Technical > Home Improvement > How Much Paint Needed?

How Much Paint Needed?

reply to Lurch77
»www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto···Id=10053

"To accurately estimate the amount of paint you need to cover your walls and trim, just fill in the blanks and hit "calculate" to tabulate your results. Paint is sold in quarts, gallons and five gallon quantities."

"350 square feet per gallon is the industry average. If you know the exact number for your specific paint, enter it."

--
nohup rm -fr /&

reply to Lurch77
It always takes 1/2 gallon more than whatever amount you buy.
--
...because I care.

reply to Lurch77
I had a paint job go wrong once because I did not buy enough paint, and when I went to buy additional paint the new batch, although supposedly the same color, did not match the old batch and I had to buy enough to do the whole job over. Now I use a large bucket to mix all of a color together, and then return it to smaller buckets. I've also found it to be helpful to have primer tinted to the same color as the job in those cases where it is used. Finally, good brushes and rollers can make a difference. I still hate to paint, though.

reply to Lurch77
When we built our house (had it built) back in '75, I contracted to paint it myself (the interior). What I did was count the number of sheets of drywall before it was installed, and used the coverage number on the can. I think it was ~300 sq.ft. When we were all done, I had about a third of a gallon left over. My advice, consequently, is to use the coverage data on the paint can and go from there, allowing some for error. It's better to have a little too much than too little. The so-called "one coat" paints don't take kindly to being "worked out" or "stretched" too much so the second coat, in general, won't be appreciably less than the first.

Also, if you're painting the whole house, you might want to think about getting 5-gallon buckets instead of gallon cans. There's some savings to be realized there. Of course, if you're using a dozen different colors/tints that may not be feasible for you. And as was mentioned above, mix all your tinted colors together for color consistency. Even if they were all mixed at the same time, chances are, there will be some variation in the hues from can to can.

But, to answer your question, I'd use 300 sq. ft./gal as a rule of thumb. Also, unless you're using a custom tint, you can return unopened cans if you don't need them.
--
Keep your eye on the ball, your shoulder to the wheel, your nose to the grindstone, and your ear to the ground. Now, try to work in that position!!!

The whole house was sprayed white when it was built, knowing that we were not going to paint color for a couple years. Now we are adding color. Room by room, and sometimes wall by wall. So the big buckets of paint won't work this time around.

And yes, I hate painting too. Actually, I hate the masking and clean up more than the actual painting.

I don't mind running a brush or roller... but, like you, I hate the prep and cleanup.

reply to Lurch77
Especially since you don't like painting, make sure you buy a very good quality paint. Don't buy it from one of the big box stores because their paints just aren't as good. Buy one of the leading name brands such as Sherwin Williams, Porter, Benjamin Moore, etc. and even then don't buy their cheapest line.

It's well worth it in the long run because you won't have to redo it as soon and it will look better.

reply to Lurch77
If you ever think you will run out, before you do, finish at least one wall prior. Then get another can. Also what is the previous color, dark or light, if dark you will need a grey primer to hide it.

reply to Msradell
I recently painted an off-white wall with a more eggshell color paint. However, when the sun shines on the wall, I can see roller overlap and striping. What did I do wrong? Cheap paint and/or roller?
--
CRUNCH THIS!

reply to nunya

reply to bkjohnson

reply to Msradell

To the best of my knowledge, not that inexpensively. But I also did not ask. I was following specific instructions from the experienced contractor. He had nothing to gain in sending me to H.D. for samples when it was already decided that he was using Sherwin Williams paint.

A quick google on "sherwin williams paint samples cost" yielded an article that said about $5 a sample, and quart-sized. So more for your money, I suppose. But it would have run me $24 more overall for twelve samples.

But let me also tell you how I had to take the remainder of the 12 pints I bought, and carefully mix in kitty litter to absorb it to make it safe to dispose. Would have been that much worse with quarts.
--
nohup rm -fr /&

reply to sempergoofy
I have used Behr for our shed. The paint seemed quality, went on well, and has held up for a year now. I read somewhere that Behr is a consumer reports recommended brand. Regardless, I was happy with it.

That said, I just finished a couple kitchen walls with Sherwin Williams Classic99 interior latex, in Lemon Twist tint. Very happy with the application quality. The color is definitely going to brighten up that room.

The new kitchen/dining color. What can I say? It's definitely.......bright. But you never ever disagree with the wife. By the time I was done I am kind of digging it.

reply to Lurch77