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Measuring finish film thickness
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=47920		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  James Orr [ Sun Jun 19, 2016 11:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Measuring finish film thickness
Hi all. I've been googling for a "mill gauge card," and for the life of me, can't find anything.

Does anyone have a link to one of these, or something else I can use to measure finish film thickness?

Thanks [:Y:]
Author:  Bri [ Mon Jun 20, 2016 12:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Measuring finish film thickness
Try local cabinetmakers supply shops.
Author:  Colin North [ Mon Jun 20, 2016 1:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Measuring finish film thickness
Couple choices here, I use the trycomb https://www.gardco.com/pages/filmthickness/wf/nordson.cfm
Searching for "Wet Film Thickness Gauge" on ebay throws up some too.
Author:  Dave Stewart [ Mon Jun 20, 2016 7:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Measuring finish film thickness
When all done, if you used acetate or similar in the soundhole, applied finish will flake off easily & you can mic it.
Author:  Tom West [ Mon Jun 20, 2016 8:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Measuring finish film thickness
Dave Stewart wrote:
When all done, if you used acetate or similar in the soundhole, applied finish will flake off easily & you can mic it.


I also do it this way and suggest this is much more accurate . I may be all wet on the accuracy thing but it works for me.
Tom
Author:  Alex Kleon [ Mon Jun 20, 2016 8:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Measuring finish film thickness
You should be able to find a wet film gauge at any quality paint supply store. If you order your finish, ask for one the next time you place an order.

Alex
Author:  Bri [ Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Measuring finish film thickness
You can have this, shoot me your address and I will throw it in an envelope.
Author:  johnparchem [ Mon Jun 20, 2016 10:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Measuring finish film thickness
The wet mill gauge cards are to set up your spray gun. Spray a test card and test the film thickness before spraying the instrument. I use EM6000 wb lacquer and find it critical to spray the correct thickness 3-4 mils. Too thin and it will not flow out too thick and the product can have a blue cast.

http://www.thefinishingstore.com/wet-mil-gauge/
Author:  Tom West [ Mon Jun 20, 2016 10:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Measuring finish film thickness
johnparchem wrote:
The wet mill gauge cards are to set up your spray gun. Spray a test card and test the film thickness before spraying the instrument. I use EM6000 wb lacquer and find it critical to spray the correct thickness 3-4 mils. Too thin and it will not flow out too thick and the product can have a blue cast.

http://www.thefinishingstore.com/wet-mil-gauge/


John: Thanks for clearing that up for me. Quite obvious I did not understand the use of the wet mil gauge. Makes more sense now.
Tom
Author:  James Orr [ Mon Jun 20, 2016 12:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Measuring finish film thickness
Thanks, guys! John hit he nail on the head. I'm interested in measuring the wet thickness of each coat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Author:  Don Williams [ Mon Jun 20, 2016 3:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Measuring finish film thickness
There is also a way to measure the film thickness when dry - not on a flaked off pert, but it isn't cheap -
Like this one:
https://www.zoro.com/extech-coating-thi ... lsrc=aw.ds
Author:  Tom West [ Mon Jun 20, 2016 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Measuring finish film thickness
Don Williams wrote:
There is also a way to measure the film thickness when dry - not on a flaked off pert, but it isn't cheap -
Like this one:
https://www.zoro.com/extech-coating-thi ... lsrc=aw.ds



Don: I may be wrong(Quite often I am) but I think that is eddy current and is generally used on metal sub-strate.

Tom
Author:  Jim Watts [ Mon Jun 20, 2016 8:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Measuring finish film thickness
I use a micrometer (not a dial caliper) about a 1/2" in from the soundhole prior to spraying and then after every few coats once it's had a chance to dry for a while. I measure in the same spot everytime and I know exctly how much lacquer I've sprayed and what my average dry flim thickness per coat comes out to be.
Author:  Don Williams [ Tue Jun 21, 2016 7:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Measuring finish film thickness
Tom West wrote:

Don: I may be wrong(Quite often I am) but I think that is eddy current and is generally used on metal sub-strate.

Tom


I believe that you're probably right for this one, but there is something out there that is used by a well-known builder that I know that works on a guitar. Might be laser based instead or something else. I'm afraid I was guilty of just posting something too quickly without reading the product description closely enough.
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