Workshop

1 hexagon per 20 sq ft (0.55 per m²) as a baseline, like a garage. But go up to 1 per 13 sq ft (0.80 per m²) over inspection and detailing zones: that's where a finish gets judged.

Because you're not looking for the same thing. In mechanics, you want to see a part. In detailing, you want to see a flaw a few microns deep in the clear coat: the grid has to reflect densely enough on the bodywork to reveal holograms.

The right benchmark isn't the panel's lumens but the illuminance at the work surface, in lux: 300 to 500 lux for everyday work, 750 lux and up for quality control. Watts, meanwhile, have meant nothing since LED.

No, they're three different problems. The workbench needs light on the work surface with no shadow from your hand; the lift needs light under the vehicle; the pit needs clean, permanent lighting that doesn't depend on a work lamp.

CRI above 90. Below that, reds and coppers look wrong, and a touch-up that looks right in the garage is visibly off outdoors.

Yes, but for a different job. The grid is the work light; the inspection lamp is the control light, brought in at a grazing angle to read a defect. One doesn't replace the other.

No, but allow 50% more panels. Also think about access for cleaning: at that height, basic maintenance calls for a lift platform or scaffolding.

Dust builds up on the diffusers and cuts output very gradually — you don't notice it happening. Plan a yearly clean with a dry cloth, power off. In wash bays, you need a suitable ingress protection rating.