How much paint?

Any idea how much base and clear I need to buy for a DYI spray job? Ext cab… a gallon seems like way too much. Thanks

 

Seems like too little according to this article
https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a3110/a-diy-guide-to-painting-your-car-15998013/

 

I just painted 80 10’ x 6” exposure coarse, primed shiplap pine with a roller and brush for the house and I still have a fuzz left in the bottom of the gallon can. Very little overspray with the new hvlp guns. I can’t see using that much unless I spill it on the floor

 

Strictly amateur when it comes to painting, so I may not be the best reference here. Just passing along my experience with qty used.

I base coat/clear coated my extended cab and camper shell with a Harbor Freight HVLP gun at about 35psi. Bought 1 gallon of paint plus all the fixins. I primed it too, but I can't remember how much primer I bought. Cut the paint per the instructions.

Painted the shell last and had to go really thin on the top in order to have enough.

 

I don't know squat about painting but I did some reading after your query and it seems your planks and vehicle painting are two different animals and you maybe don't want to get caught short of paint supply in the midst of your paint job? I thought I read a "medium-sized vehicle" would take at least 1 1/2 gallons.

 

I painted the roof, a+c pillar, and hood of my truck using two quarts of base sprayed with an HVLP.

Paid about $97 a quart for Motobase I think. House of Kolor was close to $150 a quart.