Paint thickness
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Moreton-in-Marsh
Don't know how thick it started - how thick it is now depends on what's been done to it before you bought it. So buy a guage and let me borrow it 
It is certainly very soft. Many on here know far more than I have only recently learned on the subject, but I do know that some (including me, experimenting on a bit of a Silverstone from the breakers) speak highly of the "Soft Paint" guidance available on the Polishedbliss website and the products that it recommends, when tackling an S with the DA.
Edit:
Blimey, just spotted your lovely 'photos - not exactly untidy as it stands!
It is certainly very soft. Many on here know far more than I have only recently learned on the subject, but I do know that some (including me, experimenting on a bit of a Silverstone from the breakers) speak highly of the "Soft Paint" guidance available on the Polishedbliss website and the products that it recommends, when tackling an S with the DA.
Edit:
Blimey, just spotted your lovely 'photos - not exactly untidy as it stands!
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,164
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From: In the land of pies and pasties
I know, she's in nice condition indeed thank you.
But at night-time, the swirls are evident and for me, a poke in the eye. And also, running my hand along the lower front wings behind the wheels and the bottom of the doors.... urgh! its like covered in road tar and associated build up of traffic film. So a damn good clay-bar, then DA will sort out (6-8 hour job coming up!)... it WILL stand out
But at night-time, the swirls are evident and for me, a poke in the eye. And also, running my hand along the lower front wings behind the wheels and the bottom of the doors.... urgh! its like covered in road tar and associated build up of traffic film. So a damn good clay-bar, then DA will sort out (6-8 hour job coming up!)... it WILL stand out
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: On another planet
Paint thickness will vary between cars; model years will have a little bearing on this, paints have changed slightly over the years
Generally the original factory paint thickness on the S2000 will be around 100- 120 microns
The bonnet will read less because it is aluminuium and does not have the same rustproofing treatment as the steel panels. Some cars will also have had "repairs" at the factory when new, making a reading slightly higher.
Paint gauges are excellent for identifying repaired/ re-painted areas but they won't stop you polishing through.
Unless you are spending thousands they won't identify the thickness of primer/ colour/ lacquer individually but will give a combined reading for all coatings. The thickness of the lacquer is the important part but a gauge will give you a good idea of how thick the lacquer is, probably about 20% of the total reading
Paint Detective is a good gauge on a budget, around £200 ish
HTH.
Generally the original factory paint thickness on the S2000 will be around 100- 120 microns
The bonnet will read less because it is aluminuium and does not have the same rustproofing treatment as the steel panels. Some cars will also have had "repairs" at the factory when new, making a reading slightly higher.
Paint gauges are excellent for identifying repaired/ re-painted areas but they won't stop you polishing through.
Unless you are spending thousands they won't identify the thickness of primer/ colour/ lacquer individually but will give a combined reading for all coatings. The thickness of the lacquer is the important part but a gauge will give you a good idea of how thick the lacquer is, probably about 20% of the total reading
Paint Detective is a good gauge on a budget, around £200 ish
HTH.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,164
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From: In the land of pies and pasties
Cheers Gregsterwiz... also, my colour is Berlina so with this being a solid colour, am I right in thinking this has no clear coat lacquer? It certainly looks like it has no lacquer.
I could risk it and use my DA without a paint gauge, but its not likely to be as hard as my BMW paint which came up lovely in just one pass (using P1 on Sonus pad), and i may strike through to the primer.
I wasn't factoring £200 for a gauge though, that's a bit steep and for pro use. I've seen some for £50 -£60 on ebay, which are digital. I would buy off someone else if they don't need theirs anymore.
I could risk it and use my DA without a paint gauge, but its not likely to be as hard as my BMW paint which came up lovely in just one pass (using P1 on Sonus pad), and i may strike through to the primer.
I wasn't factoring £200 for a gauge though, that's a bit steep and for pro use. I've seen some for £50 -£60 on ebay, which are digital. I would buy off someone else if they don't need theirs anymore.
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From: On another planet
Cheers Gregsterwiz... also, my colour is Berlina so with this being a solid colour, am I right in thinking this has no clear coat lacquer? It certainly looks like it has no lacquer.
I could risk it and use my DA without a paint gauge, but its not likely to be as hard as my BMW paint which came up lovely in just one pass (using P1 on Sonus pad), and i may strike through to the primer.
I wasn't factoring £200 for a gauge though, that's a bit steep and for pro use. I've seen some for £50 -£60 on ebay, which are digital. I would buy off someone else if they don't need theirs anymore.
I could risk it and use my DA without a paint gauge, but its not likely to be as hard as my BMW paint which came up lovely in just one pass (using P1 on Sonus pad), and i may strike through to the primer.
I wasn't factoring £200 for a gauge though, that's a bit steep and for pro use. I've seen some for £50 -£60 on ebay, which are digital. I would buy off someone else if they don't need theirs anymore.
Paint gauges are best served for identifying repairs and re-sprayed areas. It's all a bit academic unless you know the thickness of the lacquer really, although a gauge will enable you to make an informed guess
I'd steer clear of any cheap gauges, you'll probably only ever buy a gauge once and as with most things you usually get what you pay for. The Paint Detective is reasonably accurate for the price.
FWIW measurements are taken in microns which are 1/1000th of a millimetre. If you consider that the total thickness of factory paint (primer, colour and clearcoat combined) is around 100 microns this equates to 1/10th of a millimetre total paint thickness. So, paint is very thin. Not just Honda paint, I mean (nearly) all modern factory car paint.
Don't worry too much about it. DA's are pretty safe. Just start with the least aggressive pad/ compound combination and work your way up if you need to.
Happy polishing
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,164
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From: In the land of pies and pasties
Originally Posted by s2k4tony' timestamp='1316177159' post='20978659
Cheers Gregsterwiz... also, my colour is Berlina so with this being a solid colour, am I right in thinking this has no clear coat lacquer? It certainly looks like it has no lacquer.
I could risk it and use my DA without a paint gauge, but its not likely to be as hard as my BMW paint which came up lovely in just one pass (using P1 on Sonus pad), and i may strike through to the primer.
I wasn't factoring £200 for a gauge though, that's a bit steep and for pro use. I've seen some for £50 -£60 on ebay, which are digital. I would buy off someone else if they don't need theirs anymore.
I could risk it and use my DA without a paint gauge, but its not likely to be as hard as my BMW paint which came up lovely in just one pass (using P1 on Sonus pad), and i may strike through to the primer.
I wasn't factoring £200 for a gauge though, that's a bit steep and for pro use. I've seen some for £50 -£60 on ebay, which are digital. I would buy off someone else if they don't need theirs anymore.
Paint gauges are best served for identifying repairs and re-sprayed areas. It's all a bit academic unless you know the thickness of the lacquer really, although a gauge will enable you to make an informed guess
I'd steer clear of any cheap gauges, you'll probably only ever buy a gauge once and as with most things you usually get what you pay for. The Paint Detective is reasonably accurate for the price.
FWIW measurements are taken in microns which are 1/1000th of a millimetre. If you consider that the total thickness of factory paint (primer, colour and clearcoat combined) is around 100 microns this equates to 1/10th of a millimetre total paint thickness. So, paint is very thin. Not just Honda paint, I mean (nearly) all modern factory car paint.
Don't worry too much about it. DA's are pretty safe. Just start with the least aggressive pad/ compound combination and work your way up if you need to.
Happy polishing