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The car paintwork is not only a decorative element for a vehicle, but also a kind of protection that protects the body from corrosion, oxidation, rust and minor damage. Absolutely all vehicles leave the conveyor with a body covering that conforms to standards and norms, however, when buying a used car, it is almost impossible to visually assess the quality of painting and the absence of body defects resulting from an accident. cars, and not always high quality.

TOP of the best thickness gauge car paint.

Предотвратить покупку «металлолома» по цене машины поможет покупателю специальное приспособление, под названием толщиномер, о предназначении, сфере применения и видах которого и поговорим в этой статье. А также расскажем, как выбрать приспособление для пользовательского и профессионального предназначения, критерии, по которым стоит подбирать лучший толщиномер, предоставим к обзору рейтинг предпочтительных товаров на отечественном рынке.Читать далее про рейтинг лучших толщиномеров лакокрасочного покрытия автомобиля-->

What is a thickness gauge, its purpose and scope

The thickness gauge is a special device that allows you to measure the thickness of the coating layer with a certain accuracy. If we talk about automotive thickness gauges, the device allows you to determine the thickness of the paintwork of the vehicle body.

A visual assessment of the vehicle body before purchase does not always give real results, since the vehicles are often subjected to repainting by unscrupulous sellers before being sold. A decent view of the coating in this case does not always indicate the absence of an emergency history for the car. In order to hide serious flaws from the buyer's eyes, the seller can use thick layers of putty and paint, which during the operation of the car will “crawl out”, will result in significant financial costs for the owner. Naturally, to “pick up” the paint on the car, in order to check the quality criteria of the body, will not be allowed by any seller, and the profitability of this procedure is doubtful. In a situation like this, a thickness gauge comes to the rescue, which is able to determine the thickness of the coating layer, if there is a metal base under it, to protect the buyer from purchasing low-quality goods or to help reduce the purchase price.

Thickness gauges are devices that are used not only by potential buyers of used cars, these devices are indispensable for vehicle appraisers in public and private enterprises, repairmen, auto body painters, polishers and insurance agents.

Despite the common purpose of the device - to measure the parameters of the superimposed layer of paint on the car body, the range of these products on the market is quite large, and the products are different not only by price, but also by the principles of operation, technical parameters and functionality. Many consumers have an adequate question before buying, how to choose a thickness gauge with the necessary functionality, based on needs, since the device for home use, one might say, is single, and using the module in a professional aspect, every day, significantly affects the criteria for selecting a product. To make the right choice, decide which thickness gauge to buy, you need to understand the variety of products sold. Consider the types and principles of operation of thickness gauges that determine their choice.

Types and principles of thickness gauges

The thickness of the applied coating on the vehicle is strictly regulated by the automakers, must comply with established norms and standards. A few decades ago, it was quite expensive and difficult to check how accurately the coating parameters were observed, and the procedure was characterized by devastating effects. Specific devices meant taking a “sample” of the coating for analysis, with the result that micro-scratches remained on the machine.

The principle of operation of modern thickness gauges does not entail a destructive effect on the coating of the car; The operation of thickness gauges of various modifications is based on four principles of physics:

• magnetic measurement of the remoteness of ferromagnetic planes;
• electromagnetic concept, which consists in diagnosing the transverse differential of potentials or fixing the criteria of electromagnetic induction;
• eddy current principle based on fixing the voltage of a volume-inductive current, which occurs in a conductor when exposed to an alternating magnetic field
• The ultrasound concept is based on measuring the speed of the reflected ultrasound.

Based on the principles of work, all products for the diagnosis of the thickness of the LPC are divided into five categories: electromagnetic, eddy current, capacitive or combined, ultrasonic and magnetic thickness gauges. At the same time, the latter type is rarely found on sale; it has already been practically discontinued due to the high error of the obtained parameters and low functionality. To decide which thickness gauge is better to buy, let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each type of instrument provided to the buyer in a decent assortment on the modern market.

Electromagnetic devices

Electromagnetic type thickness gauges is a category of blocks of different degrees of complexity. Their operation is based on measuring the magnetic field density between the operational coating and the ferromagnetic base, the role of which is performed by the iron parts of the vehicle body.

A feature of these devices is their relative non-autonomy: to obtain correct results, a thickness gauge requires a vehicle body made of magnetic, metal elements, which close the electrical circuit. The principle of operation of the module consists in the following processes: if the coating thickness on the frame exceeds the norm, the magnetic field between the metal case and the instrument becomes less saturated, which is reflected in the figures.

The advantages of the electromagnetic category of the professionals include the ability to choose the budget version of the product, which with an error of no more than three percent will determine the presence of an unauthorized body paint, which indicates the presence of defects. The drawback of electromagnetic blocks is the impossibility of their operation on machines whose casing is made of non-magnetic alloys. Accordingly, if the question is resolved which thickness gauge to buy for professional use, then electromagnetic types should not be considered, it is impossible to detect tinting on premium-class vehicles with their help, and their use in other fields of activity is also excluded.

Eddy current meters

Eddy-current devices are completely self-contained, since they do not require the magnetic characteristics of the object body to obtain reliable results. The module generates its own unstable magnetic field on the LPC, according to the criteria of which the thickness of the layer is estimated. Devices of this type are great for checking the thickness of the paint layer on a copper or aluminum frame of a car, which is characterized by high current conductivity, however, it has less accuracy on iron parts that have their own magnetic field. When deciding which thickness gauge it is best to buy for domestic use, it must be borne in mind that, compared to electromagnetic, eddy current models are considered preferable, since they are characterized by conditional versatility. For professional use it is better to buy a meter from the following varieties.

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Capacitive Thickness Gauges

Combined or capacitive devices combine the functionality of electromagnetic and eddy current gauges at the same time. These devices operate in a capacitive mode, while the consumer can choose the method that is needed in each particular situation. The cost of most models of the combined category is much higher than the price of thickness gauges of previous modifications, however, there are also budget options with decent functionality in the market assortment. The only drawback of the devices are the limitations of their functionality at high rates of humidity.

Ultrasonic Meters

Ultrasonic devices have a professional purpose, as they work on any type of coating with maximum accuracy. Consumers of absolute versatility are among the advantages of ultrasonic thickness gauges; they can be used to determine the parameters of the coating layer not only on metal surfaces, but also on plastic, fiberglass, rubber and other types of substrate. The only weak point of ultrasonic thickness gauges is their cost, which is not a budget.

Criteria for selecting a thickness gauge

When choosing a thickness gauge, you must first decide for what purposes it is purchased. Naturally, if the intended purpose of the meter is professional operation, then the thickness gauge of ultrasonic type will be the most priority choice. The cost of these devices is quite high, because if the amount equal to the approximate price of a budget car in the secondary market is quite high for a consumer, you can purchase a more affordable model of decent quality from the category of capacitive thickness gauges.

For household use, the choice must be made by the method of elimination, according to the following criteria:

1. Price policy. Magnetic-type devices are the most affordable, however, their quality and accuracy of measurement results rarely meet the needs of the buyer, because such a purchase should be abandoned immediately. Ultrasonic devices are very expensive, which is also not always affordable for the acquirer.
2. Accuracy of the device. In terms of accuracy, if you do not take into account the expensive ultrasound units, the budget consumer should limit his choice to electromagnetic and eddy current models, depending on the intended scope of application, or give preference to a universal device of capacitive modification.
3. Operational flexibility. If the need to measure the thickness of paintwork on a variety of surfaces is foreseen, the most rational choice will be the thickness gauge of the capacitive class, which combines the functionality of an eddy current and electromagnetic form, while having an affordable price for a budget buyer.

Having defined the type of device suitable for individual needs, it is important to consider the following characteristics when selecting a model:

1. The energy intensity of the battery, which directly affects the operating period of the device without additional charge.
2. Modification of the device. The range includes gauges that are actuated by pressing a button or trigger. Kurkov units are characterized by a longer period of operation, however, users note among the minuses some inconvenience of their use in hard to reach places. Button thickness gauges are considered more popular and modern.
3. Display size This parameter has absolutely no effect on the performance of the device, however, it depends on the convenience of the user in reading the results, especially if it is intended to operate the thickness gauge in dim light and at different times of the day. Additionally, it should be taken into account that, the more functional the device, the more information it will display on the display.

Given the above criteria, each consumer, based on their needs, will be able to choose the most suitable option. Next, we will provide a review of the rating of the most popular and sought-after automotive thickness gauges among Russian consumers.

The most popular in Russia thickness gauges

In the TOP-10 thickness gauges to measure the parameters of the paint coating, the best models are included, according to experts and consumers, taking into account the optimal combination of price, quality characteristics and functionality of the devices.

The thickness gauge rating is opened by the ETERI-111 device, with the possibility of determining the thickness of paintwork on black and non-ferrous metals, with an error of no more than ten units, which is characterized by a high level of accuracy. The unit is equipped with a four-inch display with backlight function - it allows you to use it at any time of day and in poor lighting. The meter response is no more than a second, the time of continuous operation is about twenty hours, and the operating temperature range allows it to operate at temperatures from twenty-five minus up to fifty with plus degrees Celsius. The price of the thickness gauge is about eight thousand rubles.

The second ranking line is the model DELTA T-615, which belongs to the category of professional meters used in car services. Of the advantages, users note: compactness and small size, built-in memory and the presence of a USB output that allows you to transfer information to a computer, universality in operation, self-calibration. The cost of tools starts with seven thousand rubles.

ETARI ET-444 is ranked third due to its portability, automated calibration mode, accuracy and speed of measurements. The screen is equipped with a backlight that allows you to operate the device in a variety of lighting. ETARI ET-444 received the status of "Best Thickness Gauge" in terms of price and quality in 2018: the cost of goods is five thousand rubles against the background of universality, reliability and uninterrupted operation.

The Chinese model Richmeters GY-910 confidently entered the TOP-10 best measuring instruments of the LCP layer. The device is characterized by compactness, low level of error on the background of the price of a little more than four thousand. It is used mainly in domestic conditions, to determine the quality of used car paintwork.

The attacksdevice of domestic production occupies the fifth position in the rating, belongs to the category of capacitive devices, is used on a professional scale. The advantages of users include accurate measurements, a long period of smooth operation, the presence of internal memory and versatility of use. The downside is the price, which ranges from twenty-five to forty thousand rubles, which makes the model inaccessible for the budget consumer and irrational purchase for household use.

Тайваньское устройство Shi-115 применяется как для проверки толщины ЛКП транспортных средств, так и в судостроительных и химических сферах промышленности. Цена на Shi-115 в 2018 году составляет четыре тысячи рублей, при этом устройство характеризуется достойной внутренней памятью, которая санкционирует сохранение двухсот пятидесяти пяти замеров, предельной точностью и компактностью. К минусам потребители относят сложности в меню и отсутствие русскоязычной инструкции.

At the seventh position of the rating is the model CEM DT-156 of capacitive type, used in various industries. Her price is seven thousand rubles. The device allows to measure both in single and in continuous mode, characterized by minimal error rates, built-in memory, calculated for three hundred twenty values, convenient and simple interface. Of the minuses, consumers note the need for calibration when changing the base paintwork.

The domestic thickness gauge MEGEON 19220 belongs to the category of ultrasonic modules, confidently among the top ten, thanks to the excellent quality of performance, decent functionality and accuracy of diagnostic data. The disadvantages of experts include the cost of the device, which in 2018 is about thirty thousand rubles.

TEMP UT-1 – это ещё один измеритель отечественного изготовления, заслуживший положительные отзывы многих потребителей и профессионалов. Во многих рейтинговых изданиях модель получила звание «Лучшего толщиномера по функциональности». Характеризуется как надёжный аппарат, работающий безотказно в любых эксплуатационных условиях и на любых поверхностях. Аккумуляторных батарей, которые идут в комплекте, достаточно для года регулярной эксплуатации устройства, что свидетельствует о его экономичности, а интерфейс отличается простотой и удобностью, память позволяет сохранить сто последних замеров. К недостаткам потребители относят довольно высокую стоимость, которая достигает сорока тысяч рублей, необходимость в калибровке при изменении проверяемого материала.

According to statistics, the tenth position of the rating list is the running version of the ultrasonic thickness gauge of budget class Horstek TC 015. The device does not need to be calibrated before measurements, it is characterized by accuracy of results and low price - about two thousand. Among the shortcomings, users point out the impossibility of the device to determine the replaced part and painted from scratch, however, against the background of functional indicators and price policy, this minus is not considered to be critical by consumers.

Let's sum up

The need to determine the quality and thickness of paintwork may arise in different situations: when purchasing a car in the secondary market, painting cars at home or for professional use in auto repair shops or structural organizations. At the present time, it is easy and simple to determine the criteria of the vehicle paintwork cover with the help of a special device called a thickness gauge. This article contains the best models of devices, according to experts, professionals and consumers, from which any person can choose the best option based on their own needs and the planned scope of operation of the meter.