Check the thickness of the paint on the vehicle is necessary in case of purchase of used cars. This indicator can provide useful information to the future owner, namely: vehicle has been painted, whether it was an accident, how long can serve the body without repair.
How to measure paint thickness
To determine the LCP layer, there are special devices (Thickness), which differ in the principle of action:
- magnetic - used for surfaces, made of non-magnetic materials (plasty, aluminum, stainless Steel);
- Ultrasonic - testing is carried out by fixing the speed of sound waves reflected from the metal surface;
- eddy current - is not possible to determine the thickness of the conductive paints current power generated by the electromagnetic field currents.
The average thickness of the factory of painting layers for popular brands of machines 75-165 micron. Characteristic depends on the specific car brand and may vary slightly depending on the model year.
Thickness gauge value measured from the surface of a spray coating layer to the base body with the filler if present. Compare the result with the indicator color allows the thickness of the plant to draw conclusions on the performed repairs and repainting the car.
The procedure for measuring the LKP
Measurement of paint thickness on the car to be performed in sequence:
- Measurements should begin with one of the main parts of the body – roof.
- Then test paint thickness on the struts.
- Carefully examine the front and back of the body, often suffering as a result of an accident.
- Rate gauge body via threshold.
- Close inspection of the internal parts measurements (salon, trunk, under the hood).
If LCP thickness differs from the standard on 10-40 micron, no worries, such deviations are the norm. If the resulting measurement value is greater factory, then car is repaired using filler and subsequent staining. When the paint layer, conversely, thinner than the norm, probably, local damage occurred, which was removed by polishing.
Knowing the characteristics of the measurement procedure of the car LPC thickness, You can check the integrity of the body and protect yourself from buying low-quality vehicle. In the absence of the gauge or test skills, it is desirable to perform an examination with the help of professionals.
