Characterizing the appearance of medium glossy surfaces

For characterizing the overall appearance of a coating system mainly two different techniques are used in the automotive and paint industry. The mechanical profilometry combined with Fourier techniques and the “wave-scan” instruments. In 2006 the new “wave-scan dual” was introduced by Byk-Gardner for detecting the appearance of surfaces with lower gloss (medium glossy), e.g. primer-surfacers and EC. Within the framework of different studies results of evaluations of applicability and limitations of the “wave-scan dual” for characterizing the appearance of medium glossy surfaces will be presented.