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How much paint
do I need?
First simply calculate the surface area to be painted (and
multiply by the number of coats)
Read the container label to find out how much area the
paint will cover. If necessary, make adjustments for
relevant factors, but don't plan to skimp. (Spreading
paint too thinly lowers its durability.)
Divide the area per container into your total surface area
to determine how many containers you need.
What size containers of paint are available?
The
most common sizes are:
 0.945 litres
3.78 litres
18.9 litres
How many coats do I need to
apply?
Generally one or two. The paint label will state the
recommended number of coats and may briefly describe
situations in which you would use a primer before applying
the paint. See Primers and Undercoats for more
information.
How large an area does a container of paint cover?
The label will state the approximate area per litre, which
will typically work out to approximately 400 square feet
(single coat) for a 3.78 litre container. However, this
figure can increase or decrease due to factors related to
the surface to be painted and the paint to be applied:
Irregularity of surface (of siding, for example), which
results in surface area that is greater than the
measurement would indicate
Porosity of surface
Color of surface
Color of the paint
Product used (its hiding power, for example) |
