How To Use A Paint Depth Gauge And Why You Shouldn't Trust Them

Paint depth gauges can be a really helpful tool when used properly. They aren't always perfectly accurate though so you should never trust them blindly.

Using these gauges as a piece of the puzzle while you're investigating a car's history will keep you from breaking through the clear coat. It's important to pay attention to all the warning signs of thin paint rather than just going by the reading on the gauge. Even the expensive ones have been proven to be inaccurate at times and all it takes is one false reading to send you to the body shop.

Listen to what they say, but don't ignore everything else in the puzzle!

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#canadiangearhead #detailing #paintdepthgauge

[jessehndz]

One reason you might be getting large disparities in measurements only inches apart on the panel is that it has been repaired before. The build up of bondo, primer, paint and clear would add large amounts of depth not visible to the naked eye.

[gregsullivan]

Thanks. Btw, another little example of a depth reading gone wrong (IMHO) is Apex Detail declaring that a coating had added a 0.4mil layer. At that thickness, an entire 30mL bottle would be required just to do a typical hood, with no wipe-off at all. I'm waiting for their response.

[ac]

That one you have you reccomend. What you think about the nex blue one or the eray one

[RuciosDubstepMixs]

Can't they be reset to 0 or rebalanced for a more accurate reading?

[timothybracken]

great video, i spit out my coffee when you said my spidey senses were tingling LMFAO. Great points, totally agree. I wouldn't take these measurements to the bank either.

[millertime]

Years ago I had a 1986, I miss it. .... So if your paint is that thin how do you detail it?

[out_on_bail]

it was somehow to do with the sanding making the surface reading wrong - if the surface is glossy all around it should give a semi accurate reading

[sammylin]

This hot and beautiful MR2. Great video. :)

[AnthonyClarke-opds]

bruh... paint swelling is a thing. the reason you'll get a higher reading directly after polishing is because of heat swelling the paint, more common with a rotary.

[jjjjjjjjjjjhjjjjjhjj]

Rear fender on the bike was sanded at the factory and buffed with a rotary leaving the holograms and reason for the thinner clear

[juannorena]

amigo que pena molestarlo lo que pasa es que compre uno igual por aliexpress y llego en chino podria montar un video de como cambiar el idioma de muestra del suyo ...

[AnishKaranPhotography]

The weird readings may be because of body filler. The gauges are fairly accurate.

[gordonb]

you dont trust these "cheap paint depth gauges" and you said its a few $100, , that's cheap? maybe if your a 100% professional detailer or painter...