This may be a little vague for a solid answer, but a ballpark amount is all I really need. I'm starting on my first paint/body adventure probably next week. I'm going to be taking my '66 F100 short bed down to the metal and painting the exterior, interior and bed. I'd like some unbiased opinions on how much paint I might need instead of what the commissioned guy behind the counter tells me I need.

 

it is really hard to tell someone what they will need for amounts . at best it will be a guess as no two people spray the same . and some colors will have better coverage. if everything goes well i will guess about two gallons of single stage enamel . that way you will have some left over in case of a mishap . as for base coat . i would say try to get a primer / sealer as close in color as the final color you decide on and a gallon of color should be about right , however as mentioned some colors cover better than others . i hope this helps . good luck .

 

Actually that does help, I was just looking for ballpark figures.

 

I would say a little more then a gallon of base painting that much depending. I would say three quarts or 6 quarts sprayable for the outside and door jambs, and 2 quarts mixed for the bed, which would be a gallon of paint if mixed 1:1, but don't know what you are all doing inside wise, under hood, ect? Maybe get a gallon and do the inside of bed and jambs first, and when you come to base have about 3 quarts unmixed left, at which time you can get more if you feel you need it and mix that in with the old. If you feel like you are going to have to skimp, skimp on some areas not easily seen with the price of paint these days. A sealer or primer color that is going to help coverage may be wise like effie said. A paint supplier with some knowledgeable countermen should be able to tell you what color for coverage, may even have a note when they look up the mixing formula. Some greens, yellows, and reds cover bad, even in upper lines, most lower lines take more coats to get coverage regardless of color. I've had ppg dbc base cover in two coats easily, but also take 6 coats on a light and bright green color going over the some white primer spots and the rest of the car being dark green. With lower lines, 3 coats is usually pretty good, not uncommon to require 4 or more. Also if you are using a hvlp gun could use less then a conventional gun, then its down to the painting style and pressure. So its impossible to give an exact amount not knowing the reduction ratio of the paint, and how the color you choose is going to cover in that line. A good reason to have your supplier close by if you need something in the middle of the job. When you get your paint, shake or mix it up, then dip a paint stick into the can and look at it. If it is thin and you can see on the edge the color of the stick showing through, and the paint looks transparent its very likely its going to cover poorly. Depends on the amount of toners in the color, as well as what color and amount as tints, as well as how much pigment is actually in the paint, which the lower lines seem to have less of. And 2 gallons of clearcoat for three coats with a 4:1 mixing ratio.

 

Yeah , I know it was a question with a broad range of answers. But you guys have given me great answers. I just don't want the guy at the counter telling me that I need 6 gallons when I need 2 or 3. Paint is expensive even though I'm going to be using the cheap stuff since it's a first effort. Basically, I don't want some clown ripping me off since I'm a newbie.