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Mil Thickness
The measurement of coating dry film thickness in thousandths of an inch (mils). Coating specifications define minimum and maximum dry film thickness requirements that must be verified by inspection gauges before parts are approved for shipment.
Mil thickness is a critical specification that must be measured and documented to verify that your coating will provide the intended protection and durability. Coating dry film thickness is measured in thousandths of an inch (mils), with typical specifications ranging from 1.5 to 3.0 mils for powder coat, 2.0 to 4.0 mils for liquid paint, and even higher for specialized industrial finishes.
Thickness specifications are not arbitrary, they're engineered based on expected service environment, corrosion resistance requirements, and economic considerations. Coating too thin leaves insufficient material to protect the substrate, while coating too thick wastes material, extends cure time, and can cause sagging, cracking, or reduced gloss.
Handheld electromagnetic or eddy-current thickness gauges allow fabricators to verify thickness in seconds, making mil thickness measurement a practical and essential quality control step before shipping. Your specification should always define acceptable thickness ranges with minimum thresholds for protection.
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