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Kett L600 Handheld Coating Thickness Gauge with accessories

Coating Thickness Gauges

Measure paint, powder coating, plating, anodizing and other coatings on any metal substrate — instantly and without damage. Kett’s handheld coating thickness gauges use magnetic inductance and eddy current technology to deliver accurate readings in under a second, right on the production floor or in the field.

From compact integrated gauges for quick spot checks to advanced two-piece systems with smart interchangeable probes, Kett offers a professional-grade gauge for every application. All models include a Total Care Warranty covering parts, labor and specification compliance.

Key Benefits

Why manufacturers and quality professionals choose Kett coating thickness gauges.

Instant Measurements

Instant, Non-Destructive Results

Get a thickness reading in under a second with no sample prep and no damage to the coating or substrate. Test parts on the production line and return them to production immediately.

Non-contact, Non-Destructive

Automatic Substrate Detection

Dual-mode gauges automatically identify ferrous and non-ferrous substrates and select the correct measurement circuit. No manual switching means faster testing and fewer operator errors.

Multiple Components

Smart Interchangeable Probes

Probes store their own calibration data and can be swapped between gauge bodies without recalibrating. Switch between standard, right-angle and shape-adaptive probes to reach any measurement location.

Built-in Statistical Process Control

Every gauge includes on-board statistics — average, standard deviation, high/low values and upper/lower limit settings. Monitor coating consistency across a production run without additional software.

Liquids and Solids

Extensive Data Storage and Output

Store thousands of measurements organized by application, block and group. Transfer data to a PC via USB-C or Bluetooth, or print results on the spot with the L500's integrated thermal printer.

Coatweight and Film Thiickness

Total Care Warranty

Every Kett coating thickness gauge includes a Total Care Warranty covering parts, labor and specification compliance — not just manufacturing defects. Focus on your product quality, not on verifying your gauge.

How it Works

Kett coating thickness gauges measure non-magnetic coatings on metal substrates using two proven principles. For ferrous (magnetic) substrates like steel and iron, the gauge applies a magnetic field through the coating and calculates thickness from the field strength at the surface. For non-ferrous substrates like aluminum, copper and brass, the gauge generates an eddy current in the substrate and measures the signal change caused by the coating layer. Dual-mode gauges automatically detect the substrate type and select the correct method — no manual switching required.

To take a measurement, the operator simply places the spring-loaded probe onto the coated surface. The gauge beeps to confirm contact, and the coating thickness appears on the display in under a second — in microns or mils. Built-in edge guides and a firm probe platform help maintain consistent contact on curved parts, edges and complex shapes, delivering repeatable results even in high-vibration production environments.

For applications requiring documentation or traceability, measurements can be organized into groups and blocks by production lot, location or part type. Statistical results — including average, standard deviation and high/low values — are calculated automatically and can be exported via USB-C, Bluetooth or the L500’s integrated thermal printer. All results are traceable to national and international standards including ISO 2178, ISO 2360, ASTM D7091 and ASTM B499.

What You Can Measure

Sample Industries and Applications

Kett coating thickness gauges support quality control and process verification across manufacturing, finishing and field inspection applications.

Automotive Manufacturing

On the assembly line, coating thickness measurement happens at every stage — from e-coat and primer to basecoat and clearcoat. Paint that is too thin fails to protect against corrosion; paint that is too thick wastes material and can develop orange peel, runs and adhesion failures. A handheld gauge lets QC staff verify each layer at the point of application and catch deviations before they reach final inspection.

Pharmaceutical

Metal finishing & Plating

Electroplating, anodizing and powder coating shops measure thickness at receiving inspection, mid-process and final QC. Plating that falls below spec leads to premature corrosion, customer rejects and warranty claims; plating that exceeds spec wastes chemistry and rack time. Quick, non-destructive verification at each stage keeps your process in control without slowing the line.

Chemicals

Aerospace & Defense

Surface treatments on aircraft components — including primer, topcoat, anodizing and chemical conversion coatings — must meet tight thickness tolerances for corrosion protection and weight control. Inspectors verify coatings on complex curved parts, fastener heads and interior surfaces where access is limited. Probe versatility and traceable calibration certificates support compliance with industry specifications.

Packaging

Auto Body & Collision Repair

Used car buyers, auction houses and collision repair shops use coating thickness gauges to detect body filler (Bondo), repainted panels and undisclosed accident repairs. Original factory paint typically falls within a known thickness range — readings significantly above that range indicate filler or repaint. A compact, one-handed gauge makes it easy to scan an entire vehicle in minutes.

Packaging

Label & Packaging

Label converters and packaging manufacturers measure adhesive layers, coatings and laminate thickness to ensure consistent bond strength and print quality. Coatings that are too thin cause label curl, poor adhesion and print defects; coatings that are too thick increase material costs and can affect die-cutting performance. Spot-checking at the press or rewinder catches drift before it becomes a production run of scrap.

Pulp and Paper

Paper & Polymer Coating

Paper mills and film converters apply barrier coatings, release coatings and specialty finishes that must meet precise thickness targets. Thin spots lead to pinholes and barrier failure; thick spots waste coating chemistry and cause drying or curing problems. A handheld gauge provides immediate feedback at the coater, allowing operators to adjust coating weight in real time rather than waiting for lab results.

Manufacturing

Metal Fabrication & Fasteners

Manufacturers of screws, nuts, washers, brackets and stamped parts apply zinc plating, phosphate coatings and paint for corrosion protection. Coating specs are typically defined by the customer or industry standard, and out-of-spec parts are rejected on receipt. Quick, non-destructive verification before shipment protects against costly returns and supports incoming inspection at the customer’s facility.

Manufacturing

General Manufacturing & Job Shops

Contract manufacturers, job shops and small-batch producers apply coatings to meet customer specs across a wide variety of parts and substrates. Out-of-spec thickness — whether from spray gun drift, bath chemistry changes or oven temperature variation — leads to customer rejects and rework. A versatile dual-mode gauge with stored calibrations lets operators switch between jobs quickly and verify each coating before the parts leave the shop.

Featured Products

Kett offers coating thickness gauges from compact integrated models to advanced probe-based platforms. View all products in this category for the full lineup, including probe options and accessories.

Kett LZ-990 Integrated Coating Thickness Gauge Display Active

LZ990 - Integrated Coating Thickness Gauge

The compact, all-in-one gauge for fast spot checks on the floor or in the field. The LZ990 fits in one hand, automatically detects ferrous and non-ferrous substrates, and delivers a reading in under a second.  Built-in edge guides handle curved and edged parts with no accessories needed.

Ideal for operators who need quick, reliable thickness verification without the complexity of a probe-based system. Stores 1,000 measurements with on-board statistics.

Kett L500 Advanced Coating Thickness Gauge Portable Instant

L500 - Coating Thickness Gauge with Integrated Printer

The only portable coating thickness gauge with a built-in thermal printer — measure, review stats and print a hard copy without leaving the measurement site. Smart probes store up to 50 application calibrations and can be swapped between L500 or L600 bodies without recalibrating.

With 24,000-measurement memory and group/block data organization, the L500 is built for documentation-heavy environments where traceability matters.

Kett L600 Coating Gauge with probe

L600 — Next-Generation Coating Thickness Gauge

The most advanced handheld coating thickness platform Kett has ever built. A 2.7-inch full-color display is readable indoors and in direct sunlight. Four measurement modes — including scan and scan-average — accelerate high-volume inspection.

The Expert version adds 100,000-measurement memory, Bluetooth connectivity and the LDL Mobile app for report generation on Android devices. Compatible with six interchangeable smart probes, including the new shape-adaptive EP-200 for edges, curves and complex geometries.

Ready to Improve Your Coating Thickness Testing?

Our engineers can help you select the right gauge and probe configuration for your substrate, coating type and production environment.