Haha no more swirls :-)

SoCal 370Z · 05-25-2010, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest

At some point when do you worry that the clear coat is gone?
Thats the part i cant wrap my head around.
I have been thinking after the 2 year mark maybe get another clear coat on my car if at all possible.

The best way to determine your paint thickness is to actually measure it. Companies like DeFelsko make gauges that can show an accurate picture of what you have to work with. The hardcore will measure an entire vehicle and have readout of how the vehicle is painted. Remember, that additional paint work might have been done at the dealership because of lot or transport damage. I will try find a good post that shows how the pros do it.

Junkman2008 · 05-26-2010, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

The best way to determine your paint thickness is to actually measure it. Companies like DeFelsko make gauges that can show an accurate picture of what you have to work with. The hardcore will measure an entire vehicle and have readout of how the vehicle is painted. Remember, that additional paint work might have been done at the dealership because of lot or transport damage. I will try find a good post that shows how the pros do it.

Here you go. Because my car is fiberglass, the Positector 300 Advanced is what I have to use. The cool thing about it is it will measure three different items on top of the fiberglass. That means I will know exactly how much base coat AND exactly how much clear coat is on my car, not just one total reading of everything.

Forrest · 05-26-2010, 12:20 AM

$125 dollars for Ultimate Detailing Machine XP by Porter Cable Car Polisher
Porter Cable 7424 XP Dual Action Car Polisher Auto Buffer
Seems pretty affordable to me.

Forrest · 05-26-2010, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

The best way to determine your paint thickness is to actually measure it. Companies like DeFelsko make gauges that can show an accurate picture of what you have to work with. The hardcore will measure an entire vehicle and have readout of how the vehicle is painted. Remember, that additional paint work might have been done at the dealership because of lot or transport damage. I will try find a good post that shows how the pros do it.

any thing you can find will be helpfull

Junkman2008 · 05-26-2010, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest

any thing you can find will be helpfull

I just posted a link above your post.

Forrest · 05-26-2010, 12:40 AM

Thanks.
I also watched your videos with the technique too.

Forrest · 05-26-2010, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman2008

Here you go. Because my car is fiberglass, the Positector 300 Advanced is what I have to use. The cool thing about it is it will measure three different items on top of the fiberglass. That means I will know exactly how much base coat AND exactly how much clear coat is on my car, not just one total reading of everything.

I dont see the 300 advance on there website. Did they replace it with the 200 series?

Junkman2008 · 05-26-2010, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest

I dont see the 300 advance on there website. Did they replace it with the 200 series?

My bad, that was a typo. I meant the 200 B/advanced.

Forrest · 05-26-2010, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman2008

My bad, that was a typo. I meant the 200 B/advanced.

I looked at the prices on that unit. You spent a pretty penny on it?
Thats way out of my spending league.
Saw one place for 1.4k and one place for 2.6k
I rather throw down for stillens super charger.

Junkman2008 · 05-26-2010, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest

I looked at the prices on that unit. You spent a pretty penny on it?
Thats way out of my spending league.
Saw one place for 1.4k and one place for 2.6k
I rather throw down for stillens super charger.

It is not your average paint thickness gauge, nor is it a gauge for the weekend warrior. I touch a lot of Corvettes in my travels across the USA and I need me an ace in the hole so that I don't damage anyone's paint. That is my ace. I know exactly what I'm dealing with in one glance, which is very important if I am doing a advanced repair like wet sanding. Thus for me, you can see why it is a wise investment. In the name of safety, cost is NOT an issue.

Now where the heck did you find one for 1.4K???

Forrest · 05-26-2010, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman2008

It is not your average paint thickness gauge, nor is it a gauge for the weekend warrior. I touch a lot of Corvettes in my travels across the USA and I need me an ace in the hole so that I don't damage anyone's paint. That is my ace. I know exactly what I'm dealing with in one glance, which is very important if I am doing a advanced repair like wet sanding. Thus for me, you can see why it is a wise investment. In the name of safety, cost is NOT an issue.

Now where the heck did you find one for 1.4K???

After doing more searching i dont think i found the price on a advanced model like you have. I think i found like a basic with out any thing.

Junkman2008 · 05-26-2010, 07:27 AM

That's what I thought. Believe me, I searched HIGH AND LOW for a cheaper price. Man, I about passed out when I initially saw how much they cost!

gaveup · 08-20-2010, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman2008

Don't waste your time. Doing this by hand is useless unless the paint on your car is darn near perfect. You also want to use a product that actually works like it says it will. You're not going to fins that at the big name auto stores.

Actually, you are incorrect. That OTC megs Ultimate Compound is pretty good for what it is. Is it 105? No. But it's as close as you're going to get when buying a product OTC.

gaveup · 08-20-2010, 11:50 AM

If you're using a PC and just working on your car, a paint gauge is not needed.

When polishing your car using a PC you are taking VERY VERY VERY little of the clearcoat off (talking microns here). You really only NEED a paint gauge if you are attempting to wetsand or using a rotary with a decently aggressive pad/polish combo.

Junkman2008 · 08-20-2010, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaveup

Actually, you are incorrect. That OTC megs Ultimate Compound is pretty good for what it is. Is it 105? No. But it's as close as you're going to get when buying a product OTC.

You and I are at two different levels of paint correction. If OTC products satisfy you, then great. I on the other hand choose to use a professional grade product and my results reflect that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaveup

If you're using a PC and just working on your car, a paint gauge is not needed.

When polishing your car using a PC you are taking VERY VERY VERY little of the clearcoat off (talking microns here). You really only NEED a paint gauge if you are attempting to wetsand or using a rotary with a decently aggressive pad/polish combo.

Again, you are looking at this from an amateur standpoint. Using a PC on a setting of 5 with 9-14 pounds of pressure in combination with a normal to light cutting polish and pad will not require a paint thickness gauge. Using a PC on a setting of 6 with massive pressure and a yellow pad containing 3M super duty cutting compound is another animal. It totally depends on your setup with the PC as to how dangerous or lenient it will be. Also, it is smart to know exactly how much clear AND paint is on the car before you get wicked aggressive with it. I more than cover these topics in my many video series. You should take a look at them.

05-26-2010, 12:20 AM	#33 (permalink)
Forrest Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: california 707! Posts: 677 Drives: 09 370z Blk 6mt sprt Rep Power: 258	$125 dollars for Ultimate Detailing Machine XP by Porter Cable Car Polisher Porter Cable 7424 XP Dual Action Car Polisher Auto Buffer Seems pretty affordable to me. __________________ my pictures http://www.the370z.com/members/forrest-albums-370z.html

05-26-2010, 12:40 AM	#36 (permalink)
Forrest Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: california 707! Posts: 677 Drives: 09 370z Blk 6mt sprt Rep Power: 258	Thanks. I also watched your videos with the technique too. __________________ my pictures http://www.the370z.com/members/forrest-albums-370z.html

05-26-2010, 07:27 AM	#42 (permalink)
Junkman2008 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,048 Drives: 2001 Corvette Coupe Rep Power: 10259	That's what I thought. Believe me, I searched HIGH AND LOW for a cheaper price. Man, I about passed out when I initially saw how much they cost! __________________ "Marines - Making the other guy die for his country for over 200 years."

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08-20-2010, 11:50 AM	#44 (permalink)
gaveup Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tamarac FL Posts: 324 Drives: 10 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 181	If you're using a PC and just working on your car, a paint gauge is not needed. When polishing your car using a PC you are taking VERY VERY VERY little of the clearcoat off (talking microns here). You really only NEED a paint gauge if you are attempting to wetsand or using a rotary with a decently aggressive pad/polish combo.