Fluorescents don't do any kind of damage to paints. They just hurt some people's eyes depending if you have a problem with that light spectrum. Having said that, halogen is about the best kind of light you could get, but it does have higher wattages, even the low voltage tend to be of a higher wattage. Halogen’s are the best light out there for homes, and it's spectrum much like the sun will allow you to see things you might miss with a florescent, but this will be like granite, marble and oil paintings as you will lose the edge/luster in these things with any other light source. I personally hate fluorescents, but it is the best light for the garage as it's a very low wattage for the amount of light it gives out. Only LED's will give out less wattage, but these are a few years off before they become viable for a home lighting source. They make them now, but they are very poor. MIT is doing a liquid crystal wrap with these and getting great results, but this again is a few years away from being in production. 8 foot T8's are the way to go to light up a big area.

plug in lights
 

I use 8' flourecents which I wired plug ends on each, and when I built my shop I wired outlets in the ceiling for each to plug into, so each light on my ceiling has a short cord to a plug. This way if a ballast goes I unplug the light take it down and toss it in the garbage, in most cases a complete light is cheaper to buy than a ballast, not to mention easier to change.

Florescents also flicker at a rate that can be picked up by some people - just like a TV or computer monitor and the rate is not adjustable. Plus the ballasts buzzzzz when they are cold - or get hot. Sometimes cycling them on/off fixes it - but it can be annoying - unless you turn up the radio.

Florescents are not good around spinning machinery, lathes, mills etc. Makes them look like they are not spinning at some rpms.

If your car looks good under florescent lighting, specifically the paint, it will look great under all other light, including natural light.

Here are a couple shots of my lights. T8 with electronic ballast. Tough to get a good picture. My shop is 28' x 36' I have 3- 8' units and a 4' unit in each row. They are all twin bulb. I have 6 switches so I can put the light where I need it.

Someone mentioned garage door openers, I had my door guy use these wall mounted motors, they work perfect. I was looking to maximize headroom for a future 4-post lift. (If you are thinking of getting a lift, put a receptacle in the ceiling)

Also, a pic of my urinal, lol, with a little planning it is cake to install and it gets used constantly.