Surface
Tin-filled repairs: why you need an NFe-capable gauge
AUTO BILD notes that tin-filled repairs on a steel body show up only on a gauge with NFe (eddy-current) capability. What that means for buying a gauge.
Also listed as tin filler
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Short answer
AUTO BILD notes that tin-filled repairs on a steel body can only be found with a paint gauge that also has NFe (eddy-current) capability. A steel-only (Fe) gauge is not enough if you want to look for them, which is one reason combination Fe/NFe gauges suit used-car checks.
Key facts
- Material
- Tin filler in a steel body[1]
- Gauge method
- Needs eddy-current (NFe) capability, per AUTO BILD[1]
- What the reading includes
- Not confirmedNo source we checked describes how a tin-filled area reads in each mode.
- Published thickness figures
- Not confirmedNo source we checked gives thickness figures for tin-filled repairs.
- Polishing note
- Not confirmedNo source we checked covers polishing over tin-filled repairs.
- Inspection tip
- On a steel car, check suspect areas with a gauge that also has NFe capability[1]
Watch out for
- A Fe-only gauge will not find them. AUTO BILD says tin-filled repairs on steel can only be found with a gauge that also has NFe capability.
- It is one 2021 test's practical point. AUTO BILD's test covered German-market gauges in 2021; it supports choosing a combination gauge, not any specific reading pattern.
What fits
Product details below are the seller's own description unless a source is shown. Pick the variant named for each item.
Fe/NFe combination gauge (has NFe mode)
UNI-T UT343E Fe/NFe coating thickness gauge (Bluetooth, 0-2000 µm)Choose the UT343E (Bluetooth, 0-2000 µm), the only variant listed.
UNI-T specifies it for ferrous and non-ferrous substrates with automatic or manual substrate identification. The AliExpress store uses UNI-T's name, but UNI-T's own where-to-buy page links no AliExpress store, so treat the seller as unconfirmed. UNI-T's page lists CE and UKCA marks only.
Sold by UNI-T Official Store
View on AliExpress Opens aliexpress.us
For other repair types, see body filler repairs and refinished panels.
Questions
Can a paint gauge find tin-filled repairs?
AUTO BILD says tin-filled repairs on a steel body can only be found with a gauge that also has NFe (eddy-current) capability. A steel-only Fe gauge will not find them.[1]