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:

Roof
Sunroof The sunroof only operates when the ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/ ACCESSORY, or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. To open or close the sunroof, press the open or close sunroof switch (1) to the first detent position. To express open or close the sunroof with the safety f ...

Global Positioning System (GPS)
The position of the vehicle is determined by using satellite signals, various vehicle signals, and map data. At times, other interference such as the satellite condition, road configuration, condition of the vehicle, and/or other circumstances can affect the navigation system's ability to ...

Inflatable Restraint Module Handling and Scrapping
Special Tools EL-38826 SIR Deployment Harness EL-39401-B SIR Deployment Fixture For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools. Live and Undeployed Inflator Module Warning: Refer to SIR Inflator Module Handling and Storage Warning in the Preface section. Take special care when h ...