Understanding paint thickness becomes crucial when considering paint correction. Knowing your vehicle's paint depth prevents correction disasters while setting realistic expectations.
Why Paint Thickness Matters
Modern vehicles typically leave factories with 100-180 microns total paint thickness—primer, base coat, and clear coat combined. Paint correction removes clear coat material to eliminate defects, making remaining thickness critical information.
Safe correction requires maintaining minimum clear coat thickness—typically 30-40 microns—preventing strike-through into base coat or primer. Professional detailers measure thickness before and during correction, ensuring safety margins throughout the process.
Measuring Paint Depth
Professional paint thickness gauges provide accurate measurements identifying thin areas requiring careful handling. These measurements reveal previous repairs, bodywork, or excessive correction that reduced paint thickness below safe levels.
Some vehicles leave factories with inconsistent paint thickness. Japanese manufacturers typically apply paint uniformly, while some European manufacturers show significant variation between panels. Professional detailers understand these patterns, adjusting techniques appropriately.
Correction Stages and Material Removal
Light correction removes approximately 1-2 microns of clear coat. Two-stage correction might remove 3-5 microns, while aggressive three-stage processes can remove 5-8+ microns depending on defect severity.
Wet sanding removes substantially more material—potentially 10-20 microns for severe orange peel correction. This aggressive technique demands expert execution and sufficient initial thickness, making it unsuitable for many vehicles.
When Correction Isn't Possible
Vehicles with inadequate remaining paint thickness can't undergo aggressive correction safely. Options include accepting existing condition, applying protection preserving current state, or respraying panels before correction.
Honest professional detailers measure thickness before quoting correction services, explaining limitations rather than promising impossible results. This transparency prevents disappointment and potential paint damage.
Protection After Correction
After removing precious clear coat material through correction, protection becomes imperative. Ceramic coating or PPF prevents future damage requiring additional correction, preserving remaining paint thickness.
Understanding service costs including measurements helps make informed decisions.
Expert paint assessment: endgamedetailing.com.au or 0400 053 885.