Elcometer 311
Paint Gauge
Coating Thickness Gauge
Dry Film Thickness Gauge (DFTG)

This simple to use gauge has been developed specifically for the automotive refinishing industry and is ideal for panel beaters and motor body shops .

Pre-calibrated at the factory on automotive grade steel, this rugged and reliable gauge allows users to :

Is your dream car really the car you think it is? Is it 100% genuine, or has it been in a crash? Can you be sure? The ONLY way to know is to use the 311. This simple, no calibration gauge allows you to instantly identify if your car is what you think it is.

Measure over aluminum and steel with the Elcometer 311 FNF or use the Elcometer Elcometer 311 F to simply read over steel.

No buttons to press, easy to use and accurate, the Elcometer 311 will give you an instant digital readout of the paint thickness. Both versions arrive pre-calibrated with a 5-year warranty and a lifetime guarantee of accuracy.

How does the Elcometer 311 work? : The gauge takes a signal and sends it through the paint to the substrate below. The thickness of the paint is determined by measuring the time it takes the signal to travel to and from the substrate.

What is the "right" paint thickness for a vehicle? : There is no "right" thickness. Because manufacturers constantly adjust their liquid and powder guns to compensate for changes in temperature, humidity, paint color, and vehicle type, paint thickness is always changing. Your Elcometer 311 is used to check the consistency of paint. For example, when you measure a car and it reads between 90 and 150 mic and then suddenly reads 300 mic you know that this area of the vehicle is a cause for concern. Whenever your gauge reads "- -" it means that the thickness is over 500 mic and could mean the presence of filler and a likely repair.

Why do some paint jobs "feather" or build from areas of low thickness to areas of higher thickness? : Automobile companies tend to apply thin paint in areas with low chip potential and thicker paint in areas of high chip potential. The 311 will allow you to note that the paint can be thicker on the leading edge of the hood, rocker panels, and the lower sections of doors while being thinner on the trailing edge of the hood, roof, trunk, or any other area with low chip potential.

Does my 311 work over aluminum and plastic? : Yes, and No. The Elcometer 311 F (steel) version works only on steel panels. The Elcometer 311 FNF version works over both steel and aluminum panels. However, science has not yet come up with a reliable way to non-destructively measure paint thickness over plastic with accuracy.

What do F and NF stand for? : F stands for ferrous metals (steel) and NF stands for non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, etc.). We use these terms in our models numbers so that the functionality of each instrument is easily apparent to the user.

Why choose Elcometer? : When it comes to measuring paint on metal - we wrote the book. Elcometer paint thickness gauges can be found in the paint shops of every major automobile and paint manufacturer the world over. Since 1947, we have worked hand in hand with these manufacturers to set up and implement their Paint Quality Control procedures.

It is this unequalled knowledge and experience that inspired the development of the Elcometer 311. Unlike other gauges on the market today, this gauge not only tells you where overspray and filler are located, but also tells you how much is present.

How seriously was that quarter panel damaged? The digital display tells you.

Typical Applications include :

Paint on Steel especially in the Automobile Industry

and typical Users include :

Motor Vehicle Manufacturers
Panel Beaters / Motor Body Repair Industry