Digital Paint Thickness Gauges

O

original guvnor

Elite
 Nottinghamshire
I've been looking at a machine polisher for a few months now. My car needs some dealer inflicted swirls removing and a general polish/paint correction this spring so I've ordered the following pack. I thought a DA polisher would be good because there would be less likelihood of damaging the paint and the Menzerna products because the paint on our Zeds is pretty hard.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/meguiars-g220-v2-complete-menzerna-kit/prod_414.html

My question is - does anyone know of a good paint thickness gauge that doesn't cost £200 ? Can you hire them ? I've seen a few on eBay but they seem to only measure to the nearest 10 microns unless I'm getting it wrapped round my neck (perfectly possible !).

Oh and while I'm at it....I'm also on the look out for a good Xenon/LED light/torch so that I can look at the paintwork properly whilst polishing. If anyone has a good recommendation I'd be very grateful :thumbsup:
 
Best thing for spotting swirls is to use a halogen spot light, £10-15 from b and q
I don't have a link or a picture of mine, but have the reflection from my old detailed Ibiza

20080911_0037.jpg


I got my paint thickness gauge from paint detectives, it was about £120.

If you join detailing world they quite often have them for sale
 
+1 for the halogen work light and the paint detective PTG. Although unless the car has been machined before I wouldnt worry as your using a DA. If you really want to check the paint thickness you could ask a local detailer to check the whole car for you before you start, they would probably charge an hours labour.
The paint detective PTG I had would only check paint on metal not plastic, would need to spend more for a more comprehensive PTG.
 
Darren Slone said:
I will ask the guys in our paint lab tomorrow if they have a PTG that I can borrow for a weekend if you like :thumbsup:
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That would be great Darren. Thanks v much ! :thumbsup:

EDIT - if you want to borrow the DA anytime let me know !
 
original guvnor said:
Darren Slone said:
I will ask the guys in our paint lab tomorrow if they have a PTG that I can borrow for a weekend if you like :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

That would be great Darren. Thanks v much ! :thumbsup:

EDIT - if you want to borrow the DA anytime let me know !
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I may well take you up on that Steve cheers! :thumbsup:
 
Fenix or lensor torches along with Brinkmann are all good for spotting defects. Halogens are perfect for one source of light but you will always need a dimmer light to see faint hologramming or deeper markings that are blinded by the brighter light of a halogen. I would not recommend the Menzerna pads as they are to stern and break down easily. Your better option would be Meguiars, lake country or Sonus pads with #205 / #105 or Menzerna polishes. I should imagine that a single stage affir would be all that is needed as the car wasnt detailed to long back was it?
Best to measure the paint more so to be on the safe side and. So many vehicles have random readings and it will also highlight any low points from previous correction work. You can pick up a PD8 equivelant from the bay for around £100 and is perfectly adequate for what you need.
 
Thanks Scott :thumbsup:

I saw the Brinkmann on DW but I couldn't see a supplier. The link provided wasn't showing any product.

Noted on the Menzerna pads. I need some smaller pads anyway for smaller areas, i.e bumpers etc. (probably 3.5"?) so I'll bear that in mind.

The car was detailed in May 2010 but its had a few dealer washes when I've forgotten to specifically tell them not to wash it and I've noticed quite a few swirls. Needs a bit of TLC but hopefully nothing too severe.

For the paint depths you're absolutely right - just wanted to be safe and make sure there wasn't anything on the borderline, particularly if I need to use a medium cutting polish to get the correction.
 
Thonk you would need to check this review. It was made by an detailing appassionate, not a profesional, but could be useful! Can answer on a lot of queations, explained step by step and the guy disn't omit a thing!
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=63859&highlight=bosch
 
Thanks Decio ! I actually read and printed this off yesterday coincedentally. A very useful guide for anyone considering having a go I thought. :thumbsup:
 
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