Cheap panel heater

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Discussion

julian64

Original Poster:

14,317 posts

253 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
quotequote all
Anyone got a recommendation on a cheap panel heater.

I would like panels or scratch repairs to go a little faster, with less time for flies to attach to the paint, and possibly a more consistent finish

I've been using simple flood lights, which do transfer heat, but they aern't very controlable for temperature

paintman

7,669 posts

189 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
quotequote all
Cheap is you with a hot air gun.
Best way is with infra-red heaters(I SMART repair professionally & I've got 4)similar to below. Not cheap though.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1Kw-Infra-Red-Heater-Uni...
You can get various domestic infra red heaters on ebay, so you might want to look at them. How well they would work I have no idea.

julian64

Original Poster:

14,317 posts

253 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
quotequote all
Thats the sort of thing. They do a longer cheaper one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Bodyshop-panel-paint...

but it specifically says not for smart repair

Any idea why you couldn't use it on a smart repair?

7even

462 posts

192 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
quotequote all
julian64 said:
Any idea why you couldn't use it on a smart repair?
They look like they have a larger head than standard, therefor getting the correct bulbs to fit may be an issue. Also the feet are next to useless, Look for one with a "H" base.

paintman

7,669 posts

189 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
quotequote all
Mine are approx 16"x 5.5" & the stand bases are solid X shape.
Agree with the above about the bases on those, they look flimsy & a triangular shape is just asking to be knocked over. Not keen on the height adjustment either - similar to the Machine Mart lights I've got so based on experience!

ETA. You DO need to keep an eye on things when using them & adjust the distance from the object as they can get things very hot - they can blister paint and plastic does funny things when it gets too hot! Follow the instructions on the Technical Data Sheets with the material you are heating.
So you will also need an infra red laser thermometer. My current one is a 'less than a tenner incl p&p' off ebay & does the job. Similar to this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-Infrared-IR-Ther...


Edited by paintman on Wednesday 28th January 18:36