Hotcake Wet Film Thickness Gauge
Article No. 14088
Hotcake Wet Film Mil Gauge Red
The "Hotcake" Wet Film Thickness Gauge is a Paint Thickness Gauge that makes measurements on slightly curved or irregular surfaces. The gauge is versatile as it can measure with a relatively small footprint, wet paints on objects of practically any size and shape.
Features
- It is an inexpensive, a precision paint thickness gauge designed for on-the-job measurements of the wet film thickness of applied paints
- Custom Hotcake Gauges available
- The “Hotcake” coating thickness tester can be used to measure the wet film thickness on small as well as large areas of most any size object. Examples:
- Areas measuring only 3/8" x 1/8"
- Inside and outside of pipes & ducts.
- Thin edges & corner areas of I-beams.
- Simple convex and concave shaped objects.
- On flat surfaces
- The “Hotcake” mil gauge is particularly suitable to control film thicknesses of industrial and safety coatings. There are many examples such as: Aboard ships, Aircraft, Structural steel, Auto bodies & parts, Underwater surfaces, Above ground gas tanks, Railway gas tanks, Wood & metal furniture, Highway & airfield marking and Flammable surfaces
Technical Attributes
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- Data
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Metal: Hard aluminum Dimensions: 3" diameter x 1/16" thick Scale: Deep stamped with permanent numbers and letters Finish: Brushed anodized aluminum Range: 0-100 Mil (0-10 Mil range in 1/2 Mil increments)
More Information
Measurement Principle - Paint failures can start anywhere, but most frequently occur in corners and edges where the paint film is either too thin or too thick. When the paint film is too thin, coverage is poor, and loss of hiding and essential protective characteristics are the result. When the paint film is too thick it tends to sag and crack, defacing the film and causing premature paint failure. Overall estimates of film thicknesses are readily made, but are often inaccurate. Such errors can result in waste of time, money, and materials, as the job has to be done over.
However, the wet film thickness can readily be measured with the “HOTCAKE” paint thickness gauge. Such measurements are important to check the rate of paint application, thereby controlling the ultimate film thickness, and assuring a proper paint job. This wet film thickness gauge in all likelihood will pay for itself on just one job. The price of the gauge is nominal.
Standards
ASTM D 4414 Standard Practice For Measurement of Wet Film Thickness of Paints by Notched Gauges
Procedure
- The “Hotcake” paint thickness gauge consists of a circular aluminum disc with spaced calibrated notches, and recessed flat faces below the rim. The hole in the center allows the thumb and index finger to hold the gauge and roll it over easily across the wet paint film to be measured. The outer rim of the disc is completely wetted, while the inner flats, at depths from 1 - 100 mils (.001" - .100") are only wetted according to the coating thickness of the wet paint film.
- Roll the “Hotcake” WFT gauge across the surface in a perpendicular position to wet the numbered faces below the surface of the paint film. After rolling the gauge (or slightly rocking when areas are small) inspect the notched faces. The wet film thickness lies between the highest non-wetted and wetted faces.
- The “Hotcake” wet film thickness gauge should be cleaned immediately after use to avoid drying of the paint. Dried paint is more difficult to remove. Brush repeatedly with a stiff brush (tooth brush) using thinner or water depending on whether the paint is oil or water based.
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