wildebus
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Ideally you need a paint thickness gauge to help you determine if - and where - it is safe to polish. The good ones that tell you about different layers are very pricey and not a hobby tool. You can get more simple and cheaper ones for around £50 or so. Check out this link - https://amzn.to/4p2yAZc
(PS. The reason why you might want to know about different levels is for multicoat finishes. Nowadays you have primer, then the colour coat and then the clesar coat and you don't want to go past the clear coat when polishing. With a simple thickness gauge you have to made assumptions about the layers which could be dangerous!).
This is the one I have. It is a simple basic one and just tells you the distance between the top surface and the metal (that 115 - in micrometres - reading shown is the thickness of a piece of paper I put over a ruler ). Actually, as well as handy to check before polishing, a useful tool when purchasing a vehicle ... You can use one to check if a panel has been resprayed if you suspect a repair. paint re-work will be significantly thicker than original paint, which is laid incredibly thinly (and if you check places like the underside of a bonnet, dramatically so)
(PS. The reason why you might want to know about different levels is for multicoat finishes. Nowadays you have primer, then the colour coat and then the clesar coat and you don't want to go past the clear coat when polishing. With a simple thickness gauge you have to made assumptions about the layers which could be dangerous!).
This is the one I have. It is a simple basic one and just tells you the distance between the top surface and the metal (that 115 - in micrometres - reading shown is the thickness of a piece of paper I put over a ruler ). Actually, as well as handy to check before polishing, a useful tool when purchasing a vehicle ... You can use one to check if a panel has been resprayed if you suspect a repair. paint re-work will be significantly thicker than original paint, which is laid incredibly thinly (and if you check places like the underside of a bonnet, dramatically so)
