Paint Thickness Testers

but43r

Hi folks,

I'll be looking to buy a used car within the next month or so, so I'm looking at everything I can do so that I don't end up buying a lemon. While looking for some info I came across Paint Thickness Testers for cars. This seems like an excellent idea for testing repaired panels. It seems that they can't really detect if panel has been painted but are able to detect if there is filler under the paint.

Has anyone ever used one of these? How useful were they? How accurate? Any particular model?
The prices range quite a bit, anywhere from around 12 pounds for a basic one to over 100 pounds.
Does anyone know how good would a basic tool be? Is it worth investing more to get a more accurate reading?

I was looking at this one on Amazon.co.uk
Seems to be very compact and the reviews are pretty good too.

ironclaw

There is a reason a decent one is over 100 pounds. Unless you are going into buying cars as a business I don't see the point in such an investment. A 12.95 unit is going to give you the same information a decent visual inspection will determine. If you are going to buy one, at least buy the very best you can. And a repaired panel, if explainable by the seller, is not always a bad or negative aspect to the car.

but43r

ironclaw wrote: »

There is a reason a decent one is over 100 pounds. Unless you are going into buying cars as a business I don't see the point in such an investment. A 12.95 unit is going to give you the same information a decent visual inspection will determine. If you are going to buy one, at least buy the very best you can. And a repaired panel, if explainable by the seller, is not always a bad or negative aspect to the car.

Have you actually used one or even know anything about these paint thickness testers? More expensive doesn't always mean better. Look at the whole Gold Plated HDMI cables thing, you could either buy one for 50 euro in Harvey Normans or for 3 euro on Amazon, both were equally good.

Repairs nowadays can be fairly good and difficult to identify with a naked eye. A tester like that could help you to identify if a panel was repaired (Maybe, I'm not sure, that's why I'm asking a question )

rebel.ranter

Don't forget that you'll need a different tester for metal panels than you'll need for plastic panels.

but43r

rebel.ranter wrote: »

Don't forget that you'll need a different tester for metal panels than you'll need for plastic panels.

Plastic panels don't really matter as these can easily be replaced. Roof, Rear Quarter Panels etc would be more important (i.e. structural damage).

nd

Mike on wheelerdeelers used a magnet for checking for filler. Seems like it should work.

but43r

nd wrote: »

Mike on wheelerdeelers used a magnet for checking for filler. Seems like it should work.

Not a very reliable test unless someone used a bucket of filler to fix the panel. And I hope he used a cloth or something like that between the magnet and the paint

I'm thinking I'll just order it and try it out. If it's any good than happy days, if not I'll just leave it sitting with other useless gadgets that are gathering dust at home

mickdw

but43r wrote: »

Plastic panels don't really matter as these can easily be replaced. Roof, Rear Quarter Panels etc would be more important (i.e. structural damage).

A good inspection by hand and by eye would tell you alot without the thickness tester.

lifer_sean

I would think that there are worse things than repaired panels ... for example replaced panels !!! If a car has been hit hard, then more panels will have been replaced than repaired.

The only place I would really worry about fillers is on the roof pillars / upper quarter panels.

@OP, you can tell a lot by just looking at whether the bolts holding on the panels have been loosened / tightened since manufacture.

ironclaw

but43r wrote: »

Have you actually used one or even know anything about these paint thickness testers? More expensive doesn't always mean better. Look at the whole Gold Plated HDMI cables thing, you could either buy one for 50 euro in Harvey Normans or for 3 euro on Amazon, both were equally good.

Yes, I have used one. And like anything in life, you buy cheap you buy twice. There is a reason a 'good one' costs as much as it does. You cannot compare a a key chain unit with a 100GBP professional unit. A magnet and a visual test, as said, is cheaper and more effective. If you are that concerned about a filled panel, perhaps ask a paint shop to borrow one. I doubt any of them would actually mind.

Funnily enough about the cabling, I also work in Audio / Visual and cheap cables are an absolute no-no. It doesn't make a difference at the consumer end but when your making off leads on the likes of Dakar or WRC, a single connector for say Neutrik might be €20+ VAT. And you need them.

Just trying to save you 12.95. Thats all.