Painters: How much paint do I need to buy for my spider?

[joseph]

I'm doing door jambs and exterior only ( not a frame off complete) and modern paints are EXPENSIVE! I'd hate to pay 500 bucks for a whole gallon of base coat and have half of it sitting around wasted. They price paint high enough per qt so that anything over 2 qts triggers the "might as well just get a gallon" dilemma. Is 2 qts of color enough?

Also, I need to match "876 Azzura Met" in modern paints. Do any of the major companies have a readily available cross for this in modern paints?

Thanks

[azruss]

the new paints all use a different metallic than the old ones. current is more like a pearl. however, you should be able to find something very close if not exact. If you arent worried about a perfect match then find a factory mix, so it can be matched in the future. go to you local auto paint store and start pouring thru their books and books of colors to find something close. take a sample and look at it in the sunlight, not under the flourescents. The amount of paint is a tough call as many of the colors are very transparent and need more coverage then something like black. Might be able to get by with 2 qts. From the painting that i do, 2 qts isnt enough. probably can do 3 qts. by then you might as well buy the gallon as they will be about the same price. best thing to do is talk to a paint shop that is familiar with that size of car. I hear comments from people who wished they had added extra color as the transperency becomes evident over time.

[htchevyii]

My experience has been the same, 3 quarts is the same price as a gallon, so I usually get a gallon so I have extra. It really does depend on the color, though. With a color that covers well 2 quarts would do it, especially if you have your sealer tinted to a similar color.

[LStevens]

Get a gallon, you'll need some for touch up and if anything happens ie; fender bender, you'll need paint to match. Though metallic is difficult and near impossible to match, at least you'd have the same color mixture. I just had mine painted and have about a quart left in the can.