Will lights damage models??

some of you may have seent the display cabinet i made a couple of weeks ago.. im looking at getting some downlights put in. DO you guys think the heat from the light will damage the models??? do you know if there are any low heat lights available?

CHeers
Frank

It all depends on the type of light used. I've seen models destroyed (I do mean destroyed) on a display shelf at some of the LHS here. All the models warped and deformed terribly beyond repair. I can't suggest any though as I'm not an expert in this, sorry. But one thing to bear in mind is that even with some heat the plastic and paint finish will be affected over time.

bear in mind is that even with some heat the plastic and paint finish will be affected over time.

thats what i was worried about too.....i was thinking about not putting lights in because of this reason. however i really like hte effect of lights on models instead of natural light.

Sunlight and fluorescent bulbs can fade things over time.

Maybe someone with experience and expertise can answer your question that can be beneficial to us all. Sunlight can really dull the paint, and direct sunlight will even affect clear coats over time.

use LEDs, jelly made a really cool display cabinet with about 20-30 LEDs in it, they give off bright light but they run cold (practically no heat) not enough heat to damage a model, im not sure about the light from them affecting paintwork though, my halogen 12v desk light gets really hot and melt plastic if its near it for a few mins (it melted my skyline bonnet/hood, it now has a big "dip" that needs putty to fill it.
so just be careful with what you chose.

My cabinets have halogen lights with individually wired on/off switches and with a dimmer so I can use only the ones I want at any level I choose.
But I also do not leave them on for extended periods of time and have a thermometer inside on the top shelf to monitor the temperature.
I have to say the halogen light is very complimentary to models, but they can be very hot near the bulb. Like 2.2 said, be careful what you choose... - Mark

I just happen to work for a lighting company and I've just started monitoring the temperature of halogen downlights. The hottest part on the outside of the lamp reaches temps of 180 - 195 degrees celsius... regardless if their 12v or 240v.

If your models are about half a metre away it wouldn't be too bad but if their only 5cm away they'd melt... paint would come off... disaster

about 30cm away temp is down to 20-28 degrees celsius.

You can get LED replacement lamps for the downlights.. they do ran way cooler. even a fluoro tube runs at only 40 degrees celsius..

hope that helps...

oh.. you could always have indirect lighting if you want to use halogens..

led lights sound very good... the shelving is about 35cm spacing (if memory serves me right....i should go to a lighting store and see what they have available.....i was thinking fluoro tube, but they look to cheap to put in the cabinet. i dont know so many variables to think of!!

My case is white and the lights are aimed at the back, and the light reflects at the models. The lights are low watt lights like in a aquarium.
Mark
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/650Mark/IM002462.jpg

My case is white and the lights are aimed at the back, and the light reflects at the models. The lights are low watt lights like in a aquarium.
Mark
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/650Mark/IM002462.jpg

that looks good, however a bit hard to do with my cabinet....i think im stuck with getting downlights. ill just try to minimise there use, which kinda defeats teh purpose