Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
If you want flawless finishes, perfect paint jobs, and perfectly sanded surfaces, there’s one problem you have to solve first: actually seeing the surface.
You’re usually looking at your project from one angle, under one kind of light. But move it into sunlight, a brightly lit room, or simply look at it from another direction, and flaws you never noticed can suddenly jump out.
Clear finishes like polyurethane can leave raised dust nibs that are extremely difficult to see. Sanding swirls can disappear under normal shop lighting, only to show themselves after the finish goes on.
That’s where a raking light comes in.
Instead of shining down, the light travels across the surface at a very low angle. Tiny bumps cast shadows, sanding scratches light up, and areas of paint or finish you missed suddenly become obvious.
I’ve never been a huge fan of using raking light because getting a regular light positioned at the right angle can be a pain. That was until I picked up this guy.
Any bright light can technically work, but most lights throw light everywhere. That can wash out the surface instead of revealing it. What makes this one different is that the LEDs are recessed inside the metal housing. When I lay it flat, the light completely disappears. As I slowly raise one side, I can let out just a thin slice of light and dial in an extremely low angle.
Like step by step projects? Check out the second channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Bill Patterson
D. Lundman
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
If you want flawless finishes, perfect paint jobs, and perfectly sanded surfaces, there’s one problem you have to solve first: actually seeing the surface.
You’re usually looking at your project from one angle, under one kind of light. But move it into sunlight, a brightly lit room, or simply look at it from another direction, and flaws you never noticed can suddenly jump out.
Clear finishes like polyurethane can leave raised dust nibs that are extremely difficult to see. Sanding swirls can disappear under normal shop lighting, only to show themselves after the finish goes on.
That’s where a raking light comes in.
Instead of shining down, the light travels across the surface at a very low angle. Tiny bumps cast shadows, sanding scratches light up, and areas of paint or finish you missed suddenly become obvious.
I’ve never been a huge fan of using raking light because getting a regular light positioned at the right angle can be a pain. That was until I picked up this guy.
Any bright light can technically work, but most lights throw light everywhere. That can wash out the surface instead of revealing it. What makes this one different is that the LEDs are recessed inside the metal housing. When I lay it flat, the light completely disappears. As I slowly raise one side, I can let out just a thin slice of light and dial in an extremely low angle.
Like step by step projects? Check out the second channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Bill Patterson
D. Lundman
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
