Paint Meter/Thickness Gauges!

One thing worth pointing out is that the lower priced paint thickness meters out in the marketplace are primarily for auto auction and used car dealers doing trade-ins and so on. They are just looking to find out if a car has been in a collision, or whether there is paint work done to any of the car panels. Their objective is to be able to value a vehicle correctly in order to determine their profit margins.



If you are in the autobody shop business, you should see what the PPG, Akzo Nobel, Dupont, Sherwin-Williams and all the major company reps work with. It is important to use the right equipment for the right circumstances, because if you just wanted to pound a nail - you could have just used a wrench instead of a hammer.
 
^^^

While I think I understand what you're trying to say,......however. Regardless of what type of meter you use if the meter can give you very good resolution, and accuracy the readings you get will tell you what you need to know.



I've used a 2500$ meter and a 300$ one and guess what I got the same readings, the only difference was that the more expensive told me individual layers of the paint.



I use my gauge as a reference of how much work I've done, and about how much clear coat or single stage paint is there to work with. For example I was asked by a customer to do a full correction. I did some readings and found that some areas were 3.5mils too thin for me to do a full correction in that area, but other areas were 4.5mils which to me was enough to do a full correction.



What were are all trying to figure out is how to determine a baseline on a car that we don't know any thing about. SuperBees idea of using a un-clear coated section of the car and then compare that with a clear coated section, is pretty good.



How this helps, I've rambled too much



Greg
 
Greg Nichols said:
^^^

While I think I understand what you're trying to say,......however. Regardless of what type of meter you use if the meter can give you very good resolution, and accuracy the readings you get will tell you what you need to know.



I've used a 2500$ meter and a 300$ one and guess what I got the same readings, the only difference was that the more expensive told me individual layers of the paint.



I use my gauge as a reference of how much work I've done, and about how much clear coat or single stage paint is there to work with. For example I was asked by a customer to do a full correction. I did some readings and found that some areas were 3.5mils too thin for me to do a full correction in that area, but other areas were 4.5mils which to me was enough to do a full correction.



What were are all trying to figure out is how to determine a baseline on a car that we don't know any thing about. SuperBees idea of using a un-clear coated section of the car and then compare that with a clear coated section, is pretty good.



How this helps, I've rambled too much



Greg
Click to expand...



Pffft. You're a rookie rambler. You're talkin' to the mastah, here. :)



Thanks again for the PTG loan, it was very educational. It's going to be my next investment after an AC unit for the garage.



Now if we can all get together and agree on what a minimum clear coat thickness should be, we'd be set. Yeah, I know we can't get an exact number, but some sort of range would be great.
 
Don't think so, Denzil, the High Line Greg has is really cool. You just have to find a good place on the car to get some baseline readings of the primer/base.



Maybe we should see if we can put together some sort of group buy on it...
 
Hi,



I purchased one of those HighLine Paint Thickness Meter Gauges off eBay and should be testing it out within the next few weeks here. For something this cheap, it should be made in China. I asked the guy to send me some proof where it was made but have not received anything yet. I'll keep you guys updated.



MyCar101
 
MyCars101 said:
Hi,



I purchased one of those HighLine Paint Thickness Meter Gauges off eBay and should be testing it out within the next few weeks here. For something this cheap, it should be made in China. I asked the guy to send me some proof where it was made but have not received anything yet. I'll keep you guys updated.



MyCar101
Click to expand...



Sure hope you're not a troll, because Greg had already kept us all here updated regarding this HighLine Paint Thickness Meter Gauge product.



It is important that you read this thread completely, especially at the top of Page 6 where in Post #61, Greg provided the full details.



Most of us here are aware of the range of prices for PTGs, ranging from $300-$2000 or more. Did you spend any time reading the descriptions on eBay and on HighLineMeter.com ? Because the proof you are asking for is clearly spelt out.



If you have a budget of less than $500 to buy a PTG, it is pretty obvious that you won't be buying a Defelsko or Elcometer. Frankly, virtually ALL the paint and coating thickness gages under $500-$600 are from China.



Trust me, you will learn almost everything you need to know about PTGs through this thread. You've just gotta spend the time to educate yourself.
 
MyCars101 said:
Hi,



I purchased one of those HighLine Paint Thickness Meter Gauges off eBay and should be testing it out within the next few weeks here. For something this cheap, it should be made in China. I asked the guy to send me some proof where it was made but have not received anything yet. I'll keep you guys updated.



MyCar101
Click to expand...



Most of the finest PTG are still designed and constructed in China, the Highline is made by Elcometer. I can tell you I don't care where its really made as long as it is accurate and well constructed.
 
Greg Nichols said:
Most of the finest PTG are still designed and constructed in China, the Highline is made by Elcometer. I can tell you I don't care where its really made as long as it is accurate and well constructed.
Click to expand...



And the one Greg got is both.
 
01bluecls said:
I have found these two as options. Both can read metal AND aluminum. There arent any other guages out there that I could find that could read painted carbon fiber or fiberglass within reasonable pricing. Im trying to spend under 600 bucks. With the amount of high end cars im working with lately, I figured this paint meter is gonna be a good investment!



Here is the two (Tdekany has this one): Kleen Car | professional detailing training | equipment



Here is the other which is less expensive but I know nothing about the accuracy or quality:

FS 488 Paint Meter Main Site-Home Page FS488 Paint Meter



The other is from autoint, but im not considering since I have read the ETG-1 Model only reads from metal.

http://autoint.com/autostore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=131



This is a pretty big investment as far as money! I just dont want to buy a piece of inaccurate trash and throw my money down the drain!



Anyone with expierences with either of these? Do you all think its a worthy investment?



Thanks
Click to expand...



Here is another Paint Meter I found, I heard from people that is is very accurate:

PaintGageâ„¢ FNF Paint Meter Coating Thickness Gauge, Best Automotive Paint Meter, Car Paint Thickness Gage
 
How's everyone doing this weekend?



Spring is approaching and the weather certainly starts to look more favorable for those of us who would like to do some fun car-related activities.



Anyway, as Greg and SuperBee have acknowledged earlier in this 11-page thread on PTGs, the Highline Meter is a very good value for money.



Sadly, it looks like the party may be coming to an end for those of us enjoying the $199 price. Their eBay listing 200320373375 is now showing $225. Nonetheless, still the best price for a budget paint meter from a solid company.



If any of you are looking to buy one, their own website Paint Meter, Paint Gauge, Paint Gage - HighLineMeter.com still shows the price at $199.99



Just a heads-up, Autopia friends. If any of you participates at the DetailingBliss forum as well, please pass along the word to them too. They have a wonderful community of detailers there.
 
Hi

I'm looking to buy a paint meter but the purpose is simply to check to see if a car has had any paint work. So I'm thinking something that the auto auction guys use would be sufficient. What is the final verdict on budget units like the highline or the Paint Gage FNF?
 
dk10438 said:
Hi

I'm looking to buy a paint meter but the purpose is simply to check to see if a car has had any paint work. So I'm thinking something that the auto auction guys use would be sufficient. What is the final verdict on budget units like the highline or the Paint Gage FNF?
Click to expand...



Much like the 12 mile long leather care thread, there doesn't seem to be any consensus. Many people are happy with their Highlines, but a lot of clones (or maybe even the same unit relabled?) have come out since and are below the $100 range. I love mine and can't imagine being without it now, its been great for detailing and used car shopping.
 
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