Improving reflection of fluorescent light fixtures?

[doyle4281]

Hello all, I have begun investing some time and money into the "real" reason I bought a house, the garage. haha. Thus far I have installed the quincy compressor, air lines, and begun the fluorescent lighting installation. The fixtures I chose where the 2 bulb T8 4 ft. grey Sylvannia units that many have seen at Home Depot, however I purchased 18 of them from amazon. They are spaced about 4 ft apart and about 10ft high through the whole garage. My question to you guys is, are there any ways to improve the reflective properties the these grey fixtures. The light does not reflect very well off the grey paint, which I feel is reducing the perceived output of the fixtures. What I have tried thus far is glued mylar to the hood, however I cannot get the stuff stay flat without bubbles. However, it works amazing when it sticks. The stuff is not expensive either, came a 4ft wide roll. Does anyone know if painting the hoods white or a reflective finish works? Possible a reflective piece that can be added to the fixture, something that just screws on? Thanks again guys, this forum is great

 

[hayhauler71]

No help but interested

 

[doyle4281]

I tried applying this mylar material, it just wouldnt lay flat without bubbling. It reflects amazing!

 

[40cpe]

I can't help from personal experience, but antique car guys seem to have better luck with painting the tail light reflectors with white paint than with putting tin foil or other metallic material to help with visibility of the tail lights.

 

[coralnut]

check out speciality reflectors for saltwater reef aquarium applications. it's not at all uncommon for guys with reef tanks to pump kilowatts of light into their reef tanks to produce the intensity of mid-day equatorial sunlight. it takes a lot of photons to grow stony corals.

none of the reflectors are white. the best ones are made of specular aluminum sheet. you can buy it.

another option if you just want to stick an adhesive reflective material to an existing lamp is the aluminum tape that you'll find in the HVAC aisle of your local hardware store. be sure to ground it to the chassis for fluorescents.

 

[404]

I am not into "growing", but those that are make many foils, this is one.

http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-Diamond-Foil-Black-Backed

 

[Shiftless]

IMHO the only reason you need to have the reflector film smooth is cosmetic. How often do you closely inspect the reflectors above the fluorescent tubes? The wrinkles will reflect light in different directions but isn't that what you want for even lighting of your garage/shop? If you wanted to focus light you need smooth surfaces but you don't need focus in this application. You want diffusion.

 

[doyle4281]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you! This will be much easier to apply and it is not expensive. Thank you!

I am not into "growing", but those that are make many foils, this is one.

http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-Diamond-Foil-Black-Backed

 

[Kellyblues]

I am not into "growing", but those that are make many foils, this is one.

http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-Diamond-Foil-Black-Backed

I used this to make some custom lighting for a photographer friend and it worked perfectly.

 

[doyle4281]

I just ordered a 50' roll. Thanks again guys. This stuff should be much easier to apply than the super thin stuff I was trying to use. Thanks again

 

[404]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you! This will be much easier to apply and it is not expensive. Thank you!

You are very welcome.

 

[JIMBOSO]

When I sourced my flush mounted t8 4' & 8' fixtures via a local electrical supply house I specified "specular reflectors" they Alone added 20$ to each fixture. Expensive (Cooper Metalux) units, but worth it as my garage man cave is Very well lite with them. "IF" you are Serious ($$) research your fixtures and see if you can source replacement reflectors. I have NO experience with peel & stick product, they might work fantastic and save huge coin. I learned about the specular reflectors as they updated the lighting in our Government work site where we work on Submarine and carrier SHips repair facility.

Jim

 

[Platonic Solid]

Fixtures for general illumination on a 10ft ceiling should not require reflectors if ceiling is painted with typical flat white ceiling paint. Since the reflector is probably used as the ballast channel cover, I'd cut the reflector off.

 

[doyle4281]

Fixtures for general illumination on a 10ft ceiling should not require reflectors if ceiling is painted with typical flat white ceiling paint. Since the reflector is probably used as the ballast channel cover, I'd cut the reflector off.

These lights are hung at 10ft, however the ceiling are higher, peaks around 14ft, and its bare wood currently. I began painting the walls, and it certainly brightens up the place, the ceilings will likely be done in polyiso panels with the silver reflective material left exposed.