Why Paint Thickness Readings are Important

Evan.J

Evan.J

New member
Joined
Sep 18, 2012
Messages
4,915
Reaction score
0
Today I had privilege of working on a Porsche Turbo for a customer and all I can say its that Im glad I take readings on every car I do along with every panel I plan on polishing.

With the Porsche all washed and decontaminated I pulled out my PTG (Paint Thickness Gauge) and took my reading starting with the hood. What I found was thickness from 8.5 mils all the way up to 10.4 mils. After speaking with the owner about the hood he has stated that he heard that the hood had been repainted at some point (as were my thoughts after seeing the thickness).



I then took to the rest of the car finding your typical factory paint thickness anywhere from 3.7 mils to 5.4 mils.

While going around the car I was on the driver side door taking measurement and I was stopped dead in my tracks. I was taking reading of 1.8 mils and lower :wow:.

I could not believe what I was finding. On the door the lowest reading I took was 1.2 mils and the highest was 1.8 mils.



For those of you that don't know thats very very thin in over all paint thickness NOT just the clear coat. I then explained to the customer my findings and told him that its too risky to do any correction on that door panel at all and the chances of sticking through are very good and thats not something I am willing to do. I said for that panel I will take a finishing polish and finish pad over then panel but nothing more and he was very understanding and thankful that I explained this to him.

The point that I am trying to make is that a PTG should be in everyones bag if you doing work on cars. You also need to get the history at all possible about the car as well.

If I had not had a PTG and took reading there could have been a very good chance that I would have struck through the paint on this car causing nothing but damage and having an upset customer that might have never returned to do business again.

Don't be a guessing or blind detailer and hope that you won't strike through because if you not taking readings then you are running that risk. I would never want to see anyone run into a problem like this and do damage to a vehicle because they did not have the tools to know what they are working on. A PTG will provide you with the info that is needed to help you make better designs when working on cars.

Better to be safe than sorry :props:


For those looking for a PTG please do yourself a favor and take a look at Zach's Thread on this PTG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...aint-thickness-gauge-affordable-everyone.html
 
Your a pro man:)
I know I'm at risk not taking readings.
Soon I'll have to buy a reader being I'll be doing my share of cars this summer.
Thanks for sharing, you woke me up:)
 
"The point that I am trying to make is that a PTG should be in everyones bag if you doing work on cars. You also need to get the history at all possible about the car as well."

Yes, sir. Absolutely agreed. :props:

I ended up picking up a PTG before spending on a Flex/Rupes. Even as a hobbyist, I figured it's better to have one next to my PC than another polisher (as much as I want a better unit to play with). I'd rather fly slowly than flying blind.
 
I have the now discontinued Harbor Freight meter and even with it's limitations it has been an ass saver on some of the cars I have offered to do for friends.

Last year a neighbor asked if I could "freshen up" the paint on a last gen Camaro he was selling. I'm sure glad that I had a meter. The paint on all the top surfaces had already been polished to death. All I was willing to do was clay, and AIO those surfaces. It was the interior where I felt I could make the biggest impression.

The work must have helped. The first person to look at it, bought it.
 
great post. what ptg do you guys recommend for someone that's starting out?
 
mrclean said:
great post. what ptg do you guys recommend for someone that's starting out?
Click to expand...

Depending on your budget, i bought one for 40 bucks on ebay.

PM me if you'd like a link.

Great article Evan! Thanks!!
 
Evan.J said:
CM8801FN Paint Thickness Gauge - Affordable for Everyone!
Click to expand...

cool, thanks!

Scott@IncrediblyDetailed said:
CM8801FN Paint Coating Thickness Gauge
Click to expand...

seems like alot of you guys like this one, and the prices is very affordable.
can this ptg be bought at northern tools?

GenesisCoupe said:
Depending on your budget, i bought one for 40 bucks on ebay.

PM me if you'd like a link.

Great article Evan! Thanks!!
Click to expand...

thanks and i appreciate that bro, but i think this is one thing i dont want to go too cheap on. just my opinion.
 
For someone working for a profit on a car with unknown history, a PTG is a true must-have.

Great testimony Evan!
 
oldmodman said:
I have the now discontinued Harbor Freight meter and even with it's limitations it has been an ass saver on some of the cars I have offered to do for friends.

Last year a neighbor asked if I could "freshen up" the paint on a last gen Camaro he was selling. I'm sure glad that I had a meter. The paint on all the top surfaces had already been polished to death. All I was willing to do was clay, and AIO those surfaces. It was the interior where I felt I could make the biggest impression.

The work must have helped. The first person to look at it, bought it.
Click to expand...


I have the same gauge. Well worth the money I paid for it.
 
Absolutelly! I have had a few cars with paint in the 75-100 micron range so far. Pretty scary to see paint that thin. One of them was covered in deep scratches, I would almost certainly went through the clear coat if I had attempted to wet sand those scratches out like the owner wanted.

A paint thickness gauge is a must have if you do any type of paint correction.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top