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What is an acceptable paint range for paint thickness testing

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Old Dec 20, 2019 | 11:27 PM
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Default What is an acceptable paint range for paint thickness testing

I’m looking at a car that is out of state. The dealer (not Porsche) states the car’s paint readings range from 4-7 microns (?) and said that would be inline with the original paint from the factory?

What do the experts here think?
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Old Dec 20, 2019 | 11:34 PM
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That seems to be quite a range since I thought the average thickness is 45 mils. Search this forum for more info but I found this one right away: https://rennlist.com/forums/991/1174...s-testing.html
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Old Dec 20, 2019 | 11:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Bob Z.
That seems to be quite a range since I thought the average thickness is 45 mils. Search this forum for more info but I found this one right away: https://rennlist.com/forums/991/1174...s-testing.html
LOL

That link is a link to [wait for it] this thread.
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Old Dec 20, 2019 | 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by ipse dixit
LOL

That link is a link to [wait for it] this thread.
D'OH!!!

Sorry: https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...surements.html, and one for good measures: https://rennlist.com/forums/964-foru...thickness.html
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Old Dec 21, 2019 | 12:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Bob Z.
After reading those post, I’m still uncertain. Those numbers are for previous versions of the 911, but it still might be applicable to the 991. Also some in those post state 7 could be iffy while some say 4/6 or 4-7 micron is the norm. ....
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Old Dec 21, 2019 | 09:46 AM
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You want a PPI from someone other than the selling dealer with paint meter readings. Have them look it over, a good shop will be able to almost immediatly tell if the car has ever been wrecked or loved on. They can inspect bolts paint lines overspray etc. Tell them as part of the PPI you are most interested if it had ever been in an accident or had a respray.


Originally Posted by CayenneBlack
I’m looking at a car that is out of state. The dealer (not Porsche) states the car’s paint readings range from 4-7 microns (?) and said that would be inline with the original paint from the factory?

What do the experts here think?
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Old Dec 21, 2019 | 02:28 PM
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Yes, that's correct. On flat surfaces such as the hood and roof, 3 to 4 is the correct reading. On vertical surfaces such as doors and fenders, it will be 5 to 7. That's pretty much industry norm. If you were to get a value of say 8 or 9 on the hood, that would indicate a re-paint of that area.
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Old Dec 21, 2019 | 08:47 PM
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I would not trust what a dealer says as far as paint meter readings. The dealer I bought my C2S from told me he had metered the car and it was all original. I flew down to the dealer with check in hand and found out the one panel had been repainted. At that point, I decided to just buy it since I was there.

My point is hire either a mobile PPI service, which should have a paint meter, that will probably cost you $100-200. Then get an additional mechanical PPI, or just get a very solid PPI that will probably be $200-300 that will have paint meter readings included. A body shop could probably also do this for you.

On my C2S, the repainted panel metered anywhere from 150-250 microns, whereas the rest of the car was 120 microns.

A factory paint thickness should probably be 80-150 microns. But, when I say 80-150, you probably should not see a panel that is 80, then the next panel is 150. I would say that if one door meters at 120, the other door should be between 110-130. So you are really looking for variance within the car.
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Old Dec 22, 2019 | 12:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Bxstr
I would not trust what a dealer says as far as paint meter readings. The dealer I bought my C2S from told me he had metered the car and it was all original. I flew down to the dealer with check in hand and found out the one panel had been repainted. At that point, I decided to just buy it since I was there.

My point is hire either a mobile PPI service, which should have a paint meter, that will probably cost you $100-200. Then get an additional mechanical PPI, or just get a very solid PPI that will probably be $200-300 that will have paint meter readings included. A body shop could probably also do this for you.

On my C2S, the repainted panel metered anywhere from 150-250 microns, whereas the rest of the car was 120 microns.

A factory paint thickness should probably be 80-150 microns. But, when I say 80-150, you probably should not see a panel that is 80, then the next panel is 150. I would say that if one door meters at 120, the other door should be between 110-130. So you are really looking for variance within the car.
I totally agree with not trusting the dealer and would get a PPI. I’m just trying to avoid wasting money on a PPI if I already know that the paint isn’t within spec. I’m out of town so there are slightly more challenges for finding a shop, logistics, etc.

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Old Dec 22, 2019 | 01:13 AM
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I am an appraiser and specialize in Porsche. I have not seen 7 mil on a new Porsche unless painted.
I also would not trust a dealer telling me he measured the paint unless he did it on video, and even then using a paint meter is fairly easy but can be very deceptive if one wants to. BTW 964s were painted by hand and 991s by machine. so you will get much more consistent (and not 7 mils) on a 991.
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Old Dec 24, 2019 | 12:10 PM
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Thanks for the answer. I will pass on that one.
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Old Dec 24, 2019 | 07:14 PM
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Does clear bra affect the reading? And if it does, how much?

Thanks -
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Old Dec 24, 2019 | 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by shammerman
Does clear bra affect the reading? And if it does, how much?

Thanks -
Yes, clear bra does affect the reading. Figure 6-9mills additional material. XPEL for instance is 8.5mills thick, Suntek is 8mills thick, so a normal reading on a car would be in the 12 range if it had clear film on it.
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Old Dec 26, 2019 | 12:33 PM
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I got a reply today from the dealer.

They say that if it has been painted then it would be 10 mils or higher. They state that the rear quarter panels are painted with the frame from the factory as one paint process and that those areas all measure 6.5-7mils. The 4-5 mils is one the front doors, front quarter panels and hood as they are painted in a separate paint process.

Any expert opinions?


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Old Jan 8, 2020 | 05:53 PM
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I inquired about another 911 from a different dealership. This time it was a Porsche dealership and on this other car, the paint readings are from 4.5-6.5. According to him, this is in normal range.

Could it be coincidence that this measures essentially the same as the other car I looked at or does the 991.2 really vary in that range?
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