Gloss Meter?

[20ducks]

Anyone have one? Amazon has one (unavailable at the moment) for $99, any opinions?

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[20ducks]

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[DFB5.0]

Not something I have invested in, sorry.

As fastidious as I am, I'm content with letting my eyes measure the gloss I have created.

I think if you intend of getting as scientific as this, it's probably not a bad idea to spend a little more on a quality item, otherwise you could just be reading random numbers.

Perhaps send @Les a message, I know he measures gloss regularly.

Les | 2015+ S550 Mustang Forum (GT, EcoBoost, GT350, GT500, Bullitt, Mach 1) - Mustang6G.com

 

[Les]

When measuring gloss with this meter the number spread is around 4 on average. You don’t get the same exact number as you move the meter around on the paint finish. I take multiple readings and then take the average. (Same thing with a paint depth gauge) A couple things to note. Temperature effects the numbers. If the meter is in a cool garage and you go outside and measure a hot finish the numbers won’t make any sense at all. Also the flatter the surface the gloss numbers are more consistent. I mainly use the meter on my own cars when testing new products. I strip off what’s on the car, apply the new product, let it cure if needed and then measure. I usually do this on the top of my trunk which is fairly flat. I take about 10 readings and take the average number. A good car finish is in the 90s. A really shiny finish is in the low 100’s. You can see the difference between a 90’s finish and a finish in the low 100s without a gloss meter. Generally when I polish a customers car the finish is in the low 80’s when I start and in the low 100’s when I finish. I don’t measure every customers car, just the ones that are well maintained and deserve it.

 

[kilobravo]

Appreciate the useful info, Les, thanks. Been wondering about those gadgets for quite some time but my concern has been accuracy. After your post, it's pretty clear that they are exactly like paint depth readings that vary across the surface.

But, from what you said, as long as you stay in the same temperature environment, (cool) regardless of the actual numbers, they're consistent and can be used when averaging.

But getting the numbers to go up TWENTY PERCENT after polishing is most impressive.

So Deyon, I was utterly surprised to read that you had no interest in one of these widgets. I would have thought that using this sort of empirical data would give you more accurate knowledge of products than the old Mk 8 Eyeball. :-)

 

[DFB5.0]

Appreciate the useful info, Les, thanks. Been wondering about those gadgets for quite some time but my concern has been accuracy. After your post, it's pretty clear that they are exactly like paint depth readings that vary across the surface.

But, from what you said, as long as you stay in the same temperature environment, (cool) regardless of the actual numbers, they're consistent and can be used when averaging.

But getting the numbers to go up TWENTY PERCENT after polishing is most impressive.

So Deyon, I was utterly surprised to read that you had no interest in one of these widgets. I would have thought that using this sort of empirical data would give you more accurate knowledge of products than the old Mk 8 Eyeball. :-)

At $595 AUD for the gloss meter posted by Les, I would rather have $595 worth of products to play with. Or maybe another polisher.

 

[Jackismydog]

For my undestanding, high gloss numbers are a consequence of good preparation and products.

I was just thinking to suggest a Scangrip light like the Sunmatch 4. I bought one as Christmas gift from me to me last year!

I did my GT this week end for the first time using that tool and wooowww ! I found many small defects that I wasn't able to see even if my garage has good lightening. As we know the Mustang is a low profile vehicule so on the sides, this is not easy to find defects. And as a bonus when you do ceramic coatings, there is a special cover for this light to find high spots!

For me the Gloss meter would come after getting good polisher ( Flex, Rupes,..) , good polishing products ( like Carpro, Menzerna, Scholl, Sonax, Jescar,...) and also a good working light( Scangrip products).

 

[kilobravo]

At $595 AUD for the gloss meter..

WHOA! I've seen some pretty expensive models but most were in the hundred bones range, D. Howsomever, I agree, I dang sure wouldn't pay five hundred.

So, @Les, what do you think of the meters in that price range?

 

[DFB5.0]

WHOA! I've seen some pretty expensive models but most were in the hundred bones range, D. Howsomever, I agree, I dang sure wouldn't pay five hundred.

So, @Les, what do you think of the meters in that price range?

Five hundred sounds a lot, then take a look at this one for $5,276.25...............

Get Rhopoint IQ Duo Online | Waxit – Waxit Car Care

 

[Les]

At $595 AUD for the gloss meter posted by Les, I would rather have $595 worth of products to play with.

Wow! Prices are sure different in Australia! My meter cost me $125.00.

 

[Les]

I was just thinking to suggest a Scangrip light like the Sunmatch 4.

I have three Scangrip lights. They are awesome. They should come with a warning though! The warning would be “This light will make you crazy and work a lot longer at perfecting your car finish“ The Scangrip lights show flaws in paint you can’t see with the naked eye! It amplifies every tiny little micro line in the finish. But! When you finish polishing, perfection is the results! It’s been raining here for a week, good time to be polishing my cars with the Scangrip light.

 

[DFB5.0]

Wow! Prices are sure different in Australia! My meter cost me $125.00.

Everything in this country is overinflated in price, and its only gotten worse since the pandemic.

Koch Chemie GSF (1-litre) Pre-Covid - $39.95

3 years later............................

Koch Chemie GSF (1-litre) Now - $53.95

 

[Les]

Koch Chemie GSF (1-litre)

Koch Chemie GSF is $28 here and I’m complaining about everything going up in price here! Little did I know what’s happening elsewhere!!

 

[DFB5.0]

Koch Chemie GSF is $28 here and I’m complaining about everything going up in price here! Little did I know what’s happening elsewhere!!

The Australian Dollar only buys 67 cents of a US dollar, which exaggerates any US vs AU price comparisons.

But what stings us is the shipping to get stuff to Australia. Speaking with a detailing supplier, he can only pass on the cost to the consumer. So it's not just certain vendors getting greedy but a wide-spread issue caused by shipping bottle necks.

 

[kilobravo]

then take a look at this one for $5,276.25

HOLY CHIDT!

SOMEBODY wants REALLY accurate gloss numbers, WOW.

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