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| | | | Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 26 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 26 | I'm working on a 1950 panel and not ready yet, but thinking ahead about paint. Tried to find info with search - no luck. Someone have idea if one gallon of acrylic enamel will get the exterior done? Thanks for any help.
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| | | | | Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,515 AD Addict & Tinkerer | | AD Addict & Tinkerer Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,515 | I just bought 1–1/2 gallons of single stage paint for my 52 3100, and it will just be enough. I also painted the interior with the same paint. I would think a panel (minus the interior) would take as much or a bit more.
You don’t want to run out of paint in the middle of the job and take the chance of mismatched colors. You may also want a bit extra for mistakes and future repairs.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc BrakesProject JournalsStovebolt Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,186 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,186 | I used a gallon and a quart for my 3100 pickup and have just a dab left. There's no way I'd consider painting my interior Omaha Orange. LOL!
I would imagine that 1-1/2 gallons would be enough for the exterior of a panel, like Phil said.
Also, don't buy the paint real early, as some paint has a shelf life.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,261 "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! | | "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,261 | Depends on how torn down your project is. If you are doing jams, trim, pieces and parts off the vehicle, etc. I've estimated 1-1/2 gallons for my Suburban, so I'm going to buy 2 gallons for the job. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 4,511 Moderator, Electrical Bay | | Moderator, Electrical Bay Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 4,511 | I'm going to jump in with Mark and say 2 gal to be safe. Not knowing what sort of sprayer, etc you have it isn't easy at all to say but 1 gallon probably won't do it unless you can paint with almost no overspray. Also please keep in mind you may have wheels, front apron pieces, etc to paint also and I don't know if you're painting running boards to match or not. Plus there's a chance you might have to re-do something...a fender, door, etc. Good luck!
~ Jon
1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,886 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,886 | Ditto on "all the above". If you're doing the firewall, the door jambs, and all the peripheral bits and pieces, you're going to use up quite a bit of paint. Also be sure to use the proper reducer. It's going to be temperature-sensitive, so unless you're doing all the painting at once, you might need to use more than one type of reducer. Just a few degrees of temperature change can have a big influence on the type of reducer you'll need.
Jerry
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| | | | | Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 26 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 26 | Thanks for all the responses!! I will be doing the fender edges and door jambs so it sounds like another gallon. I have interior paint in the factory gray color for panels so that will eliminate some of the outside color usage. Thanks again - Jay Self
Last edited by Jay Self; 01/18/2026 1:41 AM. Reason: add clarification
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