A Long Long Time ago!
When I was much younger, I bought a F**d because my wife could not get the Holden we test drove into second gear.
Anyhow among my many complaints was a concern about the paintwork. I complained to the dealer, who arranged for a Service Rep to come out to talk to me.
Said expert produced an unbalanced elcometer, and proceeded to tell me that it proved the paint coat on the vertical surfaces met specifications.
I then produced the official instructions for an umbalanced elcometer, which stated that it was only accurate if held vertically.
I also produced a balanced elcometer and an electronic elcometer, which both agreed that the paint coating on the sides of the car were about 1/3 the thickness that they should have been.
Even with this proof, said rep still stood by his unbalanced elcometer result claiming it was valid. I tried to explain the operation of an unbalanced elcometer to him, including the role of gravity on test result when the item was not held vertical (leading to over-reading).
He then brightened up and told me that I did not know what I was talking about. After all, the workings were inside the meter, so gravity did not apply.
I invited the dealer rep to suggest to the service rep that he escape in a hurry, which he did. Won the case, and got a seven year paint and corrosion warranty in writing from the manufacturer.
As a technical authority at the time on aircraft surface finishing (paint), I was probably not the one to try to fool.
