How Much Paint?

Joe in NY

Promoted Users
I'm getting ready to paint my '67 Fairlane. It had been repainted once and poorly done. The second coat came off fairly easily with a DA and 80 grit paper. The original paint below is well adhered to the body. I have not removed the original factory paint but just scuffed it up. I've had to do some rust repair and there's a small amount of body filler in the car. I'd like to seal everything with epoxy to begin with then a sandable primer, color coat and, finally, clear coat.

I'd like to hear some opinions on how much of each type of paint I'm going to need.
 
Don,

Would that be 8 oz. of mixed paint which would include the paint, catalyst, reducer, etc.?

Joe
 
Rule of thumb I learned here is 8 ounces per panel per coat.

Don
the problem with that is the rear quarter is quite a bit larger than the fender on a fairlane and the hood is about 2 fenders.
i believe there is a sqft per ounce thing thats more accurate.
 
the problem with that is the rear quarter is quite a bit larger than the fender on a fairlane and the hood is about 2 fenders.
i believe there is a sqft per ounce thing thats more accurate.

It averages out over all the panels on the car. The rule of thumb works well in my experience. Given the smallest increment of paint you can buy is usually one quart it doesn’t have to be accurate within a fraction of an ounce....

Don
 
Being a hack and not a professional I have found it is much better to have more than enough paint than to run out while spraying.

Most of the cars I do are the larger muscle cars and I can also tell you from experience that pickup trucks gobble up paint.

I use a 10 oz per panel, per coat of mixed and ready to spray (RTS) paint. This works well for me and always leaves me a little extra paint just in case I have to respray a panel or get clutzy and spill a full cup of paint on the floor. Yes, it has happened. It also leaves you some paint for any touch ups from burning through the clear when buffing, etc.

Personally, I prefer paint that mixes 1:1 so I get more paint for my money.
 
With the cost of materials...I got it down to oz. too when painting panels individually.
 
The only thing to consider with all the good info you have received is Like the epoxy.
You may get away with 2 quart kits =(1 gallon) but if you need more you just lost your wallet!
With the epoxy, I always say cheaper to get the gallon kit=(2 gallons.)
My personal experience is on a frame I will use a gallon kit (=2 gallons) but I'm not shy about putting 3 or 4 coats on the frame either.
A gto, 280 sl or vette body another gallon kit as also use as sealer and other parts.
In other words we surcharge quarts like the majors do.
 
I'm working on a 57 cadillac that I ordered 2 gallons of epoxy for and I'm afraid I'm going to run out! Man, this thing is big. The trunk is bigger than most of the new pickup beds! I have to spray this thing 3 stage and I"m pretty sure a gallon of each color will not make it. Probably 2 gallons of clear, also. Some vehicles just seem to be material hogs, especially if you are doing all the insides. One gallon of epoxy, one gallon of 2k,(depending on how straight it is) one gallon of base,(2 more quarts if doing all the insides), and 1.5 gallons of universal clear would be a "guesstimate" on your Fairlane.
 
Alot of how much someone uses is determined by how much is overspray that never sees the surface of what is being done. I always buy in gallons, it's easier and less stress over not having enough. Write down how much is used per coat and you will have a good idea about much to use later.
 
The 57 would be size of house!

Your right elwood, frames you blow about half the epoxy in the air.
 
This is great information. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to share your experience. I like the idea of ordering a little more than I think I'll need.
 
Having extra also allows you to spray some test panels if needed. This way if any corrections are needed they can be made before spraying what really counts.
 
I’ve run out midstream on a paint job. At that point I would have paid $200 for that $100 can of paint that I was trying to save on. Because I already lost double that on rework and time.
Dave
 
Some of the spec paints I have to buy are in 5 gallon containers. I always buy gallon cans and mix the 5 er and just work off one gallon at a time. Epoxy lasts alot longer, but if you are concerned about ending up having paint to throw away, you can get the gallons and end up with quart cans to mix or save. At least they are just getting at the air once when you mix for the first time, not each time you are cutting another cup gun full of paint.
 
Sounds like my Coronet. I would get 2 gallons of 700, 2 gallons of 710, 2 gallons of epoxy, 2 gallons of 2k, 1.5 gallons of base and 1 gallons of Universal Clear. May sound like a lot to the pro's but if your not a pro you will be redoing and/or blocking your mistakes more than a pro!
 
Back
Top