Do I need to measure paint thickness?

[Garage Troll]

Do I need to measure paint thickness before I use M105 with a burgundy cutting pad on my DA or does this process remove such a small amount of paint that it doesn't need measured?

Thanks in advance,
Andy

[Shawn T.]

Re: Do I need to measure paint thickness?

No need to measure the paint thickness in your case. This is only necessary when wet-sanding or buffing on older paint that may be very thin. Plus, you are using a DA which removes a minimal amount of paint especially when compared to what a rotary and a cutting pad with M105 could do. Try using a polishing pad before using the cutting pad though, especially on your DA. The cutting pad will often leave a hazed finish espexially with a DA so I would try a polishing pad first.

[Garage Troll]

Re: Do I need to measure paint thickness?

Thanks Cooper!

[Megafast13]

Re: Do I need to measure paint thickness?

You don't need to measure paint thickness unless it's a really old, originally painted, or rare car. Also I would try the Yellow Polishing Pad, not the Burgundy Pad for the DA.

[Andrew Wilson]

Re: Do I need to measure paint thickness?

Meguiar's does not recommended using the red pad with the DA, because of the swirl hazy finish it can cause.

[TOGWT]

Re: Do I need to measure paint thickness?

Why Use a PTG?

Using a paint thickness gauge gives a professional detailer credibility and also acts as an insurance against ‘break-though’ of a clear coat, which would entail a re-paint and I suspect a very irate customer. Original paint has a better resale value than a re-painted vehicle, plus they will lose the use of their vehicle for some days. The ideal setup would be a DFT Combo for the metals and a PosiTector 200 B/Adv for the composites

Using a medium abrasive polish and a rotary polisher will remove approximately 0. 1 Mil (3µ ) Range 0.8 – 1.1 Mil (20 – 28 µ) from the paint surface (typically 4 passes at 1500-1800 RPM) but there are many variables such as the abrasive grade of the polish or compound and speed and pressure used that may affect the paint removed) These numbers should be checked with a paint thickness gauge (PTG) There comes a point when you must judge wither removing a scratch will compromise the clear coat and if so you’ll have to ‘live’ with the imperfection.

A paint thickness reading of 4 Mil < ( 100 µ (Microns) is reasonably safe for polishing. 3 – 3.5 Mil ( 80-90 µ) I wouldn't use anything stronger than > 2000 grit polish, 2.75 – 3.0 Mil (70-80 µ) > 2500 grit polish and under 2.75 Mil (70 µ) use a glaze.

If you have reservations about the amount of paint surface removed or the amount of paint coating remaining the use of a paint thickness gauge (PTG) is arbitrary

• 200µ + can be expected on older cars that have been hand painted or a re-painted vehicle
• 100 – 200µ 4 – 8 mil - normal paint thickness
• 80 – 100 µ - 3 – 4 mils, thin paint
• 80 µ < - less than 3 mil, very thin paint

These numbers are offered as a guide only, as there are too many variables to provide any more than an approximation.

Note: 1 µ (micron) is 1/1000th of a millimetre or 0.0393700787 Mil or 0.001 of an inch

[Garage Troll]

Re: Do I need to measure paint thickness?

Meguiar's does not recommended using the red pad with the DA, because of the swirl hazy finish it can cause.

Wow! Really?!? I bought a pack of 6 pads (2 burgundy, 2 yellow polishing and 2 finishing) .

I was going to start with 205 on a polishing pad since my dad's Subaru is in pretty good shape since it's an '09.

Will I ever really need the burgundy pad? What would I use it for? I was under the impression it was to be used with the M105. I'm really I started this post before I started!

[DetailFreak517]

Re: Do I need to measure paint thickness?

Will I ever really need the burgundy pad? What would I use it for? I was under the impression it was to be used with the M105. I'm really I started this post before I started!

The main reason the burgundy cutting pad is not recommended for use with a DA is that the DA doesn't have enough power to create heat and perform the cutting action in the same way that a rotary polisher would.

As for what pad to use with M105, remember that pairing the burgundy pad with M105 is an EXTREMELY aggressive combination. It is acceptable, and actually recommended to start out with a yellow polishing pad when using M105 regardless of polisher type. Only move up to the more aggressive combination if the less aggressive pair aren't getting the job done.

[RaskyR1]

Re: Do I need to measure paint thickness?

Wow! Really?!? I bought a pack of 6 pads (2 burgundy, 2 yellow polishing and 2 finishing) .

I was going to start with 205 on a polishing pad since my dad's Subaru is in pretty good shape since it's an '09.

Will I ever really need the burgundy pad? What would I use it for? I was under the impression it was to be used with the M105. I'm really I started this post before I started!

The W7207 (burgundy) pad when used with a DA will tend to leave micro marring that is hard for many beginners to remove, especially with soft paints. So it's not that is can't be used with a DA, it's just that Meguiars doesn't recommend it.

[Garage Troll]

Re: Do I need to measure paint thickness?

Gotcha! Thanks for the help everyone!

[Garage Troll]

Re: Do I need to measure paint thickness?

Since the case is that I don't need the two burgundy pads if anyone wants to swap them for 2 8207 pads I'd be more than happy to do that. They're 7 inch and unopened. Either that or make me an offer. I'm not looking to make back the full price. There's just no point to having two of them.

[rqk]

Re: Do I need to measure paint thickness?

The burgundy pads can be used with a DA to remove wax by putting a micro fiber bonnet over them. So they (at least having one) may still be of some use to you.

[rqk]

Re: Do I need to measure paint thickness?

Just to clarify what I wrote, after you put the wax on and it dries to a haze, you can use a microfiber bonnet over a burgundy pad to remove the "extra" wax.

I didn't mean to imply it was a way to remove all traces of wax from the car. Duh on my part.

[Garage Troll]

Re: Do I need to measure paint thickness?

Just to clarify what I wrote, after you put the wax on and it dries to a haze, you can use a microfiber bonnet over a burgundy pad to remove the "extra" wax.

I didn't mean to imply it was a way to remove all traces of wax from the car. Duh on my part.

True. Although I tend to prefer removing extra wax with an Ultimate Wipe. Why? I have no idea.