Can this be right? (paint thickness)

[10degreesbtdc]

I recently purchased a paint thickness gauge (PTG) and out of curiosity and to possibly use in my sales pitch about why customers should have a professional polish their paint rather than a cheapie, quantity oriented "detailer" I checked the thickness of a one dollar bill and a factory paint job. I've heard that paint is about as thick as several bills stacked. According to my readings the average factory paint thickness on my wife's 2002 Ford Explorer is closer to ONE one dollar bill at ~4.5 mils or ~115 um (several readings taken and averaged after gauge was calibrated).

Can this be right? Average factory paint including primer, base color and clear is only as thick as a single dollar bill? If that's not a reason for a nice car's owner to have a professional care for his car I don't know what is!

[SHYNEMAN123]

Re: Can this be right? (paint thickness)

I recently purchased a paint thickness gauge (PTG) and out of curiosity and to possibly use in my sales pitch about why customers should have a professional polish their paint rather than a cheapie, quantity oriented "detailer" I checked the thickness of a one dollar bill and a factory paint job. I've heard that paint is about as thick as several bills stacked. According to my readings the average factory paint thickness on my wife's 2002 Ford Explorer is closer to ONE one dollar bill at ~4.5 mils or ~115 um (several readings taken and averaged after gauge was calibrated).

Can this be right? Average factory paint including primer, base color and clear is only as thick as a single dollar bill? If that's not a reason for a nice car's owner to have a professional care for his car I don't know what is!

OEM finish does run about 5-6 mil with 1.5 -2 being clear

[Superior Shine]

Re: Can this be right? (paint thickness)

OEM finish does run about 5-6 mil with 1.5 -2 being clear

Correct!

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Can this be right? (paint thickness)

So clear coat is half the thickness of a dollar bill. Ok, I'm not using my purple foamed wool as much anymore!

Thanks guys

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Can this be right? (paint thickness)

It looks like your wife's car may have had a full paint correction in the past. At 4.5 mils, your paint is wafer-thin and you will want to be very careful with how you correct the finish in the future. Certainly use nothing harsher than a polishing pad, although try to get away with using a finishing pad if at all possible. Pay attention to your chemicals and try to keep it to M205 or M83/M80

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Can this be right? (paint thickness)

I believe in the Advanced Class they teach that the average factory finish is about the same as a couple pieces of notebook paper...which is probably quite close to a thicker dollar bill.

Scary huh?

[xantonin]

Re: Can this be right? (paint thickness)

^ That explains why it was so easy for me to burn through my clear coat

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: Can this be right? (paint thickness)

Some cars have thin paint from the factory. For example, we had a Volvo at the get together that measured 3 mils in some places. I have a car scheduled next week that consistently measures 4 mils all around and it has never been polished.

The more important thing is to measure the paint before doing any serious correction, during, and after the correction. That will tell you how much has been removed during your process. Also, I find it best to mount a laser pointer on a tripod to make sure that you are measuring the exact same spot.

[evolutionwc3]

Re: Can this be right? (paint thickness)

10degrees- I always take several readings in the door jambs for reference. Most production vehicles have much less clear sprayed on the inconspicuous areas not directly exposed to the elements- doing this will give you a better idea of the amount/ratio of the base/clear you’re working with on the areas that you’re intending to polish.

Good Luck!

[Tom Weed]

Re: Can this be right? (paint thickness)

Some cars have thin paint from the factory. For example, we had a Volvo at the get together that measured 3 mils in some places. I have a car scheduled next week that consistently measures 4 mils all around and it has never been polished.

The more important thing is to measure the paint before doing any serious correction, during, and after the correction. That will tell you how much has been removed during your process. Also, I find it best to mount a laser pointer on a tripod to make sure that you are measuring the exact same spot.

Very good points Chris, one has to be careful when taking measurements as less than an inch one way or another will yield different results. The laser mounted tripod is a good idea.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Can this be right? (paint thickness)

So clear coat is half the thickness of a dollar bill. Ok, I'm not using my purple foamed wool as much anymore!

Thanks guys

Rubbish! I'll buff all day long on 4.5 mils!

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Can this be right? (paint thickness)

NickChapman

Rubbish! I'll buff all day long on 4.5 mils!

Now that's what I wanted to hear. An optimist's fearless roar!