Any possibility of a GB on a paint thickness tool?

I've got most of the tools for detailing I really want with one exception...

A paint thickness reader/tool.

They're just too damned expensive for me to justifiy. Basically I only do my cars, and friends /family cars, and they're all in decent shape. I'd just like one to have and to be extra careful.

Are there any inexpensive (not cheap) ones available? What about a group buy for one, maybe through <cough>Phil<cough>.

I haven't done a ton of research yet, but would be interested if others are in the same boat as me.

Thoughts?

 

If we can get a good deal through some sort of group buy, I would buy one. Like you this is the one detailing tool I am without

 

Well if your looking for a good, cheap and reliable gauge for just metal parts you can't beat the Pro Gauge II:





I've compared this gauge with my PosiTector 6000 and the readins are quite acurate, now the Pro Guage II is not fancy or has a bunch of bells and wisltles :bla: but you know what it gets the job done and it's quite cheap, I think it only cost me about $75 (I think).

Well I got to of the Pro Gauges and to be honest it works just fine, oh yea here are some videos as to how it works too:


This is how it's used on Vertical Panels


This is on Horizontal Panels

Hope this helps but keep in mind this gauge only works on steel body parts.

 

What do you do for composite and plastic Nica? Not sure what else there is?

I just watched the videos, that thing looks like its kind of a pain?

 

Well that's why I steped up to PosiTector 6000 and PosiTector 200. The 6000 gauge will do Farous and Non-Farous panels, the 200 will do plastic, fiberglass so on and so on..so with both combos I can take readings on any vehicle that comes my way :thumb:

Now they are both wicked gauges but not cheap at all :shakehead: but I like having them because there is no guessing and most of all now I can wetsand all I want and know exactly how much I've removed and how much I'm leaving behind :thumb:

 

PosiTector 200- Nica, how much and where?

 

If you have the cash now, Phil's Holiday Sale is still going on. I'm not sure if it applies to the the paint gauge, but if it does its about 125 off. It cost 695 and with an 18% discount it is 570 plus ship. :thumb: If it works.

 

:nod: yup a bit of a pain but it gets the job done...man for the price it's not bad at all, but that's just my :2cents:

How much, well there are two kinds regular for about $2,000.00 and the advanced about $2,700.00. As to where to get it check this place out that's where I got mine

Measures coating thickness such as lacquer, paint and powder on wood; Epoxy and urethane on concrete and more.

The DFT is a great deal if you ask me :nod:

 

I just ordered one of the Pro Gauge II to hold me over till I can afford a DFT.

 

You'll enjoy the Pro Gauge II, just remember that it's only good on metal...but to be honest the accuracy is quite good..not bad for the price if you ask me :thumb:

I'd be very curious to hear your thoughts on it when you get it.

 

Hmmm... The Pro Gauge 2 seems nice, but I guess I was thinking something a bit nicer. I don't really need non-ferris reading ability, but I think I'd like something more than a snap gauge... Not sure what I'm looking for other than something nicer than than that one, and less expensive than tall 500's.

 

Hmm...:shead:...can't say I've found anything in the middle reffer_bo, I'm sure there is something out there but so far I went from the really cheap extreme to the really expensive extreme, well I shouldn't say that there are more expensive gauges then the ones I got, more acurate, better readings and so on but those cost well in the $10,000.00 range. The DFT in my mind is the inbetween... well kinda...if you find anything out, please share with us :thumb:

 

Damn.

Like I said, I havn't done much research, but your comment discourages me in regards to my goal... a nice digital ferris only for 150 - 200 USD.

Maybe we've found a new market niche for someone to develop a product!

 

Oh don't mean to discurage you at all reefer_bob, not at all just sharing what I've found, I'm sure there is a gauge in that price range. There has to be it's just matter of finding it that's all. Hope you find it and if I find anything within that price range I'll let you know :hippie:

 

No worries sir. As I said, I haven't done all my research. There may be something out there... just haven't found it.

My goal was to start this thread to get a nice expensive thickness reader for cheap!

 

wow that progauge 2 is quite impressive...and for less than 100$ i might be interested.

I havent done much research on a PTG meter...but would this assist on how to tell if a car/panel has been repainted.

I do correction with PC (soon to be metabo) so i kinda want to have my arsenal ready to go...however other than looking at the panel itself, would such a tool tell me" Hey this panel isn't as thick as the panel next to it, it looks like its been repainted...so be careful working on this panel"

thanks for the input!

 

Well the gauge it's self will not tell you if a panel has been repainted or not but you can tell by the readings you get when using it. For example, wile taking readins on a vehicle you get readings averaging say 120microns and you get to a panel that is giving you readings in say 250microns well that would tell you that perhaps the vehicle has been repainted..now if it's just one reading it could be just a false reading but if you do a few spot on the entire panel and you consistantly get readings in the 250 to 300 range that would tell you that the panel has been repainted. Well at least that's what I've been told and found out, hope that helps.

 

Sorry, but what exactly is a non-ferris metal?

 

any metal that does not contain iron is considered non- ferous...

 

How would i know if my body is non-ferris or not. im interested in getting one for my car, but dont want to buy it and find out it wont work on my panels.

I have a toyota if that helps?