Paint Thickness Guages, How Important Are They?

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expdetailing

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My title seems like a dumb question untill we boil down the need for a paint guage for just the topic of clear coat. As I understand, these meter tell you how thick all layers are combined. If we can't separate the individual layers, how do we really know how thick the clear is?
I would like someone to educate me that I sould have a guage (exluding other reasoning i.e. single stage) when I am only concerned about clear. I feel as if there has to a valid reason, but can not come-up with one of my own.
Thank you to anyone who writes a response.
 
There are EPTGs that will measure the three individual film-layers of a BC/CC paint system---the primer, BC, and CC----with individual readings for each film-layer.

They are not inexpensive, to say the least; but can be rented.

Bob
 
It is well known that STIs have very thin paint. So recently I had an owner come by so I can measure the paint as he wanted the trashed paint on the car to bring back to beautiful. Some panels measured low 60s. No need to know how much of that is clear. You simply turn that customer away. At least that is what I did and suggested to vinyl wrap the car. If you are a pro detailer, it is as important as a clay bar.
 
What are some you use? This will for sure be my next purchase. I been putting it off for a while and I don't want it to bite me in the a**.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using AG Online
 
FUNX725 said:
There are EPTGs that will measure the three individual film-layers of a BC/CC paint system---the primer, BC, and CC----with individual readings for each film-layer.

They are not inexpensive, to say the least; but can be rented.

Bob
Click to expand...

Those are for plastic. Not metal
 
Typically, anything over 3.3 MILS I will do a one-step polish without any problems.

4-6mils is very healthy to do a compound and polish.
 
A paint gauge is a must if your planning on doing any wet sanding its also nice to have so you can check to see if a car has been repainted . As stated above if you get some thin paint and you get to aggressive that $250+ for a paint gauge wouldn't of been so bad if your Taking a car to a body shop
 
TopThatDetail said:
A paint gauge is a must if your planning on doing any wet sanding its also nice to have so you can check to see if a car has been repainted . As stated above if you get some thin paint and you get to aggressive that $250+ for a paint gauge wouldn't of been so bad if your Taking a car to a body shop
Click to expand...

^^ I've helped many people check whether their intended used car purchase has been previously repainted. Many dealers hate me LOL
 
808_detail_nut said:
What are some you use? This will for sure be my next purchase. I been putting it off for a while and I don't want it to bite me in the a**.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using AG Online
Click to expand...

I bought mine from Ebay for arounfd $160 and it works like a charm. I compared it to a $500 one and the difference in Mils was very minimal. Worth it to me!
 
FUNX725 said:
There are EPTGs that will measure the three individual film-layers of a BC/CC paint system---the primer, BC, and CC----with individual readings for each film-layer.

They are not inexpensive, to say the least; but can be rented.

Bob
Click to expand...

Where do you rent a gauge?
 
Get one.

It has saved me from making a huge mistake that in one case would have ended with me being sued for a repaint. I measured the lady's paint on her Jag and told her it was too thin to be able to compound out several scratches she was worried about. She took it to somebody else and they did use a heavy compound and a rotary. Went through the clear, the color, and down into the primer. And she did sue them.

In another case a car was brought to me to remove another scratch. But the meter told me that the panel it was on had been repainted (badly) and the painter had used a combo of clear and color in a one shot paint process. It was five times as thick as the paint on the opposite fender. Scratch came out easily with all that paint to work with.
 
^^ you mean 140.. Not 40.. Lol. It appears to be the same one as I posted in a link few threads above. Check it out.
 
Here I was thinking all of these things were $500-1000

Is there a drawback to these cheaper ones?
 
GenesisCoupe said:
^^ you mean 140.. Not 40.. Lol. It appears to be the same one as I posted in a link few threads above. Check it out.
Click to expand...

Lol the little pull down arrow thing was blocking the 1 on the 140. Haha.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using AG Online
 
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