Measuring Haze and Gloss Together on Transparent Coated Samples

A transparent coated sample may produce a crisp reflection while an object viewed through it appears hazy. Those observations are not contradictory: reflected appearance and transmitted clarity describe different optical paths. A project that cares about both must specify both.

Define the viewing task

Ask whether the surface is meant to provide a clear view, a glossy reflection, privacy, colour consistency or a combination. A shower screen, display cover and decorative panel may have different priorities. Write the acceptance criteria around the intended use rather than around whichever instrument happens to be available.

BYK’s guidance on transparent products distinguishes appearance characteristics including gloss and transmission-related properties. A gloss result should not be substituted for a transmission-haze result or vice versa.

Control the complete sample

Record the substrate, thickness, coated face, opposite-face condition and any backing. Clean and handle the specimen using the approved method. Fingerprints, scratches or residue on the reverse side can affect an optical assessment and be incorrectly attributed to the new coating.

Assessment	Main question	Control
Transmitted view	How clearly can the intended object be seen?	Lighting, target and viewing geometry
Transmission haze measurement	How does the defined instrument quantify scattering?	Method, calibration and specimen position
Reflected appearance	How does the surface reflect the scene or light?	Viewing angle, background and opposite surface
Colour or tint	Has the intended appearance changed?	Suitable reference and measurement conditions

Compare against a matched baseline

Retain untreated samples from the same relevant material supply. Where a before-and-after measurement is practical, keep the same location and orientation while documenting any preparation between readings. Use an appropriate fixture and the instrument supplier’s method for transparent samples, including any required control of rear-surface reflections.

Do not improvise a dark backing for one specimen and compare it with an unbacked specimen without understanding the method. A change in setup can dominate the apparent difference.

Use more than a single attractive photograph

An illustrative sample may look excellent under front lighting but show a diffuse veil against a high-contrast target behind it. Record both views and investigate whether the effect arises from the coating, residue, substrate or opposite face. A front-lit image alone would miss the service question.

Photographs can document the observation, but numerical haze and gloss values require appropriate calibrated methods. Avoid assigning a percentage to a visual impression or comparing values from unrelated geometries as though they were interchangeable.

Approve the combination that matters

Report each agreed endpoint separately and identify any trade-off. If a project requires transparency and an unchanged decorative appearance, passing gloss alone is insufficient. Keep instrument details, raw results and reference images with the approval so future batches can be compared using the same basis.

The result is a clearer product decision: the coating is assessed for the actual optical job, rather than for the single property that happens to look best.

Technical references

These sources support the identified technical concepts. The planning examples in this guide are illustrative and are not NANOLAB performance test results.

• BYK Instruments: transparent products and their optical evaluation

Related guides

• Transparent Coatings on Glass: Separate Transmission from Reflection
• Nano Coating Gloss, Haze and Reflection Clarity

Discuss your surface and intended use with NANOLAB. Follow the current instructions for the exact product when planning application and care.