Find out how much touch-up paint to order using the chart below, or click the chart to download the PDF. Scroll down under the chart to see more considerations that may affect how much paint is needed to paint a car, truck, van, or SUV.
Please note that this is a general guideline on how much paint to paint a car, assuming that you have a small or medium-sized car. We create these estimates to be as accurate as possible, but we are not responsible if you order too much or not enough automotive paint for your repair job.
What Can Influence How Much Paint You Need?
Technique
When applying the automotive paint, how close are you to the car? If you're too close, it won't be even; you'll need more to cover the thin areas. If you're too far away, you'll get some overspray and some of your paint will go downwind.
Panel Size
Some bumpers are huge, while others are small. Cars aren't perfectly proportional. One car may have a huge bumper in the front and a small one in the back. Some cars have a huge hood and a smaller bumper.
Paint Color
Some auto paint colors cover better than others. Today's lead-free red, yellow, and orange don't cover as well as paints from the olden days. Light silver doesn't cover as well as gray, black, or white. Our colors have some of the best coverage on the market, but each color may have different hiding properties. When calculating how much paint to paint a car, consider how many coats may need to be applied. Always confirm the automotive paint code before ordering.
Spray Guns
The efficiency of automotive spray paint guns varies, with professional-grade models proving more efficient than some consumer models. Not many, if any, consumer models can beat a $500 professional spray gun used in a body shop.
Urethane
Urethane clear coat goes further than lacquer. If using a lacquer clear coat, please order 50-100% more product.
Estimated Touch-Up Paint Quantities by Panel
Ready-to-Spray Paint Coverage
- Front Bumper Cover: 14 ounces base color, 16 ounces clear coat
- Hood: 16 ounces base color, 16 ounces clear coat
- Fender: 10 ounces base color, 12 ounces clear coat
- Mirror: 6 ounces base color, 8 ounces clear coat
- Front Door: 10 ounces base color, 12 ounces clear coat
- Rear Side Door: 8 ounces base color, 10 ounces clear coat
- Quarter Panel: 8 ounces base color, 10 ounces clear coat
- Sail Panel: 6 ounces base color, 8 ounces clear coat
- Rear Hatch/SUV Trunk: 14 ounces base color, 14 ounces clear coat
- Rear Bumper Cover: 16 ounces base color, 16 ounces clear coat
- Trunk: 12 ounces base color, 14 ounces clear coat
- Roof: 14 ounces base color, 16 ounces clear coat
- Rocker: 6 ounces base color, 8 ounces clear coat
Aerosol Spray Paint Coverage
- Front Bumper Cover: 3 cans base color, 4 cans clear coat
- Hood: 3 cans base color, 4 cans clear coat
- Fender: 2 cans base color, 3 cans clear coat
- Mirror: 1 can base color, 1 can clear coat
- Front Door: 2 cans base color, 2 cans clear coat
- Rear Side Door: 2 cans base color, 2 cans clear coat
- Quarter Panel: 2 cans base color, 2 cans clear coat
- Sail Panel: 1 can base color, 1 can clear coat
- Rear Hatch/SUV Trunk: 3 cans base color, 4 cans clear coat
- Rear Bumper Cover: 3 cans base color, 4 cans clear coat
- Trunk: 3 cans base color, 3 cans clear coat
- Roof: 3 cans base color, 4 cans clear coat
- Rocker: 1 can base color, 1 can clear coat