Yes, there is an instrument that measures gloss. As you may have guessed, it is called a gloss meter. Although the level of gloss is often determined by a visual perception, in that an object looks to the human eye as glossy or not, it really is measurable. In fact, there are standards of gloss levels that guide the various industries that need to factor in gloss levels in the quality of their products.

What is gloss?

The technical definition of gloss is the amount of light that is reflected from an object that either has a natural gloss, or has been coated with a substance that provides it with a gloss. This light reflection is a measurable attribute of an object. The unit of measurement is (no surprise here) a gloss unit (GU).

When are gloss levels important?

Of course, the level of any object’s gloss can be a matter of opinion, based on a more emotive visualization of an object. If two people examine a glossy product, one may describe it as overly sleek; whereas the other will view it as almost matt in appearance. If gloss is deteriorating on a salable piece of jewelry or coated ceramic dinnerware, human vision may not be enough to detect this.

Gloss is often viewed as a sign of quality. Look at a just-off-the-assembly-line motor vehicle in a showroom, for example. However, just as frequently, gloss can be an object of scorn. No military official worth his salt will tolerate a tank with a glossy shine! Glossy paint can reveal every nick and bump in a wall; whereas low-gloss or matt paint smoothes over irregularities.  Measuring gloss levels on production lines can immediately point out flaws in isolated cases of products with bumps or scratches.

Accuracy of gloss meters

You may ask how reflected light can be measured when the strength of reflections changes with the angle of viewpoint. No problem! Quality gloss meters cover all three gloss ranges of measurement: high-gloss (more than 70 GU), semi-gloss (between 10 and 70 GU), and low-gloss (less than 10 GU). The higher the gloss level, the lower the angle of reflection. For example, a high gloss surface can be measured with the gloss meter set at a 20° angle, which in effect is a high resolution. A low-gloss surface can be measured with the meter set at 85°, a much wider angle. Typically, semi-gloss surfaces are measured with the meter set at a 60° angle, a good starting point if you’re not sure what gloss level to expect.

Used-Line offers an excellent choice of gloss meters, you can begin here to find the one best for you.

Used-Line is pleased to announce the arrival of our Special Offers tab!

Used-Line is always looking for ways to help our customers increase sales. This super easy-to-use feature is certain to do the trick!

Special Offer ads showcase equipment you’d like to offer for a discounted price of 10% or more.

For the initial launching period, we’re giving away 10 FREE Special Offer ad slots to anyone in the world! No payment information required.

After 3 months (starting September 1st), you’ll need to purchase the ad slots in order to continue using them. So take advantage now!

A Special Offer ad will run for $12 p/m.

What you need to know

• Placing a Special Offer ad is very easy. If you already have ads showing on Used-Line, you can change them into Special Offer ads with the click of a button from My UL > My Ads.

• If you already have ads on Used-Line, and want to list a new piece of equipment as a Special Offer ad, simply log in to My UL from the top of any page on Used-Line and select Place Special Offer Ads from the menu

• If you don’t have ads on Used-Line, log in or register and from the top of any page select My UL > Place Special Offer Ads.

Pin Option

An additional feature to help increase sales and visibility with your Special Offer ads is the Pin option. This add-on, available for purchase, will pin your Special Offer ad near the top of search results & give them a highlighted background to attract attention.

A Pin option may be purchased together with a Special Offer ad, or can be purchased later and added to an already existing Special Offer ad.

If you already have ads on Used-Line, you can pin your ad with the click of a button:

Each Pin option costs $5 p/m.

A Tribute to Simon Pozner, of Blessed Memory

Elijah Pozner, a physicist, would often require various pieces of expensive equipment to conduct his experiments. After he’d complete a particular analysis, the apparatus became of no use to him, and simply took up space in his office.

His brother, Simon, a mathematician, noted this phenomenon and realized that he could help people, like his brother Elijah, reach interested buyers of perfectly good technical equipment – if he’d just be able to post those products somewhere online!

He decided to teach himself computer programming, and with the goal of creating a unique platform designed & dedicated specifically for promoting the sales of technical equipment, Used-Line was born!

In 1999, S. Pozner Technologies, the officially registered name of Used-Line.Com, launched what would become the global online marketplace for new and used technical equipment.

Already by the year 2008, Used-Line.Com received over 100,000 hits a month!

Simon used his genius to develop some of the most advanced and used-friendly tools available online today for the promotion, classification, and searchability of new and used technical equipment.

Some of his most impressive innovations are Used-Line’s:

• Robot (spider),
• Advanced & detailed search engine capabilities
• User-friendly platform for connecting buyers to sellers

To our great dismay, Simon passed away in 2012 leaving his wife, Esther, to assume the position of CEO at Used-Line.

By no means was Esther prepared to let Used-Line rest on its laurels! She went ahead and hired top programmers and developers to take over and continue making Used-Line better, and better, and better!

Indeed, just in 2018 alone, Used-Line developed a number of new & exciting features (make sure you read our newsletters & updates!), and revamped our site to provide an even more user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing experience! So 2019 is a significant year for Used-Line, as it marks its 20- year anniversary. We look forward to sharing more of our experience with you, and helping you sell and buy your equipment quickly and easily!