Cheap paint thickness gauge that isn't worthless?

[Tremelune]

With the amount of buying and selling I do, I think it's time for a paint gauge. My limited research shows two types: one that works with ferrous bodies and one that works with both ferrous and non-ferrous. I suspect limiting to metal cars will be enough for me, if it saves coin. I mostly want to be able to tell if a panel has been repainted or not.

Beyond that, it all seems like a mystery. There are $20 and $200 gauges on Amazon that both receive mixed reviews...Obviously I'd like to spend $20, but I figure I'll buy one for the rest of my life, sooo...

Are you happy with one you can recommend? How do you know how accurate and consistent it is?

[Tremelune]

Y'all are trusting paint on $50k cars to CarFax and the seller's word?

[Trackrash]

Interesting question. Maybe ask in the paint and bodywork forum.

My take is, if you can't tell it's been repainted, does it matter? Unless you desire "original" paint? I guess you are looking at top dollar original cars?

Thin paint may be an issue, I guess. Paint and body guys use a weak magnet to test for bondo.

[dos531]

I have one of the cheap $20 gauges. I don't have anything to compare it to, so I don't know how accurate it is, but it can definitely tell the difference between the panels that have been repainted and those that havent. I wouldnt trust it to let me know how much material is left for sanding, etc though.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

If anyone is looking for supplies for painting and/or prepping their car(s), please take a look at the link below. Let us know if you have any questions.

Paint and Auto-Body Tools

[Tremelune]

Not really the same thing.

[Dan J]

A good one is cheap in the long run

[911h20]

Originally Posted by Tremelune

With the amount of buying and selling I do, I think it's time for a paint gauge. My limited research shows two types: one that works with ferrous bodies and one that works with both ferrous and non-ferrous. I suspect limiting to metal cars will be enough for me, if it saves coin. I mostly want to be able to tell if a panel has been repainted or not.

Beyond that, it all seems like a mystery. There are $20 and $200 gauges on Amazon that both receive mixed reviews...Obviously I'd like to spend $20, but I figure I'll buy one for the rest of my life, sooo...

Are you happy with one you can recommend? How do you know how accurate and consistent it is?

I've used $20 version and it works well. You can index the meter on a known car to calibrate. Then use the meter to check the variation from panel to panel on the car in question. If you are going to spend some big money on a car always get a second pair of eyes for the paint. I've heard some traders to be color sand a mil off the existing paint and recoat another layer for shine to mimick the original thickness.

[jbuggyus1]

You can usually tell if a panel has been painted by looking for a tape edge in the jam ,under the rubber , more or less orange peel than the rest of car or look at it on a cloudy day for color match. If all checks out then must be a darn good job then doesnt really matter. IMO.

[911h20]

Point is the car is only original once, thus the value for "all original"

[Tremelune]

Originally Posted by Dan J

A good one is cheap in the long run

Ya know. This is a good point. How many paint gauges do you buy in a lifetime?