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Learn how to properly use a wet film thickness gauge (wet mil gauge) to verify coating thickness during application. This training covers coating inspection techniques, paint inspection procedures, and coating quality control best practices used in commercial painting, industrial coatings, and protective coatings projects. Proper coating thickness measurement is critical for coating performance, durability, and compliance with project specifications. This video demonstrates field-proven methods used by Element PCC crews to ensure quality coating applications.
How do you use a wet film thickness gauge? You can see the numbers on the wet film thickness gauge. These measurements indicate how much coating material has been applied to the substrate. Once the material has been applied, start with the lowest reading on the gauge. You can see there is paint on each reading level. Continue moving up the gauge scale until you find the point where coating material is no longer present. You can see there is still material at 18, 20, 22, and 24 mils, but there is no material at 26 mils. This indicates that we have approximately 25 mils wet film thickness on the substrate. When using a wet film thickness gauge, it is important to have a rag and the appropriate thinner available for cleaning. In this example, we are using a water-based urethane alkyd coating. Simply wipe the gauge clean after use, and it is ready for the next measurement.