Paint Meter/Thickness Gauges!

[MoPe]

NONE of their links work...

[01bluecls]

Not sure about the links. Generally a car reads about 5.5 mils or 135-150 ulms. Another general guideline from what I have learned is that clear coat makes up about 2.5 mils of the 5.5 mils. If I read a painted panel and it shows that there is less than 100ulms, very little clear is left and I avoid any deep polishing as much as necessary. Anything over 190 usually indicates a repaint. Each brand of car is different. Overtime and research and experience, You learn which cars should be reading at which levels.

[MoPe]

Originally Posted by 01bluecls

Not sure about the links. Generally a car reads about 5.5 mils or 135-150 ulms. Another general guideline from what I have learned is that clear coat makes up about 2.5 mils of the 5.5 mils. If I read a painted panel and it shows that there is less than 100ulms, very little clear is left and I avoid any deep polishing as much as necessary. Anything over 190 usually indicates a repaint. Each brand of car is different. Overtime and research and experience, You learn which cars should be reading at which levels.

Thanks. I plan on writing down the make, model, starting mils and ending mils for each car I do, and review the sheets every know and then, or before I go back to do some work on the car.

[lecchilo]

Originally Posted by lecchilo

oh and I found it here...
Coating Thickness Gages

is that it? seems like a great price compared to what you paid

hey blue, so this is the same gauge as you have correct?
would you suggest I get the one with the integrated or external probe?
I'm thinking of going with the external so I can look like a doctor haha j/k... i think it's easier to just hold the gauge upright and move the probe around....
anyway, can you just verify that they're the same, I'll be buying in the next couple days...
oh and how has it worked for you, no problems at all ??

[01bluecls]

I would get the one with the external probe. That wasnt available when I bought mine

A few things to keep in mind. Exact measurements are hard to get. Say for instance you measure 5 areas on a panel. The chances you are going to measure the EXACT five same spots are slim. Also almost all gauges have some margin of error which can throw readings off slightly by a few ulms. Use the gauge as a generaly guide to see areas of paint's thickness, not an exect measurement.

[lecchilo]

Originally Posted by 01bluecls

I would get the one with the external probe. That wasnt available when I bought mine

A few things to keep in mind. Exact measurements are hard to get. Say for instance you measure 5 areas on a panel. The chances you are going to measure the EXACT five same spots are slim. Also almost all gauges have some margin of error which can throw readings off slightly by a few ulms. Use the gauge as a generaly guide to see areas of paint's thickness, not an exect measurement.

I'm ordering next week... I mainly want to use it as a precaution for ss paint... I've been working on a few cars and had to go easy on the paint, fearing that I would bring out the shine and glossiness of the primer

[SilvaBimma]

3.5 to 5.5 Mils (87 - 137 Micros) TOTAL film, with clear coats about 1.5 to 2.0 Mils thick. You cannot remove more than .3 to .5 mils, or else you risk UV Damage & Clearcoat failure.

Gauges:

AutoInt ETG1 - $325
PosiTec DFT - $500
PosiTec 6000 - $+1500 (Includes software to show charts)

Take into consideration the year, condition, and desired results. Otherwise meters are extremely essential for professional results!

[MoPe]

Thanks guys!


And thanks Silva for the added information; exactly what I was looking for..

[carcat1]

I agree. Especially for high-end exotic and expensive vehicles.

No matter how much it costs, it sure pays for itself many times over, depending on the market segment that you are in.

[ThEGuN]

any updates so far? This is a ressurected thread I would really like to know.

[SuperBee364]

Just a tag... nothing to see here...

[tod071]

I'd also like to hear an update on these gauges. 1bluecls, lecchilo, tdekany...was it "money well spent", or a "should've gotten something else"? I woudn't mind getting a paint gauge especially for ss paint and higher end cars.