. One 70 watt bult just doesn't cut it. I decided to finally install some lights. One huge problem was that my 914 was on jackstands. How the heck was I going to get above it. I finally found good use for those tractor mower ramps.

Running out of excuses WCR or RRC

world of difference.



I agree, lighting helps to motivate. You should ad your pic to the
"show us your garage" thread, it looks great

I'm hoping for WCR 2013. I should have it rolling by spring 2012 and running early 2013. I'll meet you in MN and we'll Gumball Rally to WCR.




Thanks. I still need to do some cleaning and get a workbench in there. Flat space is at a premium in there. If I can talk myself into selling the boat I'd have more room and maybe enough for a second teener.

Ok - What you have done is a vast improvement...
The bad news is that your only 1/2 done...
And while you have lights over the car,
the other side of the garage needs light as well -
The overall effect will be more significant than most would think!
(Ask me how I know...LOL)

Looks great. You'll never regret it.

Is your garage heated? I thought that I heard somewhere that flouescent lights don't like the cold so much. I also heard that it can get cold in Wisconsin, but that might just be a rumor.

Apparently there have been advances in fluorescent light technology.

It's not heated yet but I found these low temp fixtures at Home Depot. Supposedly these will still light up bright at -20 degrees. They weren't cheap and they use the T8 32 watt bulb. Hopefully they work as advertised.

Your right. My wife just mentioned how dark her side of the garage was compared to mine. The problem is I'm a CSOB. I could use the money for the low temp fixtures on her side to buy more parts.

Just install a tarp wall she'll forget all about it.

I would have suggested mounting the lights around the perimeter of the car to reduce shadows on the lower sides, but you have made a nice improvement.
Now get busy!

I'm getting ready to install flourescents. So far I've checked out HD and Costco. Seems like the 4' twin bulb T8 32watt units are the way to go; are the Lithonia units the best product. Hoping to not spend more that 30 per 4 foot section...

Any thoughts ....

Jim, I have those T-8's from Costco, and while an improvement over the older ones (T6??) they have a better one at Costco. The LED model. No temp problems, great light and they come on instantly. ~$28 IIRC. Kent

LEDs weren't available then. If I had to do it today I'd go with them, especially at $28. I paid around $40 for the T8 fixtures when they first came out. I will say I still like them and I haven't had to change a bulb yet. They do work as advertised and fire right up in winter.

I looked at the lights on display at HD, LEDs looked better, but cost quite a bit more.
Are all T8 bulbs the same wattage ? I seen some at 20 and 32 water; interchangeable ?

I just replaced all the flourescent shop lights in my garage with the LED shop lights that Lowes had on sale for $34 two weeks ago. The fluorescent lights did not work well in the cold and were always burning out.

The new LED light are simply amazing giving out much better lighting. I highly recommend them to anyone!

Jeff B

What size type, or model number ? I'll stop by tomorrow

I got a bunch of the Costco LED tube lights. They're nice and bright. They don't come with a chain pull switch. If you're putting up a bank of 'em that doesn't matter.

Thanks. I went back and looked at them a second time; did they come with the bulbs ?

YES

I believe it was: Utilitech Pro Strip Shop Light (Common: 4-ft; Actual: 6.5-in x 48-in)
Item #: 595731 | Model #: MXL2006-LED2X24K840

Jeff B

Just wanted to ad that the bright, white light the emit is fantastic for "Old Eyes".

Cosco has/had the LED on sale for 25$ Replaced my fluorescents with them WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Makes it even more enjoyable working in the garage