How To Measure Car Paint Depth Using a Paint Thickness Gauge?

Why do you need to test the paint depth of your car? How can you choose the right car paint thickness gauge and how do you measure the paint thickness of your vehicle? These are common questions by many regarding paint thickness measurements.

Luckily, we’ll answer all these questions in this article.  We’ll show you what a car paint thickness gauge is, how to use one, and what you need to look for when purchasing a paint meter for yourself or your business.

Let’s begin.

What is a Paint Thickness Gauge?

A paint thickness gauge also called a paint meter is an instrument used to measure the depth of coating on a surface also called dry film thickness.  Paint thickness gauges have found use mostly in the automotive industry and other industries where a protective coating or paint has to be applied to the end product.

Paint meters are made up of 2 parts, the probe/sensor, and a display.  The probe is what is used for measurement.  It is placed on the surface of the car at the point of measurement.  It then sends signals through the coatings and gives a reading which is usually the distance between the body panel and the probe.

Car paint depth measurement is important to both the car buyer and seller for several reasons;

• For the manufacturer, it helps assess the uniformity of the paint applied on a vehicle, ensuring it meets expected standards.
• For a buyer, paint thickness testing makes you aware of any renovation work on the body of the car.
• A vehicle’s paint thickness quality determines its appearance, lifespan, and performance.
• Most importantly, it determines the price of the vehicle, which is important for the seller, buyer, and car insurance companies.

How To Measure Car Paint Depth Using a Paint Thickness Gauge?

Now that you know what a paint thickness gauge is and its importance, here are the steps on how to measure car paint depth using a paint thickness gauge;

• Clean the car to remove any dust or small debris that may be sticking to its surface.  Taking readings on a dusty surface may affect the result.
• Turn on the paint thickness gauge and set it to your preferred measurement units.  We encourage users to use microns as it is more precise.
• Do a quick calibration check using the manufacturer-provided standards.  This is just a step to help eliminate any measurement errors.
• After you confirm that your instrument is working fine, place the sensor vertically onto the point of measurement and give the instruments a few seconds to give stable readings.
• Measure several points on the vehicle and also ensure you measure each panel several times.  Taking several measurements helps you come up with an average reading and will also point out any painting irregularities which may not be visible to the naked eye.

It is important to note that car paint thickness standards vary widely, from one country to the next and from one manufacturer to another.  This is because different manufacturers use different kinds of technology for painting their vehicles.

Also, vehicles with a powder-based undercoat paint tend to give higher readings, so you may also need to find out more information about the types of paint used before making a final decision.

How to Choose a Paint Thickness Gauge?

Careful considerations have to be made when selecting a proper thickness gauge for your work.  You have to be clear on the practicality of your gauge and the level of accuracy which you desire to get.  For example, a personal thickness gauge for measuring car paint jobs is a simple instrument having only the basic features, while a paint thickness gauge for industrial work will be required to have a higher precision as well as to be built strong enough to handle the work.  Here are some basic factors that you should look for when choosing a paint thickness gauge;

The type of material you need to measure.  Different paint gauges have been designed for different kinds of materials.  The material is mainly the body of the component to be measured and it could be magnetic or non-magnetic.

The range and accuracy; no matter the purpose of your paint thickness gauge, the range of measurement and the accuracy have to be high.  This helps you to make proper decisions from the data that you will collect.

Speed.  The speed at which an instrument takes readings is of utmost importance.  Most paint thickness gauges take less than a second to give results.  This helps the technician do more assessments on different parts of the component in a very short time.

Resolution.  Always choose paint meters with high resolution.  This helps to show even the smallest differences in the thickness of coatings in a test material.  The resolution is what will help you point out any discontinuities or defects on the body of the car.

Display.  Get a paint thickness meter that has a sizable and easy-to-read display.  The one that has a backlight feature is more desirable as it allows you to comfortably use it in different kinds of lights.

Portability.  Check on the size and the weight of the instrument.  It should be light enough to move around with for doing multiple scans on a component.  A pocket-size thickness gauge can be more desirable, especially for personal use.

Power requirement.  There are different types of batteries with different capabilities that are used for supplying power to paint thickness gauges.  How long the battery can last during continuous scanning determines how much data you will have at the end of the scanning process.  Choose a paint meter whose battery holds enough power to avoid inconveniences during use.

Last Words

In brief, car paint thickness gauges are useful in checking the paint job quality on cars to help in pricing and insurance matters.  They are important to the car manufacturer, seller, and buyer, and that is why knowing how to choose and use a paint thickness gauge the right way is significant.

Author’s Bio

At NDT-KITS we produce and supply paint thickness gauges that are highly accurate, easy to use, have stable quality, and can be used in an array of applications.  This is thanks to our advanced production equipment, our experience in NDT instrument manufacturing, and our expert engineers.  Trust us to deliver your paint thickness gauge at the most affordable prices.