CG268 Tri-Angle Gloss Meter, 20°/60°/85°

COLO.Science · Spectroscopy & Color · Gloss measurement

CG268 Tri-Angle Gloss Meter — 20°, 60° and 85° in a compact instrument

The CG268 tri-angle gloss meter (COLO product code PRO7998) is a compact three-angle gloss meter for production and field use. It measures 20°, 60° and 85° — the standard angles for high-gloss, semi-gloss and matt surfaces — in 0.5 s and runs on one AA battery or USB power.

Which gloss meter?

20° / 60° / 85°, touch screenCGT268Full range · laboratory20° / 60° / 85°CG268Three angles · compact60°CG60Routine control60°, 2 × 4 mm spotCG60MCurved and small parts45° / 75°CG47Ceramics, films, paper

Overview

Working with the CG268 tri-angle gloss meter is simple. Place the instrument flat on the sample and press the measuring key: 20°, 60° and 85° values appear together in 0.5 s. Calibration on the standard in the base takes a few seconds; statistics, continuous measurement over a panel and pass/fail limits make routine work quick.

Key characteristics

• Measuring angles: 20° / 60° / 85°
• Range 20°: 0–2000 GU · 60°: 0–1000 GU · 85°: 0–160 GU
• Repeatability 0–100 GU: ±0.2 GU · 100–2000 GU: ±0.2 %
• Standards: ISO 2813, ASTM D523, GB/T 9754; JJG 696
• 2.3″ monochrome display, keypad; 35 000 readings
• USB; Bluetooth with optional adapter; 1 × AA battery (more than 10 000 measurements) or USB power

Suitable for

• Paints, varnishes and powder coatings — batch-to-batch gloss
• Automotive body paint, trim and interior parts
• Plastic parts and films
• Furniture, wood, polished stone and tiles
• Paper, print and packaging

What is gloss and how is it measured?

Gloss is the light a surface reflects in the mirror direction. A polished surface looks glossy and shows a sharp reflected image; a matt surface scatters the light and looks dull. Gloss is given in gloss units (GU): a polished black glass standard is 100 GU, metals and mirrors read more.

A gloss meter sends a beam onto the sample at a fixed angle and measures the light reflected at the same angle on the other side. The angle matters: 60° for most surfaces, 20° for high gloss (above 70 GU at 60°), 85° for matt finishes (below 10 GU at 60°); 45° and 75° are used for ceramics, films and paper. Always report the angle with the value.

• High gloss — car paint, piano lacquer, polished stone: measure at 20°.
• Semi-gloss — most industrial coatings and plastic parts: 60°.
• Matt — wall paints, interior car parts, textured plastics: 85°.
• Ceramics, films, paper — 45° and 75°.

Gloss meter or colour spectrophotometer?

The CG268 tri-angle gloss meter answers how glossy a surface is; a colour spectrophotometer answers what colour it is. Gloss changes how a colour is seen, and colour spectrophotometers show it as the difference between SCI and SCE readings. They do not give a gloss value in GU. When gloss is specified, it is measured with a gloss meter; colour and gloss are often checked together.

On the instrument

Three angles20°, 60° and 85° for the whole gloss range of coatings and plastics.

Calibration plate in the baseThe base protects the optics and holds the calibration standard.

Standard geometryISO 2813 and ASTM D523 angles.

Which model? — comparison

All five measure 0–1000 GU or more with ±0.2 GU repeatability (0–100 GU), store readings, offer statistics and pass/fail, and connect to the PC. They differ in angles and measuring spot:

• CGT268 — laboratory and incoming inspection over the full gloss range, with touch screen and rechargeable battery.
• CG268 — the same three angles in a compact instrument for production and field use.
• CG60 — routine 60° control where the specification names one angle.
• CG60M — curved, narrow and small parts, 2 × 4 mm spot.
• CG47 — 45° and 75° for ceramics, films, paper and print.

Standard delivery

• CG268 with calibration plate in the protective base
• USB cable; PC quality software
• User guide

Options: mini printer, bluetooth adapter. The delivered configuration for a specific order is the one confirmed in the COLO.Science quotation.

Knowledge base

Gloss units, angles and standards are explained in the Gloss Measurement Guide, colour values in the Colour Measurement Guide, and practical examples on COLO.Science, our knowledge base.

Selection guide

• Choosing the angle: see the Gloss Measurement Guide.
• Colour of the same samples: the CS60 benchtop spectrophotometers (SCI and SCE).
• Haze of transparent films and sheets: the haze meters in the Haze Measurement Guide.
• Not sure which angle your customer means? Send us the specification — we confirm it with the quotation.

Configuration notice

This page is provided for orientation and product selection. The model, accessories and the values you report are confirmed with the official COLO.Science quotation.

Sales and support for international customers

COLO Lab ExpertsPolje ob Sotli 4, SI-3255 Buče, Slovenia
Phone: +386 70 713 437 · Email: sales@colo.si · Web: colo.si
We supply laboratories across Europe directly and through partners. B2B prices are quoted net, excluding VAT.

Measuring gloss of coatings, plastics or paper?

Send us the material, the gloss level you expect and the standard you report to — we propose the angle and the model and confirm them with the quotation.