Defelsko Ferrous and non-Ferrous gauge.

[FTD]

I recently researched buying a Defelsko non ferrous and ferrous combo gauge. I have done and will be doing a lot of carbon fiber, and fiberglass based 1 stage vehicles. OEM paint should be around 120-150 microns when cleared correct? and anything under 100 Microns should be left to a light polishing? I know 1 stage can be around 100-120 depending on the lacquer thickness and age.

I have worked on paint under 90 microns, but very little work was done, not fond of burning through.

So What I am asking is, what is a safe thickness for wet sanding with all the refining steps included?, I, Flattening, and scratch removal. I am fairly new to it, I have done about 10 cars full wet sanding jobs, and haven't had an issue, but since I am buying this gauge I want to be able to read it properly beyond basic knowledge.

Any suggestions?

Tools used:
IR Palm sander
3M 1500-5000 grit foam backed unigrit discs.
3m Perfect-it for sanding mark removal
Meguiars pro series for polishing and swirl removal.
Rupes15ES 5.5" +Flex Rotary 6.5" Hexlogic pads w/White woven wool.

[Setec Astronomy]

You realize that if you purchased a Defelsko PosiTest DFT that it will not read on carbon fiber or fiberglass? The 200 series is what reads on plastic substrates, and it does not read on metal.

[SameGuy]

"Non-ferrous" in PTG descriptions, as in the Chinese ones on the Bay, refers to non-ferrous metals such as aluminum alloys.

[FTD]

"Non-ferrous" in PTG descriptions, as in the Chinese ones on the Bay, refers to non-ferrous metals such as aluminum alloys.


Yes I realize that I cant read Fiber glass or carbon fiber. I forgot to ask about that, I wasn't referencing to carbon fiber as non ferrous material, my apologies.

I haven't purchased it yet. Is there a tool for reading out carbon fiber, and fiberglass substrate vehicles. If so then I will need both tools.

[Setec Astronomy]

Is there a tool for reading out carbon fiber, and fiberglass substrate vehicles.


Defelsko PosiTector 200 Series (Standard), paint meter, thickness gauge, coating gage, coating meter (http://www.autogeek.net/defeksko-positector-200.html)

[allenk4]

YEAH.....another FTD Thread!

[allenk4]

You have wet sanded 10 complete vehicles and do not have a PTG?

If this is true, you have more wet sanding experience than 99% of the Forum Members

Do you have any before and after photos of the wet sanded cars?

Wet Sanding threads are very popular viewing on the Forum

[allenk4]

I haven't purchased it yet. Is there a tool for reading out carbon fiber, and fiberglass substrate vehicles. If so then I will need both tools.
You don't need "both tools"

Some of the more expensive PTG's (>$2,500) read thickness by individual layer and work on all popular system, single-stage, BC/CC, SMC, Carbon Fibre

[FTD]

You have wet sanded 10 complete vehicles and do not have a PTG?

If this is true, you have more wet sanding experience than 99% of the Forum Members

Do you have any before and after photos of the wet sanded cars?

Wet Sanding threads are very popular viewing on the Forum


Incorrect, I worked in a paint shop, and was previously measured by another person I was working with. Just because Ive wet sanded 10 vehicles doesn't make me an expert, thus why I am asking.

I have some pictures yes, does that mean I need to furnish them, no. I am not here to appease your needs. I had a simple question, I am inexperienced, and like some other folks on here, I asked a simple question. Thanks!

Just for you:
http://i.imgur.com/CQYodks.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/T8ssV8h.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gSVSssw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AOazOmT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/S165ChM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qz5afcZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JTPv8lZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/il0bOyT.jpg

1500-3000-5000grit sanding, 11 month old paint, flattening Peel.
http://i.imgur.com/xKjlEg6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7gxjhYa.jpg

[Setec Astronomy]

[/B]
You don't need "both tools"

Some of the more expensive PTG's (>$2,500) read thickness by individual layer and work on all popular system, single-stage, BC/CC, SMC, Carbon Fibre

Which PTG is that? I'm only familiar with the eddy-current gages which work on metal substrates only, and the ultrasonic which work on non-metal only (and will give layer thicknesses). I'm unaware of a single instrument which will do both.

[allenk4]

PosiTector 200 - Ultrasonic coating thickness gage measures coating over concrete, wood, composite and more. Conforms to ASTM D6132 and ISO 2808 and SSPC PA9 (http://www.defelsko.com/p200/positector200.htm)

[Setec Astronomy]

Yeah, that doesn't measure on metal substrates.

EDIT: Oh sorry, it says it does (I don't think it says that here at the AG store). I'm guessing it doesn't give you the "layers" on metal substrates; going back to read.

FURTHER EDIT: Hey, thanks for that Allen, I remember back in the day someone at .org had one of those and it didn't measure on metal, only Corvettes and plastic bumper covers. They are pretty ambivalent about it in the instruction manual, however, says it works on "most" substrates.

[expdetailing]

I have some pictures yes, does that mean I need to furnish them, no. I am not here to appease your needs. I had a simple question, I am inexperienced, and like some other folks on here, I asked a simple question. Thanks!

FTD, allenk4 was genuinely excited to hear of your experience in wet-sanding, and was wondering if you wouldn't mind posting some of your pictures because AG members like this topic. Like he stated, 99% of our forum members have not wet-sanded before and would love to know of your adventures with wet-sanding.
Thanks for posting your pictures for us to enjoy.:dblthumb2:

[FTD]

FTD, allenk4 was genuinely excited to hear of your experience in wet-sanding, and was wondering if you wouldn't mind posting some of your pictures because AG members like this topic. Like he stated, 99% of our forum members have not wet-sanded before and would love to know of your adventures with wet-sanding.
Thanks for posting your pictures for us to enjoy.:dblthumb2:

I'm so used to people on forums being sarcastic and cheeky so I took it that way. Apologies.

[FTD]

SO I am having difficulty finding the difference between the PT200 Normal and the PT200 Advanced. Does one just read on composites and the other reads on everything? I need to know if I am going to spend $2600 on a PTG. Is there one a bit cheaper?

As a rule of thumb with any customers car before I do any kind of work, I would measure the paint on the car. So I will need one that can read plastics and metals, and eventually fiberglass and Carbon fiber substrates. Any less expensive suggestions?