Need advice on Paint Thickness for new purchase

CarbonAlpine · 07-15-2024, 12:56 AM

Hi everyone!

I am buying my wife a CPO X7 and I went to see it today. I tested the paint with a paint gauge and it's reading around 8mil all around except the driver's door which is around 4.6mil. I measured a brand new x7 and it measured around 4.6mil all around.

I don't see evidence of paintwork, is there any way the extra thickness is from a detail job/wax? The paint felt very smooth. And I'm also confused why the driver's door is the only panel that is 4.6mil like factory.

Thanks for any help, I have until tomorrow to decide and I'm super confused.

MJBO · 07-15-2024, 03:33 AM

Don't really have any suggestions about the paint readings, but if it were me and I had a niggling feeling like that, I'd walk away.

I'd always be wondering, and that would bug me.

tcphoto · 07-15-2024, 01:41 PM

Do you have the history on the car, dealer or private sale? I just repainted the hood, roof and trunk lid because of clear coat failure so I'm sure the gauge readings would be thicker than the doors and fenders, there's a story behind those readings.

TboneS54 · 07-15-2024, 04:39 PM

my 2022 x7 was only about 4mil all around. I don't think new-ish cars are coming with 8 mils

CarbonAlpine · 07-15-2024, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TboneS54

my 2022 x7 was only about 4mil all around. I don't think new-ish cars are coming with 8 mils

I agree, I tested a new x7 and it was right around 4mil. So I'm going to take everyone's advice and walk. I thought it was normal for a wax or ceramic coating to show higher thickness, but now I'm thinking not. PPF would, but this one doesn't have that

07-15-2024, 12:56 AM	#1
CarbonAlpine Captain 208 Rep 837 Posts Drives: ///M4 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Miami iTrader: (25)	Need advice on Paint Thickness for new purchase Hi everyone! I am buying my wife a CPO X7 and I went to see it today. I tested the paint with a paint gauge and it's reading around 8mil all around except the driver's door which is around 4.6mil. I measured a brand new x7 and it measured around 4.6mil all around. I don't see evidence of paintwork, is there any way the extra thickness is from a detail job/wax? The paint felt very smooth. And I'm also confused why the driver's door is the only panel that is 4.6mil like factory. Thanks for any help, I have until tomorrow to decide and I'm super confused. __________________ F82 M4 AW Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Previous BMW: E36 Reiger Custom Green vert E46 ///M3 Cabonblack vert E46 ///M3 AW vert E63 645ci AW Coupe E92 ///M3 AW E93 ///M3 SG Vert
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07-15-2024, 03:33 AM	#2
MJBO Lieutenant Colonel 3441 Rep 1,761 Posts Drives: 2023 G81 M3 Touring Join Date: May 2012 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 23 BMW M3 Touring [10.00] 22 Toyota LC 300 [0.00]	Don't really have any suggestions about the paint readings, but if it were me and I had a niggling feeling like that, I'd walk away. I'd always be wondering, and that would bug me.
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07-15-2024, 01:41 PM	#3
tcphoto Brigadier General 4153 Rep 3,241 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	Do you have the history on the car, dealer or private sale? I just repainted the hood, roof and trunk lid because of clear coat failure so I'm sure the gauge readings would be thicker than the doors and fenders, there's a story behind those readings. __________________
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07-15-2024, 04:39 PM	#4
TboneS54 YNWA 1196 Rep 907 Posts Drives: '04 M3 6MT, '11 M3 DCT, '22 X7 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2)	my 2022 x7 was only about 4mil all around. I don't think new-ish cars are coming with 8 mils __________________ /// 2004 Silvergrey M3 · Coupe · 6MT · Slicktop · zero options /// 2011 Jerez/Bamboo E90 M3 · DCT · Slicktop · IG: @na.s54
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