3.5-4 Mils

[Anomander]

My girl just bought a brand new car this week and she wants me to fix the holograms and scratches the dealer caused upon delivery. So, I measured her paint and it's on the thin side; 3.5 here and there and other spots 4-4.3 mils. I've only done a few cars that have had 5-6 mils of paint on them.
My question is, would it be safe to compound this car or should she just live with the defects?

[Pureshine]

If its a brand new car it should be just fine. Are you going to be using a DA?

[hernandez.art13]

Question: are Mils on brand new cars getting lower?

[Anomander]

Yeah, I'll be using a PCXP, V36 &38.
I'm not sure if they're getting lower or not, but she told me she let them buff it before she drove it off the lot.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

You will be fine with those products and a DA. Those CG products are mild are should take care of the issues at hand.

Putting a rotary on thin paint is a different story.

[Anomander]

Thanks for the info and advice. I just can't believe how thin the factory coat is.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

I ave pulled 3.5 mil readings on my BMWs.

I have also seen 2.5 readings on fellow member 530inv's BMW.

[FUNX650]

I just can't believe how thin the factory coat is.

As with most OEM factory paint jobs nowadays:
There are barely enough "mils" to keep the paint on the substrates as it is...
Regretfully (in this case): "Thin Is In"


Bob

[zmcgovern45]

My wife's mazda averaged about 3 mils (75 microns)

You should be just fine with a solid 2 step correction (compound and polish)... just know that it is the care after correction that matters just as much. If the car needs to be compounded every year due to heavy wash induced swirls then that may be an issue... if proper care is taken, and only a light polish is needed every year or two then you will be just fine.

[hernandez.art13]

If I go to a car dealership, do you guys think they'll let me take readings with my PTG?

I could also take pictures and make a small video out of it