Chevrolet Cruze Repair Manual: Paint Gauges

Chevrolet Cruze Repair Manual / Body repair / Paint and Coatings / 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:

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the scheduled maintenance intervals and replace it at the first oil change after each 80 000 km (50,000 mi) interval. If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the filter at each engine oil change. How ...

Installation Procedure
Clean and prepare the attaching surfaces for welding. Apply one-part windshield urethane adhesive as noted from the original panel. Position the roof panel (1) on the vehicle. Verify the fit of the panel. Clamp the panel into position. Spot weld accor ...

SIR System Description and Operation
SIR System Overview The supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system supplements the protection offered by the occupants Seat Belt System (2). The SIR system may contain several inflator modules located throughout the vehicle, i.e. steering wheel module (1), instrument panel module (1), ...