Comb Coating Thickness Gauge

A simple, effective, and fast tool for measuring the thickness of a wet coating film. A stainless steel comb with teeth of various lengths, each representing a different film thickness.

Why Measure?

For anti-corrosion materials protecting the underbody, the thickness of the protective layer is crucial. If it is insufficient, no underbody product will function correctly and will have a shorter lifespan. Generally, thicker coatings should be applied to exposed areas of the underbody, while thinner layers are used for areas that only come into contact with water. Exposed areas are all points and edges of the underbody where stone impacts from wheels occur or where water flows under high pressure while driving (e.g., axle housing, area behind wheels, leading edges of underbody reinforcements, etc.). We recommend spraying all these areas to a final thickness of at least 700µm of dry film, which in practice means approximately 1500µm of wet film. Other parts of the underbody can have half the layer thickness (under protective plastics, shields, etc.).

Contact Measurement

The tooth with a value of 102µm shows no impression, and the 76µm tooth is impressed, so the measured wet film thickness will be between 76 and 102µm (i.e., about 89µm). For more accurate measurement, we recommend repeating it in several places.

How to Measure:

1. Choose the side with the expected wet film thickness range you want to use
2. Press the comb firmly perpendicularly onto the freshly sprayed surface so that the outer (guide) teeth rest on the substrate.
3. Pull the comb away and note the longest tooth with paint and the next tooth without paint
4. The wet film thickness lies between these two values
5. Clean and repeat in two more areas to obtain average values
6. Thoroughly clean the comb after use (with mineral spirits, alcohol, acetone, SCRUBS)

Technical Parameters:

Material: Stainless steel
Measuring range: 25 - 3000µm