for a mid-size car, plan on 3-4 quarts of basecoat and 1 gallon of clearcoat. For a large SUV, 1-2 gallons of basecoat and 1-2 gallons of clearcoat. Always get a bit extra to account for overspray and multiple coats.
Size of the Vehicle
- For a mid-size car, a professional needs about 3 quarts of paint, while an inexperienced person may need a gallon.
- For a large SUV, a pro needs 6-7 quarts while an inexperienced person would require around 2 gallons.
- Painting the trunk, door jams, and under-hood areas will require extra paint.
- Using a spray mechanism like an airbrush requires about twice as much paint as the usual method.
Type of Paint
- Enamel paint: A small car needs 2-2.5 quarts for 2 coats, while an average sedan requires a gallon. It’s best to mix 3⁄4 of the quantity at a time.
- Basecoat: Painting the same color car uses 2-2.5 quarts mixed 1:1 with reducer. A different color requires 3 quarts.
- Clearcoat: One gallon is usually enough for a full car. Mix 2.5-3 quarts with activator for a small car, or a full gallon for a large vehicle.
Other Tips
- Get more paint than you think you’ll need to be on the safe side.
- Most manufacturers provide recommended coverage on the paint can or from the supplier.
- Using an HVLP spray gun will require less paint.
- Painting the same color may use 2 gallons, while a different color could require an extra half gallon.
Calculating Paint Requirements with Overspray
Determine base paint requirement to calculate the amount of paint needed for the surface area you intend to cover. This can be done using the formula:
Total Paint = Surface Area / Coverage per Gallon × Number of Coats
For example, if you have a surface area of 200 square feet and the paint covers 150 square feet per gallon, for two coats, the calculation would be:
Total Paint = 200 / 150 × 2 = 2.67 gallons
