The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop How much paint to buy for a 45 GMC 1/2 ton

I have been trying to research this through the search feature, here, as well as other sites on the web. I have also talked to a few jobbers, all of which give me vast range differences.

I plan on painting the original colors of brewster green for the cab, bed (this is a GMC, so entire inside and outside sides, doors, tailgate, hood, misc other panels including the dash and inside the cab jambs etc. For the black, the front and rear fenders, running boards, engine compartment inner fenders braces etc.

I am going to use a basecoat/clear coat. I have been told to go with 3 cover coats of the base, then 3 clear coats. I want to have some extra for repairs downt he road, but not an excessive amount. I plan on using Dupont, which 1 gallon of paint yields 2 gallons of sprayable paint once mixed. Has anyone recently painted their truck, with the amount of painted and clearcoat needed? Just trying to identify this up front. Last thing I need is to run short, or have way too much extra at the price this stuff is going for.

Thanks

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=9015746&uid=4287994&members=1

I just painted my cab and had a gallon of base. I also painted the doors and hood. A gallon will be cutting it really close. I wish I had bought more. Mine didn't cover well at all and had to put on a couple of extra coats. I would buy an extra quart and use that first. As far as the clear goes 3 coats will be plenty to wet sand and buff if you want to.

Dad6timz,
Thanks. What kind of paint did you use? Just so that I understand, you painted the cab, hood, and doors and 1 gallon was not quite enought? Did you do under the hood, door jambs, and back side of the doors as well??

I used a ppg product called Omni.I did not do the underside of the hood (I painted it black).I will have enough to do the inner door panels.I won't have enough to do the box when I get ready to paint it.Keep in mind that I had to put on additional coats of paint and you may not have to.

On my '53, I have a gallon of base. Mixed 1:1 I end up with two gallons of paint. My boss (painting for 35 years) says it should be enough to do all the edges, everything inside of cab, the whole exterior..oh and the underside of the fenders and door jambs of a '69 Skylark.
-shrug-

Colin,
Thanks for the info. How many coats do you plan on putting on it? Also, how much clear??

Two and a half coats I believe. Half as in one fog coat. Three coats of clear.
Thats the plan for now.
Good Luck.