Chevrolet Cruze Repair Manual: Paint Gauges
Paint thickness gauge. measure the total thickness of the vehicle finish. It is important to accurately measure the thickness of the finish on each vehicle as the thickness of the finish will vary on each vehicle. Use a paint gauge before the sanding process in order to accurately measure how much finish there is to remove before, during, and after the sanding process. Paint gauge. range from magnetic pull type to sophisticated electronic types, and are available from a variety of sources. The older magnetic type gauge., at best have a 5 percent accuracy range and are not sensitive enough to detect removal of 0.02 mm 0.5 mil (0.0005 in) clearcoat. The newer type magnetic gauge.
have improved accuracy ranges. Most gauge. are confined to checking either ferrous metal, steel, non-ferrous metal, or aluminum panel.
At this time, there are no viable gauge. for reading film thickness on composite (SCM doors, RIM fenders) panels. The more sophisticated (ETG) electronic paint thickness gauge. digital type gauge. are able to read film thickness on both ferrous and non-ferrous metal panel.
Digital ETG gauge. may have an accuracy range of 1 percent and include thickness standards for recalibration. The following paint thickness gauge. are available. Call 1-800-GM-TOOLS for information:
Paint Thickness Gauges
- 147-5437-ETG Standard model
- 147-5437-ETG-P Standard model with print option
- 147-5437-N-ETG-N Non-ferrous model for aluminum panels
- 147-5437-NP-ETG-NP Non-ferrous model with print option
- 147-54437-SD-ETG Steel and aluminum gauge
Clearcoat Thickness
The clearcoat on the vehicle is typically 0.059-0.078 mm (1.5-2 mils [0.0015-0.0020 in]) thick. The clearcoat contains ultraviolet screeners. Removing more than 0.5 mils (0.019 in) of the clearcoat may result in early paint failure.
Environmental Fallout (Acid Rain)
Caution: Refer to Clearcoat/Ultraviolet Screeners Caution in the
Preface section.
Note: Always refer to the manufacturer's packaged instructions for
the detailed procedures of materials used for ...
Rail Dust Damage Repair
Warning: Refer to Eye Protection Warning in the Preface section.
Note: If rail dust has penetrated into the basecoat, the panel
requires refinishing. Ensure all the rail dust has been removed prior ...
Other materials:
Installation Procedure
Cut the body lock pillar outer panel in corresponding locations to fit
the remaining original panel. The sectioning joint should be
trimmed to allow a gap of one-and-one-half-times the metal thickness at the
sectioning joint.
Create a 50 mm (2 in) backing plate from the unused porti ...
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on briefly when the ignition is turned on, but
the engine is not running, as a check to show the light is working.
The light turns off when the engine is started. If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
If the light stays on, or comes on whil ...
Thread Repair
General purpose thread repair kits are available commercially.
Warning: Refer to Safety Glasses Warning in the Preface section.
Note: Refer to the thread repair kit manufacturer's instructions
regarding the size of the drill and which tap to use.
Always avoid any buildup of chips. Back ou ...
