Vehicle Workshop Lighting: Lux Levels, Lifts, Spray Booths and Showrooms

In a vehicle workshop, lighting decides whether a scratch, an oil leak or a colour difference is spotted. At the same time, mechanics work under vehicles, at lifts and in spray booths, where shadows and glare quickly become a problem. This guide shows the right lux levels per area, the right choice of luminaire and what matters in a car showroom.

Lux levels per workshop area

Area	Illuminance	Colour rendering	Note
General workshop floor, traffic routes	approx. 300 lux	Ra ≥ 80	Even across the whole hall
Servicing, repair, tyre service	approx. 300 lux	Ra ≥ 80	Extra light at the lift
Body work, welding	approx. 500 lux	Ra ≥ 80	Robust luminaires, consider sparks
Paint preparation, painting	approx. 750 lux	Ra ≥ 90	Even, without colour cast
Colour matching, final inspection	approx. 1,000 lux	Ra ≥ 90	Daylight-like light, 5000K to 6500K
Showroom (car dealership)	approx. 500 lux	Ra ≥ 80, ideally 90	Accent light on vehicles

The values are based on EN 12464-1 and are maintained values. General lux reference values for all areas can be found under How Much Lux Do You Need?

Light at the vehicle lift

When a vehicle is on the lift, it blocks the ceiling light exactly where work is done. Two solutions have proven themselves:

• Light lines beside the lifts: Rows of luminaires to the left and right of each lift instead of one row in the middle, so light falls obliquely under the vehicle.
• Wall or column luminaires: Additional tri-proof lights at 1.5 to 2 m height on the wall or lift columns.

Hand lamps remain necessary, but the general lighting should be good enough that you don't need one for every task.

Which luminaires for the workshop?

Ceiling height	Recommended luminaire	Why
3–5 m	Tri-proof light or trunking	Even, robust, IP65
5–8 m	Linear high bays	More luminous flux, wide distribution
above 8 m (truck workshop)	High bays 150–200W	High output, large mounting height

IP65 is standard in workshops because oil mist, cleaning water and brake dust would otherwise get into the housing (see IP Ratings Explained). If you still have fluorescent battens, you can often keep them running with LED tubes (see Replacing Fluorescent Tubes with LED).

Luminaires for workshops

Spray booth and explosion protection

Painting produces solvent vapours. Depending on the installation and risk assessment, the booth or its surroundings is a hazardous zone. Only luminaires with ATEX certification for that zone may be used there. How zones are classified is explained in our guide ATEX and Ex-Proof Lighting.

Car dealership and showroom

In the showroom, light helps sell. Even general lighting of around 500 lux provides orientation, while directional spotlights on the vehicles bring paint and lines to life. High colour rendering (Ra 90) matters, so paint colours look the same inside as outside. 3-phase track spotlights are ideal, because the vehicles change regularly and the spotlights can simply be moved.

Worked example

A workshop with 30 fluorescent fittings 2 × 58W (approx. 140W each) is replaced by 30 LED tri-proof lights of 55W, 2,500 operating hours a year, €0.28/kWh: saving 30 × 85W × 2,500 h = 6,375 kWh, around €1,785 a year. More in our guide LED Payback Period Calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How many lux does a vehicle workshop need?

Around 300 lux for general work and servicing, around 500 lux for body work, and 750 to 1,000 lux for painting and colour matching.

Which colour temperature is best for a workshop?

4000K for general areas, 5000K to 6500K for painting and final inspection, because daylight-like light makes colour deviations easier to see.

Why does colour rendering matter in a workshop?

With poor colour rendering, paint colours look different than in daylight. For painting and colour matching, Ra 90 or higher is needed.

Do I need ATEX luminaires in the spray booth?

That depends on the zone classification resulting from the risk assessment. In hazardous zones only certified Ex luminaires are allowed.

How do I light the area under a vehicle lift?

With rows of luminaires beside the lift rather than above its centre, plus additional wall luminaires at 1.5 to 2 m height.