Paint Thickness Gauge: What the Numbers Mean for Your Car

Understanding Paint Thickness Measurements

Paint thickness gauges reveal critical information about your vehicle's paint condition. Here's what the numbers mean.

What the Gauge Measures

Total paint system:

• Primer layers
• Base coat (color)
• Clear coat (protection)
• Any additional coatings

Standard measurement: Microns (μm) or mils

Conversion: 1 mil = 25.4 microns

Typical Factory Paint Thickness

What the Numbers Mean

Very thin (< 80 microns):

• Limited correction possible
• May be previously corrected
• Extra caution required
• Consider PPF over coating

Normal (80-150 microns):

• Typical factory paint
• Safe for standard correction
• Good ceramic coating candidate
• Multiple corrections possible

Thick (150-200 microns):

• May indicate respray
• Could be quality repaint
• Check for consistency
• More correction room available

Very thick (> 200 microns):

• Definitely repainted
• Check for quality issues
• May hide previous damage
• Investigate further

Why Measurements Matter

Before paint correction:

• Determines how much material can be removed
• Prevents clear coat burn-through
• Identifies repainted panels
• Guides correction approach

Before ceramic coating:

• Ensures sufficient clear coat remains
• Identifies potential problem areas
• Documents pre-treatment condition
• Sets appropriate expectations

Reading Variations

Normal variation: ±10-15 microns between panels Concerning variation: 30+ microns difference Red flag: One panel significantly thicker (likely repainted)

The Clear Coat Layer

Of total thickness:

• About 35-50% is typically clear coat
• On 100-micron car: ~40-50 microns clear
• Heavy correction may remove 3-5 microns
• Limited correction capacity

Safe removal limits:

• Light polish: 1-2 microns
• Single-stage correction: 2-3 microns
• Multi-stage: 3-5 microns
• Wet sanding: 5-10+ microns

What We Do With This Information

Our pre-treatment process:

1. Measure multiple spots per panel
2. Record baseline readings
3. Identify any concerns
4. Adjust correction plan accordingly
5. Discuss findings with owner

When we find issues:

• Thin paint = lighter correction
• Repaint discovery = customer discussion
• Variable readings = extra caution

Can You Trust Gauge Readings?

Accuracy depends on:

• Gauge quality (we use professional-grade)
• Proper calibration
• Correct surface (steel vs aluminum)
• Multiple readings averaged

📞 Want your paint assessed? Schedule a consultation