[ptr277]

Hi guys, my new X6 has paint thickness average 400-600 microns. Is that okay?

[parkstr8]

Wow - such variance by location. :/

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by ptr277

Hi guys, my new X6 has paint thickness average 400-600 microns. Is that okay?

No.

I ain't no expert, but having tried stuff like this over the years here's my experience:

(a.) There's no "right" or good thickness - too much variance
(b.) The gauge is better used as a before/after tool for polishing
(c.) A very very general rule might be that the clear coat is 20-30% of the thickness.

End of the day, the best thing you can do is learn to maintain the car yourself - that'll give you your own experience on what's right or wrong. E.g., RO polishing isn't tough, nor too dangerous if you're careful, plus it also incents you & teaches you how (and where) to care for your car ... once YOU know where every flaw is, the value in things like PPF, ceramic, 2 bucket washes, etc becomes much more clear...

For example, if you always wash in one direction it's much easier to polish out spider webs ... and remembering to do that is always much easier after the first time you forget and have to correct it.

And learning how effective things like a $20 bottle of meguires is, will make you wonder why you should spend more ...

Like I guarantee you a $30 bottle of Turtle Wax's graphene flex wax will be super easy to apply and your car will for sure look better than any friend's $5k ceramic job ... why? They don't know how to maintain their cars (or have the time) and you do.

[ptr277]

The car is new, it wasn't extra painted.

[YuicyYumboYack]

Originally Posted by ptr277

The car is new, it wasn't extra painted.

I don't think that's what GrussGott is saying.

Are you sure the 400 to 600 micron reading is right? I am not an expert, not even close, but that seems thick for a new car.

But regardless, doesn't matter. What matters is GrussGott said. The gauge is better used for understanding paint depth for polishing. No reason to worry about it after taking delivery of a new car.

[mlurker]

It looks like it was painted twice. Can you check other parts as well. Usually it's up to 200-250

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by ptr277

The car is new, it wasn't extra painted.

Exactly - there's no "right" for paint thickness new, old, or otherwise.

I've seen all kinds of numbers ... my old detailer used to keep a log in case he ever had problems, but he abandoned it because the numbers are always all over the place ... you could see 100 and have plenty of clearcoat left or 400 and be about to burn through

Gauges are for before & after you do a polish to get rid of spider webs - you want to measure the "cut" and ensure you're not overcutting; but not for "oh it's 200, then I'm golden!" It can't tell you that.

Nobody (here) can tell you your paint thickness is "ok", and the gauge can't either - if you suspect the vehicle has been repainted then take it up with your dealer and/or bring it to a BMW collision specialist and have them inspect it. The one I use has seen 2 decades of BMW paint jobs and he can tell you how many beers the paint robot guys had before they programmed them.

what motivated you to check it in the first place? Do you have reason to believe your paintwork is faulty?

[jcardea]

you have nothing to worry about at those measurements

[mlurker]

Originally Posted by jcardea

you have nothing to worry about at those measurements

If the car was painted twice (sometimes it happens while in the factory), the second layer eventually will start peeling off. Because it was applied to clear coat layer of the first paint.