GL-PRO-6-PHASE Prodig-Tech Paint Thickness Gauge

GL-PRO-6 series paint meter with probe on cable

The GL-PRO-6-FAZ paint thickness meter has a function that makes it easy to detect the zinc layer on steel sheets. This is a useful skill especially when looking for a used car. Quite often, an entire body component, such as a fender, is replaced in cars after traffic collisions. If the element is new and will be painted according to the art, it is difficult to verify whether it is a replacement or an original piece based only on paint measurements - gauge readings may indicate that the element is original; factory-made. Counterparts of body parts produced by different companies are often not galvanized. Of course, in order to distinguish such an element, the rest of the car must be of galvanized steel, which will be detected by the meter (FeZn indication). For example, if on one fender you get an indication of zinc, and on the other there will be no such indication - this may mean that the element was replaced.

Basic features of the Prodig-Tech GL-PRO-6-FAZ paint meter:

• measurement on sheet metal (automatic detection): steel, Fe, aluminum, Al;
• automatic substrate detection;
• 0-2000μm measuring range;
• graduation of 1μm for Fe, 5μm for nFe;
• minimum measurement area for nFe 15x15mm, for Fe 5x5mm;
• built-in, resilient probe, terminated with a so-called ball;
• measurement statistics (number, maximum, minimum, average, previous);
• 3 operating modes: continuous measurement, measurement stop (HOLD 1), measurement freeze (HOLD 2);
• possibility of manual setting of measurement mode, Fe or Al;
• measurement memory of 960 items;
• measurement assistant for automotive (graphic + text);
• calibration (using plates and thickness standard);
• sound signaling;
• LED illumination of the measurement site;
• power supply: two AA alkaline batteries (R6);

Prodig-Tech GL-PRO-6-FAZ paint thickness meter:

- performs measurement on steel without additional diamagnetic or paramagnetic metallic layer - then you will get Fe result;

- performs measurement on steel coated with zinc or other diamagnetic or paramagnetic metallic material - then you will get FeZn result;

- in some cases it may happen that corrosion protection containing zinc will not be detected, the zinc must be continuous;

- spray zinc may not be detected when applied to the sheet because it does not have a continuous structure;

- may not detect zinc if the thickness of the paint along with the thickness of the zinc exceeds 300-350µm, in which case the indication will be Fe even though the steel may be galvanized.

Keep in mind that the indication of zinc on steel sheet is indicative. If in doubt whether a car component should be galvanized, it is best to contact the car manufacturer for information.

When measuring on such galvanized steel, which the meter will be able to detect, the display will show FeZn or Fe+Zn. When measuring on non-galvanized steel, the display will show the information.

The GL-PRO-6-FAZ paint thickness meter detects a layer of zinc if it is continuous, such as one made by immersion. A continuous layer of zinc is a properly made coating. Below on the left you will find a microscope photo of a correct zinc layer on steel - our GL-PRO-6-FAZ paint meter will detect just such zinc. On the right, a photo of a discontinuous, lumpy, defective zinc layer - the device will most likely not detect such zinc.

It should be noted that the function of detecting zinc on steel sheet works up to a paint thickness including zinc thickness of about 300-350µm.

GL-PRO-6-FAZ paint meter - this is what you need to remember

The information about galvanized steel was introduced for measurement needs on car bodies and for measurements in other fields, but with the proviso of assuming that the steel under test may be coated with zinc and not with another metallic compound with diamagnetic (e.g., copper, gold) or paramagnetic (e.g., aluminum) properties. In such a case, the varnish meter can also indicate FeZn information (and not, for example, Fe+Al, Fe+Cu). This is because the device detects a diamagnetic or paramagnetic layer applied to the steel sheet. It happens that the paint thickness meter may not indicate FeZn information when measuring on metal sheets covered with an anti-corrosion layer, which contains zinc elements. This is because there are different methods of corrosion protection involving zinc, and in some cases the paint meter may not detect a layer with zinc content. The tester may also fail to detect zinc spray applied to the sheet metal.

Intermittent, uneven or non-uniform layer of zinc - the performance of the GL-PRO-6-FAZ paint meter.

It happens that the car supplier declares that the sheet metal is galvanized and the meter does not detect such a layer of zinc. Our research shows that such an action is the result of a non-uniform structure of zinc (photo above right). According to expert opinion, such a coating is defective and does not perform its role properly. The advantage of the GL-PRO-6-FAZ paint meter is that such a defective coating simply will not be detected.