How many gallons of paint should I buy?

[timmycharger]

While reading http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,124626.25/topicseen.html, it got me thinking about how much material I am going to need.

I talked to the painter who is going to spray my car and he thought 1 gallon should do it, but when I reminded him that I am going with PPG Omni he suggested I speak to the paint supply store for feedback.  I already sprayed the jambs, inside of the trunk, engine bay and inside of all the panels with the PPG Omni B7 blue so I want to be consistent on the outside of the car, plus since its the same formula everything should match when done.

My car has a vinyl top installed so basically he is going to be spraying some of the jambs for blending, the gutter area in the trunk and the rest of the car except for the roof.

PPG Omni usually needs more coats for coverage, would 2 gallons of paint/ or 4 gallons after being reduced be enough?  The painter wants to use RM clear and hardener which is costly, how many gallons of that would I need?  

[Nacho-RT74]

My car took one and a half gal achrilic ( sp ? ) in blue, pure. Then reduced

Redish colors use to take more

I think half of gal of clear ( 480S Dupont )

[hemi-hampton]

Buy a gallon of each. LEON.

[timmycharger]

Thank you guys! 

[58pwrwgn]

I used a half quart of omni b7 to paint the trunk and underside from the back seats to the rear.

[DAY CLONA]

I already sprayed the jambs, inside of the trunk, engine bay and inside of all the panels with the PPG Omni B7 blue so I want to be consistent on the outside of the car, plus since its the same formula everything should match when done.

That's naive thinking my friend, even with the same paint supplier/mixer, I've had paint mixed for a paint test spray out, then call in that I want a gallon or 2 of the EXACT formula mixed the day prior,....I've learned to open the can at the paint shop and compare with the sample I was actually supplied with, I only made the mistake once driving back to the shop with what I thought was the same "mix", only to open it on paint day and be surprised that it didn't match...so be fore warned


As to how much paint?, seeing you've already jambed most of the car, if the paint is a 1 to 1 reduction, then 1 gallon of color is going to produce 2 gallons of paint after reduction, be advised when you tell some paint mixers you need a gallon of paint, you'll actually get a half gallon of color, and a gallon can of reducer, esp if it's a 1 to 1, once mixed then you have your "gallon" of color, I would paint the roof regardless of the fact a vinyl top is going on, if it's just in primer/sealer your asking for a future rust candidate under the vinyl...as far as the clear coat, I'd have a gallon minimum on hand, I assume you'll be color sanding and buffing/polishing the paint afterwards?, if so you want a minimum of 3 coats of clear on the car, I prefer 4 coats myself, so best to have an extra gallon of clear, you can always return it if unopened, sucks to runout of paint on paint day, or find out the clear coat is so thin, and had the painter had that extra qt or 2 from another gallon you would have had better coverage and or enough for a proper color sanding/buff...if your going to use the OMNI clear, it's like water

IMHO, paint is never one of those things you skimp on, regardless of cost, cuz when you do, it only bites you in the rear later, better to have quality materials, and more than needed, rather than shaft yourself being frugal

[timmycharger]

I already sprayed the jambs, inside of the trunk, engine bay and inside of all the panels with the PPG Omni B7 blue so I want to be consistent on the outside of the car, plus since its the same formula everything should match when done.

That's naive thinking my friend, even with the same paint supplier/mixer, I've had paint mixed for a paint test spray out, then call in that I want a gallon or 2 of the EXACT formula mixed the day prior,....I've learned to open the can at the paint shop and compare with the sample I was actually supplied with, I only made the mistake once driving back to the shop with what I thought was the same "mix", only to open it on paint day and be surprised that it didn't match...so be fore warned


As to how much paint?, seeing you've already jambed most of the car, if the paint is a 1 to 1 reduction, then 1 gallon of color is going to produce 2 gallons of paint after reduction, be advised when you tell some paint mixers you need a gallon of paint, you'll actually get a half gallon of color, and a gallon can of reducer, esp if it's a 1 to 1, once mixed then you have your "gallon" of color, I would paint the roof regardless of the fact a vinyl top is going on, if it's just in primer/sealer your asking for a future rust candidate under the vinyl...as far as the clear coat, I'd have a gallon minimum on hand, I assume you'll be color sanding and buffing/polishing the paint afterwards?, if so you want a minimum of 3 coats of clear on the car, I prefer 4 coats myself, so best to have an extra gallon of clear, you can always return it if unopened, sucks to runout of paint on paint day, or find out the clear coat is so thin, and had the painter had that extra qt or 2 from another gallon you would have had better coverage and or enough for a proper color sanding/buff...if your going to use the OMNI clear, it's like water

IMHO, paint is never one of those things you skimp on, regardless of cost, cuz when you do, it only bites you in the rear later, better to have quality materials, and more than needed, rather than shaft yourself being frugal

I couldnt agree with you more on the checking of the color. This will be the third time they mixed this color for me in the last 2 years, so far they have matched it twice, but I still have a half quart from last year when we did the inside of the panels that I can compare, and I will be sure to tell them to give me un reduced base for a true 2 gallon sprayable material.


I did things out of order, the top is already on the car after I base coat/clear coated it along with the jambs, engine bay and trunk. The body is the last of it, I already painted inside the panels. The painter prefers RM clear, a bit pricey but I agree the Omni is thin.

Great feedback, thanks!