Paint Thickness Gauge.... First timer

S

ShawnF350

New member
I picked up a Highline 2nd Gen paint thickness gauge.
The directions say that it's already calibrated.
So I'm guessing you don't want to calibrate it?

BUT..
It comes with two quarter sized metal coins with blue protective film on them and a few plastic shims with mil size on them.

I tested the coins and one is .9 mils and the other is 1.5.

Are these metal coins supposed to be used under the shims to check accuracy.
I obviously need to peel the film off if that's the case.

I want to start using it but want to be sure I'm using it properly.

Any help is appreciated
 
I'd be glad to help answer your questions but... I'm still waiting on Vega to run a PTG giveaway. Sorry!
 
ShawnF350 said:
I picked up a Highline 2nd Gen paint thickness gauge.
The directions say that it's already calibrated.
So I'm guessing you don't want to calibrate it?

BUT..
It comes with two quarter sized metal coins with blue protective film on them and a few plastic shims with mil size on them.

I tested the coins and one is .9 mils and the other is 1.5.

Are these metal coins supposed to be used under the shims to check accuracy.
I obviously need to peel the film off if that's the case.

I want to start using it but want to be sure I'm using it properly.

Any help is appreciated
Click to expand...

Sorry I was late to answer your PM Shawn! I left the office early yesterday.

20115.0 said:
Peel off 1 side of each and put tester on that side should read 0. One alumn ones steel. Nfe and fe
Click to expand...

To add to what 20115.0 said, the HighLine PTG should auto-switch from reading Nfe to FE surfaces. So you should see the Nfe and FE indicator logo automatically switch when you go from one coin to the other on the lower right hand corner of the PTG.

Angus said:
I'd be glad to help answer your questions but... I'm still waiting on Vega to run a PTG giveaway. Sorry!
Click to expand...

Coming "soon*"! ;)

ShawnF350 said:
I got a great price match from Ray.
I already asked him to sell the one he used but PBMG wants to hang onto it.
Click to expand...

This PTG is hard to beat for the price. The insurance of knowing if the paint is too thin is well worth the money.
 
Im just a newb but i take a reading off bottom of hood and compare to body panels for App clear thickness
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20115.0 said:
Im just a newb but i take a reading off bottom of hood and compare to body panels for App clear
Click to expand...
app?
Are you saying they dont clear under the hood so you can determine clear thickness on the hood?
I thought they might use high temp paint under there.
 
Thanks some good stuff to try this weekend.

You usually put the probe directly on the paint without doing harm?
I read in the instruction you could use a shim to protect the probe from damage. I only plan on using it on vehicles though.

edit:
I tested the aluminum and steel coins. Zero on both.
Thanks for your help.
 
What I have noticed on some of the cars I have detailed (mostly VW's) is that although there is no clear under the bonnet, the thickness of whatever paint is there varies a lot... like from 75µ to 10µ.... I suspect the really do get the bare minimum they can on there to reduce costs.... and no real consideration is given to applying a consistent coat there.

I will typically measure inside the door jambs (I have not come across any without clear).... on the last car I did this measured around 70µ - as this area is usually not polished and is almost always thinner than the rest of the panel so it becomes my base measurement.... then I will measure a panel.... say it is 100µ....then to my mind (I may be wrong) there should be another 30µ of clear on the panel.
 
If the car company skimps on clear when painting the door jambs...what makes you think they don't also skimp on the amount of base coat that is applied to the jambs?
 
I would never think a measurement of the underhood is going to be part of an equation for the total thickness of clear on the top of the hood..

Your tool unless its the most expensive DeFelsko, is only going to give you a semi- accurate picture of the total thickness of all the material on the panel - on that spot..

I only use it in Microns, to help me not move that total Microns thickness total even a little bit lower than the reading I get..

Good luck with your new tool !
Dan F
 
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