Where to find the best paint depth gauge?

B

Blackmirror

New member
currently i am using Meguiars #9 swirl remover and #26 yellow wax(want to finish these up first before using Klasse AIO and SG). i use a foam pad to apply each one. I find that when applying it looks like the product disappears after applying it for a few seconds. I use a dime size dab. after like 15 seconds of rubbing, the product disappears and i dont see a haze anymore. But when i do put more pressure on the pad i can see the product haze on the paint again. this applies to both the polish and wax. am i doing something wrong applying these two products?
 
It is normal for the #9 (I hope you're using 2.0, not the original) to dry out and have the abrasives diminish, until it does begin to dissappear. However if this is happening in 15 seconds and you're using more than a one-finger pressure area, I suspect you're not using enough stuff. It SHOULD take a while - even with the orbital.
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Blackmirror [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>But when i do put more pressure on the pad i can see the product haze on the paint again. this applies to both the polish and wax. am i doing something wrong applying these two products? [/b]</blockquote>
If you suddenly apply more pressure on your applicator, you are squeezing out the product that you applicator has been soaking up. You'll notice that this also happens when you shift your finger positions on your applicator when you are about to need another dab of product.

Carguy is right. 15 seconds is way to short for the polish to start disappearing.

Also, for a wax, you shouldn't be spending 15 seconds on a section of your car. Swipe it on lightly and once it's there, move on. :)
 
I've noticed alot of you guys before you start a detail you messure the thickness of the paint. As a private detailer I never had enough supplemental cash to purchase on, but now i do :clap: I have used them before in various detail and auto body shops. i've done a little bit of google search but cant really find the one I am looking for and I'd like a little input from you guys. The one we had at the last place I worked at could measure the thickness on metal, fiberglass, plastics and that is really what I want. I work on a lot of Corvettes and custom painted vehicles, so I believe that would be the best bet for me. I dont have a ton of money to spend on it but if I can find one that is reliable/do the things i want it to do that would be excellent!


Thanks,

Michael
 
The Defelsko PosiTector 200 Series (Advanced) will work on composites, fiberglass, ect. It will not work on any metal based paints. I have one that I bought used, they are approx $2600 retail.
 
The basic breakdown is that the highline is the best dollar for dollar as it is only $220ish and gets the job done nicely on metal.
If you want to read on other materials, you'll need a much less accurate and much more expensive ultrasonic thickness gauge. As Bryan mentioned, they're quite expensive and hard to find. Defelsko makes two different model and Elcometer makes a couple different ones as well. I'm set to do some testing with the Elcometer model coming up soon, but until then can't speak too much on it. The Defelsko 200 advanced is the only one I know of on the market that is supposed to be able to read individual layer thickness, but that's another bag of worms.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top