Paint Thickness Gauge, Cheapo Harbor Freight First Test Results.

[g88]

Re: Paint Thickness Gauge, Cheapo Harbor Freight First Test Results.

Just managed to calibrate and test the gauge just now after received it almost a week

Here's the result i got..

Went to car park look for some car (from the resident of the condo) to get some reading...all car not wash in general...dunno even whether send for detail before or not..(except the green one)

The green one is from my g/f's car ...



Test on hood



I was told this is how the way of finding out the clear coat thickness..

This is drive's door lower portion.

1st , measure the inner part of the door where usually no clear coat
2nd, measure the outer part of the door where finishing with clear coat

Than No.2 minus No.1 that would be the approx. thickness of clear coat..



Is there anything else i need to know ?

Actually MY Million QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE AVERAGE THICKNESS FOR A CLEAR COAT ? How many Mils or Micron ??

The label in my box said Standard Thickness is 4.0+ Mils or 101+ Micron

I won't do wet sanding....instead would wanna try more aggressive polisher like M86

[Renny Doyle]

Re: Paint Thickness Gauge, Cheapo Harbor Freight First Test Results.

Usually the total thickness is 4 mils or greater and that is including the sub layers. The following info is from Ron Ketchum of Auto International.

"1.5 mil is normally acknowledged by the paint manufacturers and their customers,as the minimum amount of clear, and 2 mil is the target for longest life.

Only the very top .5 mil has real density and is where the majority of the all important UV blockers are concentrated."

We have been witnessing that total coverage is not as "standard or even" as it once was. It seems some car builders total coverage is all over the place.

FYI...those that do not know Ron Ketchum, Ron has been in this game many, many years and has called directly on auto manufactures world wide for a great part of his career so he has connections and relationship that are pretty deep rooted and keeps abreast of information such as this.

Hope this helps and great post...love the pics!

[fishbonezken]

Re: Paint Thickness Gauge, Cheapo Harbor Freight First Test Results.

Thanks for sharing such valuable information Renny Doyle !

I have a question, if the top 0.5 mils (12.7 microns) are where all the UV blockers are, does this mean that for original factory paint, it is recommended that we work within this 0.5 mils (12.7 microns) limit?

And assuming a heavy compounding job will take off 3 microns, does this mean a car with factory paint can only sustain approximately 4 heavy compounding work in it's lifetime before the UV blockers are gone and it will have to face the risk of premature clear-coat failure?

sorry if the questions are too long...

[the other pc]

Re: Paint Thickness Gauge, Cheapo Harbor Freight First Test Results.

...As far as I know this meter (and most if not all of the others) are sonic in nature. ....

Sorry to quote a month-old post to be contrary, but it’s the first time I saw it and I couldn’t help myself.

Since you mentioned earlier it reads only on metal it’s safe to assume it’s not ultrasonic.

The most PTG’s for cars use magnetic induction sensing. They’ll only work on ferrous metals like steel. Some gauges work on non-ferrous metals, aluminum, copper, brass and use eddy current sensing. There are also gauges that use both, allowing measurements on all metals.

Ultrasonic gauges are available and will work over metals, fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood, etc so they can be used on a Vette, Lotus, Viper or boat. Unfortunately, ultrasonic gauges cost a lot more than induction or eddy current gauges. You rarely see detailers or body shops using them.


PC.

[V.I.P.E.R]

Re: Paint Thickness Gauge, Cheapo Harbor Freight First Test Results.

This is so true PC almost everyone who does' alot of cars' has or should have a ultrasonic before an induction gauge

[Renny Doyle]

Re: Paint Thickness Gauge, Cheapo Harbor Freight First Test Results.

That is what we do...matter of fact our goal is to never remove more then 0.3 mils from any factory paint. This leaves us wiggle room should there be a bad imperfection later within the paints life.

Now, that is a rule that is broken now and again simply do to the depth/severity of an imperfection. We "educate" our clients on the why's and how's. Some people think you can get any scratch out...you simply need to educate them.

As for compounding and polishing removing that much clear. I perform 3-6 step compounding and polishing steps weekly and if one uses the right product/pad combo, you should be able to accomplish your goal and remove 0.1 or less of the clear! Right now we are using 105 within 2-3 step processes and removing at the 0.1 level or levels that the gauge will not even pick-up.

We did a 3-step this week with 105. Moderate rotational speed, smooth articulated moves on the paint with a "foam" pad. Followed up with a Flex, and a light polish and one more step with the Flex and a finishing product. 0.1 mils were removed in a couple spots but most areas showed no change.

Add in wet sanding and can usually accomplish our perfection goals at the 0.1 - 0.3 level. At times we do go to the 0.4-0.5 level but we try not to!

When you approach customers with tools/information like this, have a gauge in your hand and can show them with a microscope/lighted magnifier the damage first hand, they are usually are blown away and you have a customer for life!


Happy detailing all and have a great weekend,

Thanks for sharing such valuable information Renny Doyle !

I have a question, if the top 0.5 mils (12.7 microns) are where all the UV blockers are, does this mean that for original factory paint, it is recommended that we work within this 0.5 mils (12.7 microns) limit?

And assuming a heavy compounding job will take off 3 microns, does this mean a car with factory paint can only sustain approximately 4 heavy compounding work in it's lifetime before the UV blockers are gone and it will have to face the risk of premature clear-coat failure?

sorry if the questions are too long...

[fishbonezken]

Re: Paint Thickness Gauge, Cheapo Harbor Freight First Test Results.

It put my mind at ease to know that 3-6 steps of compounding and polishing will remove 0.1 mils or less of clear.
Great tip about the lighted magnifier!

Thanks very much for the reply!

That is what we do...matter of fact our goal is to never remove more then 0.3 mils from any factory paint. This leaves us wiggle room should there be a bad imperfection later within the paints life.

Now, that is a rule that is broken now and again simply do to the depth/severity of an imperfection. We "educate" our clients on the why's and how's. Some people think you can get any scratch out...you simply need to educate them.

As for compounding and polishing removing that much clear. I perform 3-6 step compounding and polishing steps weekly and if one uses the right product/pad combo, you should be able to accomplish your goal and remove 0.1 or less of the clear! Right now we are using 105 within 2-3 step processes and removing at the 0.1 level or levels that the gauge will not even pick-up.

We did a 3-step this week with 105. Moderate rotational speed, smooth articulated moves on the paint with a "foam" pad. Followed up with a Flex, and a light polish and one more step with the Flex and a finishing product. 0.1 mils were removed in a couple spots but most areas showed no change.

Add in wet sanding and can usually accomplish our perfection goals at the 0.1 - 0.3 level. At times we do go to the 0.4-0.5 level but we try not to!

When you approach customers with tools/information like this, have a gauge in your hand and can show them with a microscope/lighted magnifier the damage first hand, they are usually are blown away and you have a customer for life!


Happy detailing all and have a great weekend,

[Renny Doyle]

Re: Paint Thickness Gauge, Cheapo Harbor Freight First Test Results.

First...glad the info I provided helps and thanks for the Thank You!

Let me qualify...it took me some time to learn the art of "light touch" detailing. What I mean is the right combo of pad and product along with the correct techniques. That is why I am such a believer in PTG's! These tools can assist you at learning what you are and are not doing to a paint job!

Enjoy...

It put my mind at ease to know that 3-6 steps of compounding and polishing will remove 0.1 mils or less of clear.
Great tip about the lighted magnifier!

Thanks very much for the reply!

[timannnn]

Re: Paint Thickness Gauge, Cheapo Harbor Freight First Test Results.

The gauge is no longer listed on harbor's site. Does anyone have an alternate?

[Erik Mejia]

Re: Paint Thickness Gauge, Cheapo Harbor Freight First Test Results.

I own both the Harbor Freight unit, and this ETG unit:


Haven't tested them against eachother, but I did realize that it's more difficult to get a reading from the HF unit if the paint panel is horizontal.