Well, on a trip to my local hardware big box (Menard's), I found light bulb sockets while looking for something else. That's when it hit me. Two sockets, inside the booth would allow me to install a pair of CFL's. Lots of light!
So out when the old light (attached with chalk) and in went the new lights. I attached them with machine screws and nuts, then wired the whole thing up with a cheap extension cord. Just cut off the multi plug part and use the wire for you project. Some spade lugs were crimped on and the whole shebang wired, spliced and secured with wire nuts. Then I plugged the cord into the outlet for the light and turned it on. 150 watts of light! The photos show the sockets mounted.
I had to add a valance to the booth after the first time I turned on the lights cause they were right on my face. A piece of styrene and some chalking fixed that. Now, I've got enough light to see everything I'm painting without any issues.
The lighting upgrade, depending on where you shop, will run you about $20. Light bulbs will be the most expensive. Here's what I used...
2 standard light bulb sockets
4 1.5" 10/24 bolts, nuts and #10 washers
4 spade lug connectors. I got round ones and cut notches in them
2 6 foot extension cords.
2 wire nuts for the gauge wire the cords are. Usually #16-18 gauge,
2 CFL bulbs. I'm currently using 75 watt cool whites, but I'm going to switch to full spectrum bulbs before too long. You can use smaller bulbs as well. The 75's are bright!
As always, if you are uncomfortable with hooking up wiring, get some help. Always double check everything before plugging it in!
Now that the paint booth is working well, time to get back to modeling!
