Paint Gauge Readings?

[RhetoricMixes]

Just got my Highline meter II yesterday and proceeded to take some measurements of all my vehicles. Some of the readings I got were a little scary too and wanted to see if any of you could confirm my fears. I know that this gauge only measures total film thickness but the facts that I was getting readings anywhere from 80-130 mils all over the both vehicles. Are these normal readings for vehicles that get polished annually and are well kept?

 

[oldmodman]

Yes.
Factory paint is generally quite thin. All the measurements that I took on all my cars were about the same. With only one exception. My 92 Explorer were in the 120 to 170 area, with the repainted areas being 225 to 280
All my newer cars were the same as your measurements. I think if the manufacturers could make it any thinner they would.

By the way congratulation on buying a really good meter and a very useful tool.

 

[RhetoricMixes]

Yes.
Factory paint is generally quite thin. All the measurements that I took on all my cars were about the same. With only one exception. My 92 Explorer were in the 120 to 170 area, with the repainted areas being 225 to 280
All my newer cars were the same as your measurements. I think if the manufacturers could make it any thinner they would.

By the way congratulation on buying a really good meter and a very useful tool.

Thanks for the praise. I bought it as both to help me gauge (no pun intended) my vehicles and to help cover my butt when buffing a clients car, wouldnt want to spend big bucks for a respray. Also looks more professional IMO to have one. The sad part is both my vehicles are newer, one being a 06 and the other a 10.

 

[psynx]

Just got my Highline meter II yesterday and proceeded to take some measurements of all my vehicles. Some of the readings I got were a little scary too and wanted to see if any of you could confirm my fears. I know that this gauge only measures total film thickness but the facts that I was getting readings anywhere from 80-130 mils all over the both vehicles. Are these normal readings for vehicles that get polished annually and are well kept?

Microns or mils? I also have that same meter. I see most people prefer microns measurements over mils

Sent from my SCH-I605 using AG Online

 

[RhetoricMixes]

Microns or mils? I also have that same meter. I see most people prefer microns measurements over mils

Sent from my SCH-I605 using AG Online

Sorry forgot to mention the reading was in microns

 

[Joe@Superior Shine]

Microns or mils? I also have that same meter. I see most people prefer microns measurements over mils

Sent from my SCH-I605 using AG Online

Can't be mils!! Most factory fresh cars are 4.5-5.5 mils or there about.

 

[rmagnus]

Just got my Highline meter II yesterday and proceeded to take some measurements of all my vehicles. Some of the readings I got were a little scary too and wanted to see if any of you could confirm my fears. I know that this gauge only measures total film thickness but the facts that I was getting readings anywhere from 80-130 mils all over the both vehicles. Are these normal readings for vehicles that get polished annually and are well kept?

I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir but calibrate it everyonce in a while. Mine stays true but better to be safe than sorry. Measure the door sil and trunk sil or under the hood to get a better idea of the primer/color coat thickness because the CC is usually thinner there. Then subtract that average from your readings to get a better idea how much clear you have to work with.

 

[RhetoricMixes]

I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir but calibrate it everyonce in a while. Mine stays true but better to be safe than sorry. Measure the door sil and trunk sil or under the hood to get a better idea of the primer/color coat thickness because the CC is usually thinner there. Then subtract that average from your readings to get a better idea how much clear you have to work with.

Will do when I get a chance, thanks!

 

[Joe@Superior Shine]

Keep in mind clear coat is about as thick as a sheet of typing paper. Of that thickness only 1/3 of that is the "safety range" for correction work. Respect those numbers but do not let it scare you.

 

[psynx]

Keep in mind clear coat is about as thick as a sheet of typing paper. Of that thickness only 1/3 of that is the "safety range" for correction work. Respect those numbers but do not let it scare you.

Yea I remember you and kevin said that during the nxt class at megs.
The highline meter comes with some samples and I always calibrate it since its always off by .02 or .04 mils