Elcometer 112 Hexagonal Wet Film Comb Stainless Steel

Reusable stainless steel wet film combs for quick paint checks

The Elcometer 112 hexagonal wet film comb is a precision-formed stainless steel gauge for checking wet film thickness during paint application. Each of the six faces has a different edge, and the stepped teeth give 24 or 36 measurement steps depending on the comb. The operator presses a face squarely into the wet paint and reads the highest tooth that is wetted and the next lower tooth that is dry, so the film thickness lies between those two marked values. The combs are long lasting and reusable, which makes them a low-cost way to control film build on steel structures, pipework and tanks before the coating cures. Elcometer lists ASTM D4414-A, ISO 2808-1A and 2808-7B, BS 3900-C5-7B, AS/NZS 1580.107.3, JIS K 5600-1-7, NF T30-125 and US Navy PPI 63101-000 and NSI 009-32.

Technical specifications

Accuracy is +/-5% of the marked value or 3 microns (0.12 mil), whichever is greater. Each comb is supplied with a storage case and operating instructions, and an optional calibration certificate is available.

Which comb to order

Choose the comb whose range brackets the wet film specified, and prefer the comb with the finest steps in that region. The 20-370 micron and 0.5-15 mil combs suit thin primers and finishes, the 25-2000 micron and 1-80 mil combs cover most protective coating systems, and the 25-3000 micron and 1-120 mil combs extend to heavy-build linings. Elcometer also lists a lower-cost 112AL punched aluminium comb, sold in packs of 10 with metric 25-3000 micron and imperial 1-118 mil scales on opposite sides; the datasheet states it is not as accurate as the precision stainless steel combs and has a shorter life, so it is a disposable tool for non-critical checks.

Using the comb correctly

A wet film reading is taken immediately after application because solvent starts to leave the film at once, and a dry film target is calculated from the wet film using the volume solids of the paint, which comes from the paint manufacturer data sheet. Keep the comb clean between readings and check the teeth are not bent. Wet film readings are a process control, and dry film thickness is verified later with a coating thickness gauge, for example the Elcometer 456 coating thickness gauge; see all portable test and measurement instruments.

Documents and quotation

The attached Elcometer datasheet lists all combs and part numbers. Please confirm before ordering the wet film range, metric or imperial scale, the quantity and whether a calibration certificate is required, and send these with your enquiry so the part number can be checked against the manufacturer documentation.