Single stage paint minimum thickness

Hi everyone,

Quick question -

When using a paint thickness gauge, what do you consider the minimum acceptable reading for single stage paint that would allow you to polish it?

 

minimum ive ever risked was at 56 on single stage and that was dangerously low what do you have for a reading

 

Thanks fish. I haven't measured it yet. I am scheduled to work on a car this week that has been detailed many times but hasn't been done in several years. The owner is concerned with how much paint is left (he has no idea). I told him i'd bring a gauge to check it out, but i have no idea what my limit thickness would be.

 

A paint thickness reading of 4 Mil < ( 100 µ (Microns) is reasonably safe for polishing. 3 – 3.5 Mil ( 80-90 µ) I wouldn't use anything stronger than > 2000 grit polish, 2.75 – 3.0 Mil (70-80 µ) > 2500 grit polish and under 2.75 Mil (70 µ) use a glaze. The readings tend to vary from panel to panel and are thinner towards the panel edges.

If you have reservations about the amount of paint surface removed or the amount of paint coating remaining the use of a paint thickness gauge (PTG) is arbitrary

These numbers are offered as a guide only, as there are too many variables to provide any more than an approximation
.
Note: 1 µ (micron) is 1/1000th of a millimetre or 0.0393700787 Mil or 0.001 of an inch

• 200µ + can be expected on older cars that have been hand painted or a re-painted vehicle
• 100 – 200µ 4 – 8 mil - normal paint thickness
• 80 – 100 µ - 3 – 4 mils, thin paint
• 80 µ < - less than 3 mil, very thin paint