Paint Thickness

[charlestek]

I had some posts last year, where it appears I have numerous small splotches of clearcoat failure mostly on the hood, roof and trunk lid of my car, after buying the car used from a private party.

I just bought a paint thickness guage meter and am getting readings from 100-135 micrometers on those parts of my car. I can tell from scratches on the car that the paint is indeed thin. Can someone tell me what a normal factory paint thickness range should be?

Thanks,

Phil

[charlestek]

Well this is cheap paint thickness guage and I tried to calibrate it but the readings don't stay consistent and swing wildly after turning on and off, so I can't depend on my readings.

[charlestek]

Ok,

I figured out how to calibrate it properly.

It does look like my readings are in the 110-130 micro meter range indeed.

[Rsurfer]

Normally 100-135 mics on oem paint should be safe to polish. 90-100 light polishing.

[charlestek]

Yeah, Thank you.

I guess the other question is how much of that paint depth is clear coat. I guess I can try to check the depth on te underside of the hood or something for a basecoar reading if that makes sense.

[FUNX650]

Yeah, Thank you.

I guess the other question is how much of that paint depth is clear coat. I guess I can try to check the depth on te underside of the hood or something for a basecoar reading if that makes sense.

Generally clear-coat films are in the 50-65 micron ( 2.0-2.5 mils). Some as low as 45 microns (1.75 mils).....and they seem to be getting 'thinner, and thinner' from the OEM's.

Rule of thumb: OEM's state removal of more than 12-15 microns (.5 mils) of the clear-coat will void paint warranties.

Bob