How much paint?

Speed Goat · #1 03-25-2018, 07:29 PM

Could I get an estimate of how many gallons are required to fully cover an RV 6,7,9? Thank you.

flytoday · #2 03-25-2018, 07:44 PM

Welcome to VAF. Is there a deep meaning to ?Speed Goat??

Carl

N661DJ · #3 03-26-2018, 05:10 AM

Speed,
A difficult question to answer, consider, brand of paint? some brands, Dupont, claim 1 coat coverage ??.
Equipment used? Conventional spray guns or HVLP guns? HVLP's usually use less material as they don't atomize as fine and less paint goes out the exhaust fan.
Colors? dark colors cover better and usually require less paint to achieve desired results. Whites and yellows usually require additional coats.
Underlaying primer/sealers, a good idea is to use a sealer that is close to the top coat color, example, if you are painting a plane yellow or red, I would recommend paint the plane white first then top coating with the desired color.
Depending on technique and experience with a paint gun, you should be able to apply 1 coat using 2 to 3 quarts of sprayable/mixed paint.
Do the math, primer/sealer, 2 coats each, base color top coat 2 to 3 coats, trim, usually a quart will suffice. Clear coat ?, 2 to 3 coats.
Again, this is only an estimate, I am sure there are guys that will say they can doo it with less or more paint.
I have painted a lot of planes, hundreds, and this is only my estimate.
Dick

Speed Goat · #4 03-27-2018, 08:20 AM

Thank you, any guidance is a great help.

scottmillhouse · #5 03-27-2018, 12:13 PM

As others said it depends on what paints you use and of course how thick you put it on. For another data point: On my last two planes I used about 9 quarts as mixed to spray white epoxy primer (3 quart epoxy kits makes 9 quarts mixed to spray) to preKote treated aluminum and fully filled fiberglass, 12 quarts Aerothane single stage urethane top coat. Fiberglass was about a gallon of heavy build urethane primer with much of it sanded off to provide a smooth base for top coating.

9GT · #6 03-27-2018, 04:36 PM

First off, I had no experience painting a plane before my RV-10. I measured the square footage I needed for primer, checked the manufactures coverage rate per gallon per coat, multiplied that by two for 2 coats, then added 50% for waste and overspray. I used a single stage urethane in several colors. I estimated the required square footage for each, went by manufactures rates, planned for 4 coats, and again added 50% for waste and overspray. I had some extra but since it was a shipped product, I did not want to run out during the painting process and have to pay an additional hazmat shipping charge. I?ve used most of the leftover paint on other projects.

Ces 140 · #7 03-27-2018, 04:53 PM

1.5 gal for single base color of white going over gray primer Axalta AF 400 and trim colors 1 quart for minimal striping

Bavafa · #8 03-27-2018, 06:12 PM

I would be very interested in the responses here as well for a base/clear type paint. I am planning on painting myself and some of the paint seem to be very expensive ($2500 a gallon) so would not be wanting to buy too much and leave it on the shelf.

b727capt · #9 09-12-2018, 11:52 AM

Does anyone have an estimate for just the interior? I would like to paint the firewall stiffeners before I rivet them on and would like to order enough paint to complete the rest of the interior when I get that far.

Bavafa · #10 09-12-2018, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b727capt

Does anyone have an estimate for just the interior? I would like to paint the firewall stiffeners before I rivet them on and would like to order enough paint to complete the rest of the interior when I get that far.

I think one quart would be enough for the interior of a two seater model.