Does Halogen light damage Polyurethane finish?

[Tegmark]

I have a project made out of 18mm Marine ply that is nicely finished in 2pack Poly, the kind for floodboards. I will be using powerful 150Watt halogen lights close to the wood within 1Meter. The surface of the wood doesn't get warm but its bright.

Will this light cause any damage if the lights are occasionally on for 4-5hours at a time? is it like UV damage at all?

thanks

[BobL]

Yes it will but even a plain glass cover over the lamps will reduce the amount of UV getting to the timber.
This means you need to ventilate the lamp in some way.
See
https://www.nema.org/Policy/Environmental-Stewardship/Lamps/Documents/LSD%201%20T-H%20Lamps%20v2_4%202003%20C6.pdf

[soundman]

as well as visible light, halogen lights all output large amounts of infrared and ultraviolet light.

However there are some halogen lights , Dichroics in particular that have next to no IR and UV ....... these will have ( what looks to be) a clear glass front and have been used extensively for lighting artworks.

These days however, you would be far better off doing a quality LED replacement ...... they produce next to no UV and IR and consume 1/4 to 1/6 the amount of electricity. ..... and chosen well will have a much cleaner, smoother, whiter light.

cheers

[Alkahestic]

The only thing I can add to soundman is beware of the CRI of the LEDs you get. Cheaper LEDs will have low CRI and colors will look really bad under these lights.

[scarletaura]

Have you tried a day light LED?

[soundman]

cheaper LEDs have a short lfe and poor colour balance.