Gloss and appearance measurement quantifies the visual qualities of a surface that a person perceives as quality. Colour and gloss are two key parameters used to define a product's overall quality, and because perception is subjective, Elcometer's range of glossmeters, DOI meters and colour assessment equipment puts measurable numbers to appearance so that products can be matched consistently wherever and whenever they are made or coated.

Gloss is the ability of a surface to reflect light without scattering it. A glossmeter measures gloss by directing a constant intensity light beam at a fixed angle to the test surface and monitoring the amount of light reflected at the same angle, with different surfaces requiring different reflective angles. Colour is a material's ability to absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others: a black material reflects no light across the spectrum, a pure white material reflects all of it, and colour is quantified by Red, Green and Blue values.

BAMR supplies a comprehensive range of hand held instruments to measure the individual characteristics that together generate the overall appearance of a material or coating. The glossmeters cover the range needed to measure almost any surface, from high gloss to matt and from large to small surfaces, whether flat or curved. Supplied by BAMR, South Africa's authorised Elcometer distributor.