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The Elcometer 311 Automotive Paint Meter is a dry film coating thickness gauge built specifically for vehicle paintwork, used to measure paint thickness instantly and indicate the overall condition of the panels.
Paint thickness reveals damage that public and commercial condition reports often miss: hidden rework, impact damage, respray and filled body panels. By reading the coating across a vehicle, an inspector can quickly flag work that affects resale value. The Elcometer 311 Automotive Paint Meter reads at 60 or more readings per minute, switches instantly between steel and aluminium panels, and applies automatic temperature compensation so it measures accurately in desert or alpine conditions alike. The dust and waterproof body is rated equivalent to IP64 for wet or dry use, and an automatic rotating display lets the thickness value be read on horizontal and vertical surfaces.
The Elcometer 311 Automotive Paint Meter measures from 0 to 500 microns with a resolution of 10 microns and an accuracy of plus or minus 5% or plus or minus 20 microns. Minimum substrate thickness is 800 microns on steel and 300 microns on aluminium for FNF gauges. The Elcometer 311 Automotive Paint Meter operates from -10 to 50 degrees C, runs on two AA batteries or USB, weighs 156g and measures 14.1 x 7.30 x 3.70cm. Three models are offered: Model B (A311CFBI) with a steel-only probe, Model B (A311CFNFBI) with a steel and aluminium probe, and Model T (A311CFNFTI) which adds on-screen statistics and wireless data output. The Model T connects via Bluetooth or USB to your own inspection app or to ElcoMaster software and the ElcoMaster mobile app for report generation.
The Elcometer 311 Automotive Paint Meter is used by vehicle appraisers, dealerships and pre-purchase inspectors, and is supplied by BAMR, South Africa's authorised Elcometer distributor.
Elcometer 311 Automotive Paint Meter
The Elcometer 311 Automotive Paint Meter is the fastest automotive paint gauge on the market today, used to instantly measure paint thickness and provide an indication of the overall condition of paint work.
- Fast reading rate of 60+ readings per minute significantly reduces inspection times
- Switches instantly to measure coatings on steel & aluminium
- Ergonomic design gives you maximum comfort when measuring vehicles all day
- Automatic temperature compensation accurately measures in desert or alpine conditions alike
- Wirelessly connect via Bluetooth to your own inspection app or ElcoMaster for seamless reporting
- Automatic rotating display allows you to read the thickness value on horizontal & vertical surfaces
- Ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the screen brightness to your lighting condition
- Dust & waterproof rugged design equivalent to IP64, ideal for measuring in wet or dry conditions
- Large easy to read values in mils & microns
- Scratch, solvent & water surfaces resistant colour display for protection against accidental damage
When to use the Elcometer 311 Automotive Paint Meter
Use the Elcometer 311 to assess vehicle paintwork fast, whether buying, inspecting or appraising. It measures paint thickness on steel and aluminium and gives an indication of overall condition, taking more than 60 readings a minute so you can work around a whole car quickly.
- 1More than 60 readings a minuteA fast reading rate cuts inspection time, which matters when you are checking every panel of a vehicle or a yard full of them.
- 2Switches between steel and aluminiumIt changes substrate automatically as you move panel to panel, so mixed-metal bodywork does not slow you down or skew the reading.
- 3Reads in any orientation, indoors or outThe rotating display, IP64 rugged design and automatic temperature compensation let you measure horizontal or vertical panels in wet or dry, hot or cold conditions.
Lower-budget alternatives
Ten minutes on a call with one of our specialists usually saves you from buying the wrong instrument.
Book a 10-minute callOr , our product assistant, for an instant answer.
When to use this
When to use the Elcometer 311 Automotive Paint Meter
Use the Elcometer 311 to assess vehicle paintwork fast, whether buying, inspecting or appraising. It measures paint thickness on steel and aluminium and gives an indication of overall condition, taking more than 60 readings a minute so you can work around a whole car quickly.
- 1More than 60 readings a minuteA fast reading rate cuts inspection time, which matters when you are checking every panel of a vehicle or a yard full of them.
- 2Switches between steel and aluminiumIt changes substrate automatically as you move panel to panel, so mixed-metal bodywork does not slow you down or skew the reading.
- 3Reads in any orientation, indoors or outThe rotating display, IP64 rugged design and automatic temperature compensation let you measure horizontal or vertical panels in wet or dry, hot or cold conditions.
Lower-budget alternatives
Ten minutes on a call with one of our specialists usually saves you from buying the wrong instrument.
Book a 10-minute callOr , our product assistant, for an instant answer.
Specifications
General
- Accuracy
- ±5% or ±20μm
- Resolution
- 10μm
- Measurement Range
- 0-500μm
- Operating Temperature
- -10 to 50°C
- Relative Humidity (RH)
- 0 to 95%
- Power Supply
- 2 x AA Batteries or via USB (rechargeable batteries can also be used)
- Battery Life
- Alkaline: Approximately 16 hours; Lithium: Approximately 24 hours
- Gauge Dimensions
- 14.1 x 7.30 x 3.70cm
- Gauge Weight (incl batteries)
- 156g
- Minimum Substrate Thickness
- Steel: 800μm; Aluminium: 300μm - FNF gauges only
Model Specifications
■ = available / compatible with that option or model
| Model B (A311CFBI) | Model B (A311CFNFBI) | Model T (A311CFNFTI) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calibration Test Certificate | ● | ● | ● |
| Built in Probe Type | Steel (F) | Steel & Aluminium (FNF) | Steel & Aluminium (FNF) |
| Fast accurate reading rate; 60+ readings per minute | ■ | ■ | ■ |
| On screen statistics (Number of readings n; Average mean x; Lowest reading Lo; Elcometer Index Value EIV) | ■ | ||
| Wireless Data output via Bluetooth® or USB | ■ | ||
| Zero Calibration | ■ | ■ | ■ |
- ● / ■ Legend
- Feature is supplied / standard for that model
- * Check pieces
- F models: Steel Check Piece; FNF models: Steel & Aluminium Check Pieces
Packing List
Packing List
Accessories
Accessories
| T99916925 | Calibration Check Piece; Steel (Ferrous) |
| T99916901 | Calibration Check Piece; Aluminium (Non-Ferrous) |
| T99022570-7A | Calibration Check Foil; Nominal value 125μm |
| T99921325 | USB Cable |
| T99922341 | Self Adhesive Screen Protectors (Pack of 10) |
Downloads
Videos
Videos
Frequently asked questions
What measurement range and accuracy does the Elcometer 311 offer?
The 311 measures 0 to 500 micrometres with an accuracy of plus or minus 5% or plus or minus 20 micrometres and a resolution of 10 micrometres. It operates from -10 to 50 degrees C at up to 95% relative humidity.
Can the 311 measure on aluminium as well as steel?
Only the FNF variants (A311CFNFBI and A311CFNFTI) can measure on both steel and aluminium. The ferrous-only Model B (A311CFBI) measures on steel only. For aluminium, the minimum substrate thickness is 300 micrometres, versus 800 micrometres for steel.
How fast is the reading rate?
All three models deliver 60 or more readings per minute, making the 311 suited to rapid panel-by-panel assessment.
Which model supports wireless data output and on-screen statistics?
The Model T (A311CFNFTI) includes on-screen statistics, number of readings, mean, lowest reading, and the Elcometer Index Value, plus wireless data output via Bluetooth or USB. The two Model B variants output data by USB only and do not display statistics.
How is the gauge powered?
The 311 runs on two AA batteries, or via USB. Alkaline batteries last approximately 16 hours; lithium approximately 24 hours. Rechargeable batteries can also be used.
Quote on the Elcometer 311 Automotive Paint Meter by close of business.
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Request a quote
Request a quote
Tell us about your application and we will send a quote with lead time and accessories.