Replies

1. 
   UncleDunc | Dec 31, 2004 09:37am | #1

   It's hard to beat plain white paint for reflectivity. IIRC, aluminum paint doesn't even come close. High gloss is easier to clean, if you anticipate having to brush off smoke and dust occasionally.

2. 
   JackLindsey | Dec 31, 2004 11:22am | #2

   You should use a flat white paint. It will provide better diffusion from the indirect lighting and thus a better performing lighting system.

1. 
   Manchild | Dec 31, 2004 05:17pm | #3

   So just good old flat white latex, hugh. It's the cheapest and why spend money where you don't need to.

3. 
   Peter36 | Dec 31, 2004 06:01pm | #4

   Why are you going to light the ceiling?

1. 
   Manchild | Dec 31, 2004 06:36pm | #5

   First off I'm no expert. Your question sounds like a set up. From what I've heard using florescents alone gives you light in one color. So a cheap way to balance it out was to direct a few quartz/halogens up to fill the ceiling. Bouncing light off the ceiling gives you light that is very even (no shadows).

1. 
   lwj2 | Dec 31, 2004 07:01pm | #6

   If you're willing to spend the bucks, you can get colour-corrected fluorescent tubes.Not knowing how high your shop ceilings are, I'll make the suggestion that you try using two-tube fixtures hung so the light bounces off the ceiling and compact fluorescents directly over your work areas. This won't give colour correct lighting, but you need corrected lighting only in the area you're finishing in.That said, I'd also paint the ceiling and walls with a scrubbable (sp?) grade of semi-gloss latex. Good luck, have a good one,Leon Jester

2. 
   Peter36 | Dec 31, 2004 08:31pm | #8

   No setup. I was merely wondering why. The thought of color correctness never crossed my mind, and I was guessing that bouncing the light off the ceiling had some merrit but didn't know what. But I am interested now, I only have regular flourecents and no halogens.

1. 
   WayneL5 | Jan 02, 2005 12:25am | #9

   Regular cool white fluorescent lamps have poor color rendering, as indicated by their low Color Rendering Index (CRI) in the 60s.  Warm white are even poorer, in the 50s.  You can get good color rendering with fluorescents if you install lamps made for that.  GE sells lamps in their SP and SPX lines which have good color rendering.  Other manufacturers have comperable lamps.  A CRI in the 70s is good and in the 80s is about has high as you can get with fluorescents.  Try an electrical supply house and read the CRI rating of the lamps available for your fixtures.

   Halogens have very good color rendering, but are expensive to operate, of course, because they are incandescents.

1. 
   zendo | Jan 02, 2005 01:54am | #10

   Also, dont forget halogens are very hot.  I paint in peoples houses, and I can have a window opened in the winter and heat the room to 70 with 1 close to the floor 500 w, I have a set of 1500 on a stand and I cant use them in a room,  cathedral only great space.

   Id say Standard white Spec paint as well, you can get eggshell which is very close to flat when it comes to gloss, but will be a washable low tooth choice compared to the flat. (dust cant attach as easily)  If you have a big shop think of maybe renting an airless sprayer...if you dont have a sprayer.  I can paint a standard garage out in 1-1 1/2 hours per coat.

    

2. 
   TXJon | Jan 02, 2005 02:08am | #11

   I got some Phillips tubes from HD about a year ago that claim to have a CRI of 92.  As I recall, they were not outrageously expensive.

3. 
   saddletramp | Jan 02, 2005 05:57am | #12

   I agree with you all about white being the best color to paint a shop. Just a hint to help out on the $ part. I went to the local house hold hazardous waste disposal facility and asked for some white paint. Red asked me how many 5 gal buckets or 55gal drums I wanted. The only catch was I had to promise him I would use all I took. Started with 3 buckets and went back for 2more to finish. Red was glad to get rid of the stuff to some one who could use it. Best of luck to you.

4. 
   WayneL5 | Dec 31, 2004 07:36pm | #7

   White has a higher reflectance than any other paint, including aluminum paint.  Inexpensive flat white is the way to go.

5. 
   Timel | Jan 03, 2005 01:58am | #13

   Just repainted the Kitchen ceiling with ceiling white, at least that is what it was labelled . It seems way whiter (if there's such a word) than conventional whites! Try that.

   I also agree that getting daylight balanced flourescent tubes is the way to go. Just had them installed in my shop and they really make a difference.

   Tim

   Tim Lawson
   Soon-to-be furniture maker
   Port Townsend, WA
6. 
   stancalow | Jan 03, 2005 04:11am | #14

   what Timel said - every major paint company makes a paint for ceilings that is a very white white, to be reflective.  I think it has some bluer pigment, and it would be harsh if put on walls ( I tried just to see).

1. 
   Manchild | Jan 03, 2005 06:33am | #15

   I just bought 5 gallons from Wallmart. It's a semi-gloss white base. At $27 I can't go wrong. I'm just going to paint it. The lights are still up in the air. I'll call a local supplier and see what they say.