Novo-Shade Duo + Shade, Opacity & Cleanliness Meter

The Novo-Shade Duo+ is a portable 45/0° reflectometer that can be used to assess either the shade of a surface (a simple indication of colour based on lightness/darkness) or calculate the opacity of a coating, plastic film or paper sample. By measuring using 45/0°, the Novo- Shade Duo+ measures the colour of a surface and not the specular reflectance (gloss).

To measure the shade of a coating simply place the instrument on the surface of the sample to be measured and press the centre button. The value is displayed on the screen. The shade measurement is based on a greyscale value where black has a value of zero and white is the value of the calibration standard included with the instrument.

To measure the opacity of a coating, it must be drawn down on a Leneta-type opacity chart at the required film weight and allowed to fully dry. To measure the opacity of plastic film, paper, textile or any other semi-opaque material, the sample to be measured should be placed over a black and white test bed, a Leneta-type chart is also suggested.

To measure cleanliness, clear tape is used to collect debris from the surface under test. This is then stuck to any suitable white substrate along with a sample of tape that is perfectly clean.