In a garage, there are 0.55 hexagons per square meter. In a detailing bay, this increases to 0.80. That's almost 50% more panels for the same surface area, and it's not a luxury: it's the difference between a well-lit room and one where you can see defects.
Specifically, for a 40 m² bay: 32 hexagons instead of 22.
Detailing doesn't seek to see, it seeks to reveal
In mechanics, light is used to distinguish a part, read a reference, or choose the correct wrench. In detailing, it's used to reveal what is almost invisible: a hologram left by a polisher, a sanding mark, a difference in shine on two adjacent panels.
These defects are only visible through reflection. Therefore, the light source must reflect off the car body at a useful angle, and this must be possible at any point on the vehicle. The denser the grid, the more useful angles are multiplied.
The detailing bay chart
| Bay surface area | Hexagons at 0.80/m² | For comparison: garage 0.55/m² |
|---|---|---|
| 25 m² | 20 | 14 |
| 30 m² | 24 | 17 |
| 40 m² | 32 | 22 |
| 50 m² | 40 | 28 |
| 60 m² | 48 | 33 |
As with everything, above 3 m ceiling height, add 50% — and professional bays are often tall.
Where to place density
Density should not be uniform everywhere. What matters is the vehicle's footprint plus a margin:
- Above the vehicle and 1 m all around: full density. This is the inspection area.
- Traffic area, product storage: you can go back down to 0.55, no one inspects a car body there.
- Above the washing area, if it's in the same room: pay attention to the protection rating, water and splashes require adapted equipment.
Two common mistakes
- Compensating density with power. Doubling the lumens of six panels does not replace twelve panels: you get more intense, thus more dazzling, sources, and still as many areas without useful reflection.
- Lighting only from above. The rocker panels, door bottoms, and bumpers remain in the vehicle's own shadow. A grid that extends laterally allows light to enter from the sides.
Should you keep an inspection lamp?
Yes, and it's not an admission of failure. An inspection lamp provides a punctual, orientable source that you move around to find a particular angle. The ceiling provides a continuous sheet of light that allows you to work for hours without fatigue. The two do not perform the same task — the ceiling does not replace the lamp, but it means you only take it out for the final check.
Key takeaways
- 0.80 hexagons per m² in a detailing bay, compared to 0.55 in a garage.
- Full density focuses on the vehicle's footprint + 1 m.
- More panels, not more powerful panels.
- The inspection lamp remains useful for the final check.
See white hexagonal LED kits — large configurations cover a complete bay without having to mix two series of panels.
