Paint thickness measurement tools

[mockingbird812]

<span style="font-size: 14pt">Am interested in your experiences and recommendations with the various (there's a bunch on the market w/ a wide range of prices) measurement tools. Would like to be able to use this with paint over steel (not aluminum, fiberglass, etc.). Also, what determines whether a car has original paint wrt thickness? Is this a certainty? Are there different acceptable values for different makes? What technique do you use to assess a car's total paint originality?

Thanks in advance. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif</span>

[Stefano]

That is a lot of questions. Experience using any tool can be the key factor to properly analyzing the data provided.

The tools themselves do not guarantee the authenticity of original paint.

There are measurements which are known to fall into the orig paint parameters depending on Make/Model/Color/process. Ford enamel will not measure the same as GM lacquer. An original paint Ferrari GTO in Lacquer will not measure the same as a Pontiac GTO of the same era.

One of the main Keys after &quot;thickness&quot; is the paint consistency.

There are tools for other materials, such as fiberglass and Aluminum, but they are much more costly and thus not used as frequently.

[mockingbird812]

Thanks Stefano, good information. Yeah - I aske lots of questions...a side-effect of my profession. I realize that there are some sensitive issues w/ sharing info that could be misused. I would be happy to take responses off line too. Any info that could be shared here I suspect would be interesting to a lot of us who are not in-the-know.

[Lynn]

An original paint Ferrari GTO in Lacquer will not measure the same as a Pontiac GTO of the same era.


Especially if you are using one of the &quot;paint over steel&quot; measurement devices.

[DW31S]

A lot of guys at the auctions use an &quot;Elco-Meter&quot;. I've never had one or really thought I needed one. If I can't detect that a panel has been painted(yes, even in the rain), then it's time for me to retire. I laugh when a rookie tries to use the detector on a resin-type body panel----I just shake my head.

[enio45]

Gezzzzz....never thought we would compare a Ferrari GTO to a Pontiac GTO <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/no.gif

[m22mike]

That is kinda' low Eddie, Ferrari actually used some paint, if you know what I mean...

[Lynn]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: enio45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gezzzzz....never thought we would compare a Ferrari GTO to a Pontiac GTO <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/no.gif </div></div>

There is actually an article in one of the mags back in the day, seems like Car &amp; Driver or Road &amp; Track.

[Lynn]

..................Delicious Red Apple......Seedless Navel Orange
Color...................Red....................Ora nge
Avg. Weight..............5 oz...................5.8 oz.
Sugars..................14.33 gr.................15gr
Dietary fiber............3.3 gr..................3.5 gr
Skin thickness...........1.5 mm .................2-6 mm
% of Daily Vit. C..........8%....................130%
Calories..................72...................... .65
Fat....................... .23 ................. .1

[mockingbird812]

Not helpful Lynn! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif but..... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif

[mockingbird812]

Would love to hear from Steve S.

[Steve Shauger]

Hi Sam, what we have typically seen on original paint GM vehicles is 2-5 mils. Top of the car and easy to reach areas (which are exposed to the elements and polished) tend to be thinner. Measuring the thickness is only one variable. Consistency of coverage, color variance, paint checking and texture are also critical. We also look for blend and tape lines and verify if trim and moldings have been removed which may indicate paint work. A;lso on leaded areas we typically find adhesion issues. A lot of detective work goes into verifying paint.

I used the eastwood magnetic gauge for years with consistent results. I've switched to the Elco but not sure of the model.

[mockingbird812]

Thank you. Great info Steve. That is what I was looking for. Any others with recommendations for a model of gauges?