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How much paint to paint my truck

22K views 14 replies 9 participants last post by  raytio32  
#1 ·
So I've always wanted a black colorado with the ideas I got going on i think it would look better. Exactly how much paint do I need to do a solid paint job on the truck. Standard cab. Would 1 gallon do it?
 
#3 ·
1 gallon unreduced will make 2 gallons sprayable if using a 50/50 mix. That should be plenty if applying 3 coats, which is standard operating procedure. Do the inside of the bed last to make sure you have plenty for the exterior. Clear coat should be the same. 1 gallon clear with 1 quart hardener and 1 quart reducer will make 1.5 gallon sprayable.
 
#5 ·
Depending on what brand (PPG, DuPont, Sherwin-Williams) 1 gal. should be plenty. I use Transtar and I can get by on 3 qts. of base typically. You can buy clear in a kit usually (clear, activator & reducer). Also depends on the color as well - your metallics will take more color to cover but be sure to use a quality sealer before base - it seals not only the primer but will aid in color coverage and most sealers you can tint to the base. Don't skimp on the clear - spend the money and get a quality clear! I like PPG but Sherwin-Williams makes a good clear as well. :thumbup:
 
#6 ·
i have a concept id like to do. inside the bed leave yellow. inside my door jambs.under the hood..id have to rethink alot to get the right combination of yellow accent..dont get me wrong..yellow and black together is my favorite..but id rather have ablack truck with yellow than a yellow truck with black....and by doing that..i should be able to save some paint i would think
 
#8 ·
What do you mean by "ready to spray"? Already reduced? You need to be careful because you're at the mercy of the mixer that the ratio is correct and you go to spray and you have it blow up in your face, i.e. incorrect mix ratio and then you're in deep doodoo. :ugh:
 
#10 ·
This has got me thinking. Whats involved in doing a color change? Pull the bed off, Doors offf, Hood off, Fenders off ect. I want to go to a blue metallic. I have a Crew Cab and would not be painting my bed because it has a roll-on bed liner
 
#11 ·
To do it correctly, you take the truck COMPLETELY apart. That means glass out, bed, doors, hood, fenders, everything apart and spray everything individually. That's the ONLY way to do a REAL paint job. Mine is getting done this winter and it is labor intensive but well worth it :thumbup:
 
#12 ·
I pulled my fenders, doors, and hood off... left the bed on though. I sprayed 3 coats on the entire truck, jambs, inside of fenders, and underside of hood with 1 gallon and had a little left over. I did not paint the inside of the bed since I have a liner. I think I had plenty left to do it though if I had wanted.

I'm not a painter though, and that's a single stage paint, not BC/CC, so take that with a grain of salt.
 
#13 ·
so i guess when the time comes ill get a gallon and just see how that goes..and get the cab and bed first that way i knock out the bigger portions first..small parts not a big deal if i run out mid way
 
#14 ·
Using a black sealer would help a ton as mamba stated. Outside only, using a good black sealer, you could do it with 2.5 qts sprayable. But... If you have no idea about paint at all, you might want to rethink unless your paint is just totally thrashed and you want to try it out.

In all honesty, leave it to the pros!