An instrument for measuring the resistance of liquid paints and the surface resistance of articles to be coated electrostatically, includes a voltage multiplier circuit that multiplies a periodic low voltage signal to generate a resistance measuring voltage applied to first and second electrodes for resistance measurements. The electrodes are coupled to differential inputs of an A/D converter having an oscillator output for supplying the periodic low voltage signal to the multiplier circuit. Resistance, voltage and current measuring circuits are alternately switchable between the electrodes and the differential inputs of the A/D converter for measuring resistance, voltage and current, the results of which are displayed visually.