ModelCalcs.uk
Paint Volume Calculator — Total Paint for a Model
Estimate total paint volume needed for a complete model build — primer, colour coats and clear coat.
Most plastic kits need 1 primer coat for paint adhesion (adjust count in Advanced Options)
Gloss or matt varnish to seal decals and protect weathering (adjust count in Advanced Options)
How We Calculate This
This calculator estimates the total paint volume across primer, colour and clear coats. Effective consumption rates are approximately 0.01ml/cm² per coat for airbrush, 0.012ml/cm² for brush, and 0.015ml/cm² for spray cans. The total is the sum of all layers multiplied by their respective coat counts.
These are rough estimates only. Real consumption varies with thinning ratio, technique, cup priming and overspray — rattle cans in particular can lose 60-80% of paint to overspray (conventional spray transfer efficiency is only 20-30%), so treat the spray-can figure as a minimum and buy a spare can for large or repeated jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 1:72 single-engine fighter has about 150-200 cm² of surface area. Using an airbrush with 1 coat of primer, 2 colour coats and 2 clear coats, you would need about 7-10ml of paint total across all types. A single 17ml Vallejo bottle provides enough for the main colour with paint to spare.
A 1:35 medium tank has roughly 500-800 cm² of surface area. Total paint consumption for primer + 2 colour coats + 2 clear coats is approximately 25-40ml. You will need at least 2 pots of your main colour.
Yes, slightly. Brush painting typically uses about 20% more paint than airbrushing because the paint film is thicker per coat. However, brush painting has zero overspray waste, partially offsetting the difference.
Related Calculators
Primer Calculator
Estimate primer quantity needed based on model surface area and application method.
Weathering Wash Mix Calculator
Calculate paint-to-thinner ratio, wash volume, drying time and coat count for oil, enamel and acrylic panel line washes by scale and surface area.
Spray Coverage Calculator
Estimate how much spray paint or primer you need for your model surface area.
Paint Quantity Calculator
Calculate paint quantities for model kits including per-colour amounts, total volume, thinner, primer and pots to buy.
Clear Coat Calculator
Calculate how much clear coat (gloss, satin, matt) you need for your model.
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Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.