Paint thickness gauge

[Setec Astronomy]

How many manufacturers use the E coat?

Everybody E-coats, when you see those pictures of the car body on a rail going through those big dip tanks, that's the E-coat line. As builthatch said, the car and the paint are charged so the paint is electrically attracted to the metal, that makes sure it gets in all the nooks and crannies and weld areas, etc.

EDIT: Back to your original question, it's all a crap shoot, the PTG just gives you another data point to hang your hat on (or hang yourself with), as Rsurfer pointed out.

[Niblick]

As a rule of thumb anything under about 100um is starting to get down to the wire, but as the guys have already said, it varies from vehicle to vehicle. I've taken 3 stage paint down to 87um on my own vehicle in the past without going through. But it's damn close to CC failure at that point, and not something i would chance on a clients car.
the Pelt thickness gauge that i posted a link to recently claims to measure up to five layers, though presumably they are counting the panel itself in there as well. Even so, it should cope with cars with an E-coat as well as the three 'normal' coats.
The thing i like about a PGT is that you know if its too thin to risk sanding or machining before you start. i just don't work without one now, its not worth it. I've turned several jobs down on the back of measurements I've taken, and i sleep well lol

[allenk4]

Hi Kyle,

Thank you for your inquiry.

I would be happy to give you some more information about the PELT gauge. The cost of a PELT gauge with onsite training and calibrations is about $50,000.

Before I can formally quote you I need to know more information about your application.

Can you tell me a little more about your company and what your measurement needs are?

Best Regards,

Renée G. Basset



Download pictures

The leading multi-layer coating thickness gauges

[Rsurfer]

Hi Kyle,

Thank you for your inquiry.

I would be happy to give you some more information about the PELT gauge. The cost of a PELT gauge with onsite training and calibrations is about $50,000.

Before I can formally quote you I need to know more information about your application.

Can you tell me a little more about your company and what your measurement needs are?

Best Regards,

Renée G. Basset



Download pictures

The leading multi-layer coating thickness gauges

I'll take two, one for back-up.

[Niblick]

well i did say they weren't cheap lol
at least we know the technology exists.

[allenk4]

well i did say they weren't cheap lol
at least we know the technology exists.

It doesn't exist for me

You could repaint a lot if cars for $50k

[Niblick]

you certainly could. never the less, the fact is that there are multi layer paint gauges on the market that will read automotive sheet metal. I've just contacted olympus, as it it looks like they do one too. it'll be interesting to see where it falls in the price bracket between the positector and the Pelt

[builthatch]

hahahahaha wow! 50k!!!! i mean i get it...because for certain industries, that tech is necessary and scientific specialty tools are not cheap by any stretch. but wow, that cost is staggering when you think of the cost for even the most high end Defelsko.

[ViGi]

Name 3/4 best PTG I'm interested in one. Not the cheapest and not most expensives. 300-700$

[builthatch]

Name 3/4 best PTG I'm interested in one. Not the cheapest and not most expensives. 300-700$

Defelsko DFT combo is what i have - it measures on steel and aluminum. can be had for under $600 or so if you can find the right discount code and the site you're using allows 'em to be discounted.

it's not cheap but you have recourse with Defelsko because they are a market leader in the US and the thing comes with real deal calibration documentation. i dunno, i figured i'll have it forever and didn't feel like rolling the dice with some Chinese meter/copy.