How Much Paint do you need?
Use the easy steps below to determine the right amount of paint to purchase:
1. Measure the perimeter of your room (length and width). Add all 4 numbers together.
2. Multiply the perimeter by the height.
3. Deduct windows and doors. An average window is approximately
1.5m2 and an average door is 2.5m2
4. Divide by 14.
Top Tip
Length + Length + Width + Width = Total Perimeter
Always round up
to ensure that you
have enough paint
to complete the job.
The PASCOL
table below isPAINT
a guide to
the number of FOR
litres required
REQUIRED
WALLS
per coat. Actual usage ONE
will vary
depending
COAT
ONLYon application
technique,
surface
textureofand
porosity.
(Based
on coverage
16 square
metres per litre by brush)
Wall Height
- Height in metres
Wall Dimensions
- Distance in metres around the room
10m
12m
14m
16m
18m
20m
22m
2.5 L
3.0L
3.5L
4.0L
4.5L
5.0L
5.5L
3.7m
2.5L
3.0 L
3.5L
3.5L
4.0L
4.5L
5.0L
3.4m
2.0 L
2.5L
3.0L
3.5L
4.0L
4.5L
4.5L
3.1m
2.0L
2.5 L
3.0L
3.0L
3.5L
4.0L
4.5L
2.8m
2.0L
2.0L
2.5L
3.0L
3.0L
3.5L
4.0L
2.5m
1.5L
2.0 L
2.5L
3.0L
3.0L
3.5L
3.5L
1.5 L
2.0L
2.0L
2.5L
2.5L
3.0L
3.5L
4.0m
2.2m
When using this table: Wood Primer, Undercoat and other
finishes on porous or textured surfaces cover less than
14 square metres per litre. As a guide allow 20%
more on rough and porous surfaces.
L = Litres per coat
Length
Width
Heig
ht
Which Sheen Level to Use
Knowing the characteristics and functions of each sheen level will help you select the
best for your project. Wet areas like Kitchens, Bathrooms and Laundries need a more
serviceable paint to resist steam, moisture and cooking stains.
Wall
Ceiling
Sheen Level
Matt
Low
Sheen
Satin
Flat
Traffic Area
Low to
Medium
Low to
High
Med to
High
N/A
Living Rooms
**
***
**
***
Bedrooms
***
***
***
Media Rooms
***
**
***
Bathrooms
*
***
Laundry
*
***
*
Kitchen
*
***
*
**
*
***
Kid’s Rooms
*
***
***
***
**
*
Hallways
Feature Walls
* Good
** Better *** Best
Choosing the Right Prepcoat
STAINS
METAL
TIMBERS
MASONRY/OTHERS
PREVIOUSLY PAINTED SURFACES
Primers, sealers and undercoats not only provide a good surface for the paint by helping to even
out the surface porosity, but may also maximise adhesion and opacity of the finish coats. Some
have unique qualities for specific substrates or surfaces and are available in water based or oil
based formulas. Using a high-quality Wattyl preparatory product ensures maximum adhesion and
an even finish with more accurate colours. It’s easy with Wattyl. It can actually save you time and
money too!
Surface to be painted
Final Finish
Undercoat or Sealer (Prepcoat)
Surfaces previously painted with oil based paint
Oil or water based
Wattyl Aqua Prep Primer Sealer Undercoat
Surfaces previously painted with oil based paint
Oil based
Wattyl Master Prep Multi Purpose Undercoat
Timber surfaces previously painted with water
based or oil based paint
Water based
S pot prime any correctly prepared bare timber areas with Wattyl Aqua Prep Acrylic Timber Primer
Timber surfaces previously painted with water
based or oil based paint
Oil based
S pot prime any correctly prepared bare timber areas with Wattyl Master Prep Timber Primer
Previously painted ferrous metal surfaces
Oil or water based
Spot prime bare metal areas with Wattyl Master Prep Metal Primer
Previously painted galvanised steel,
Zincalume®, zinc anneal, aluminium
Oil or water based
Spot Prime bare areas with Wattyl Aqua Prep Galvanised Iron Primer
Bare cement render, brick, fibre cement,
masonry
Oil or water based
Wattyl
Aqua Prep Acrylic Sealer Undercoat or Wattyl Aqua Prep Primer Sealer Undercoat
Bare cement render, brick, fibre cement, masonry
Oil based
Wattyl Master Prep Pigmented Sealer
New set plaster, fibrous plaster
Oil or water based
Wattyl Master Prep Pigmented Sealer
Chalky paint
Oil or water based
Wattyl Master Prep Surface Binder
Kalsomine
Oil or water based
Wattyl Master Prep Surface Binder
New paper-faced plasterboard
Oil or water based
Wattyl Aqua Prep Acrylic Sealer Undercoat
or Wattyl Aqua Prep Primer Sealer Undercoat
Interior Bare timber
Oil based
Wattyl Master Prep Multi Purpose Undercoat
or Wattyl Aqua Prep Primer Sealer Undercoat
Interior Bare timber
Water based
Wattyl Aqua Prep Primer Sealer Undercoat or Wattyl Aqua Prep Acrylic Sealer Undercoat
Hardboard
Oil or water based
Wattyl Master Prep Multi Purpose Undercoat
or Wattyl Master Prep Pigmented Sealer
Interior Bare MDF
Oil or water based
Wattyl Aqua Prep Primer Sealer Undercoat
Exterior Bare timber
Water based
Wattyl Aqua Prep Acrylic Timber Primer
Exterior Bare timber
Oil based
Wattyl Master Prep Timber Primer or Wattyl Aqua Prep Acrylic Timber Primer; either must be followed
by Wattyl Master Prep Multi Purpose Undercoat
Galvanised steel, Zincalume®,
zinc anneal, aluminium
Oil or water based
Wattyl Aqua Prep Galvanised Iron Primer Stainless steel, copper, brass
Oil or water based
Killrust Etch Primer
Ferrous metals
Oil or water based
Wattyl Master Prep Metal Primer or Killrust Heavy Duty Metal Primer
Aluminium
Oil or water based
Wattyl Master Prep Metal Primer White or Killrust Etch Primer
Smoke, water, tannin, bitumen stains
Oil or water based
Wattyl Master Prep Stain Sealer
Timber dye stains
Oil or water based
Wattyl Aqua Prep
Primer Sealer Undercoat
Choosing the Right Prepcoat
Choosing the right product and surface preparation leads to a perfect finish. Wattyl offers a comprehensive prep-coat range to
suit all surfaces. From timber to metal, from surface binder to stain sealer, Wattyl has all your needs covered. And best of all,
we offer you a choice of oil based or water based preparations. No one knows preparation like Wattyl.
Water based, water wash-up
A range of high performance preparatory products designed for
specialist applications with the convenience of being water based
for easy wash-up.
Primer Sealer Undercoat
Multipurpose, superior adhesion
without sanding
•Easy application and quick drying
•Preferred undercoat for Aquatrim for superior gloss hold out
•Excellent sandability to give a smooth finish
•Use with water based or oil based finish coats
•Interior and exterior application
Acrylic Sealer Undercoat
Ideal broadwall sealer and undercoat
•Fast drying • Sands easily
•Provides a sound base for finish coats
•Use with water based or oil based finish coats
•Interior and exterior application
Oil based, turps clean-up
A traditional solvent based preparatory range of high performance
primers, undercoats and specialist sealers.
Multi-Purpose Undercoat
High cover undercoat for enamel finishes
•Fills minor imperfections and provides excellent hiding
•Excellent sanding for a smooth, even finish
•Superior gloss holdout of enamel finish coats
•Interior and exterior application
Timber Primer White/Pink
Penetrates and nourishes timber for lasting protection
•Excellent stain blocking on tannin rich timber
•Excellent adhesion for enamel finish coats
•Minimises cracking and peeling of finish coats
•Interior and exterior application
Acrylic Timber Primer
Metal Primer White/Red Oxide
Protects against timber cracking
and tannin bleed
Zinc phosphate, anti-corrosive
metal primer
•Locks in tannin and stops bleeding through finish coats
•Resists cracking and peeling of finish coats
•Use with water based and oil based finish coats
•Interior and exterior application
•Superior adhesion for priming ferrous metal surfaces (iron, mild steel)
•Anti-corrosive for improved metal protection
•Use with water based or oil based finish coats
•Interior and exterior application
Galvanised Iron Primer
Pigmented Sealer
Superior adhesion to galvanised iron
Specialist sealer for set plaster
and cement render
•Primes most non-ferrous metals, (galvanised
steel, zincalume®, zinc anneal, aluminium)
•Resists white rust formation
•Use with water or oil based finish coats
•Interior and exterior application
Spirit based, metho clean-up
Stain Sealer
Fast drying stain barrier coat
•Blocks stain transfer to finish coat
•Binds back smoke, water, cooking and oil stains
•Use with water based or oil based finish coats
•Interior use only
•Promotes adhesion on absorbent surfaces
•Promotes paint from alkali attack on set plaster
•Use with water based or oil based finish coats
•Interior and exterior application
Surface Binder
Binds weathered, chalky and
powdery surfaces
•Promotes adhesion on powdery, kalsomine surfaces
•Promotes adhesion on chalky weathered paints
•Use with water based or
oil based finish coats
•Interior and exterior
application
Choosing the Right Prepcoat
Preparing the surface
Proper surface preparation is just as crucial as proper painting practices.
The great majority of paint failures are attributed to inadequate surface preparation.
1
3
2
1. It is essential that the
surface to be painted is
clean and dry.
2. Be sure to repair any
surface imperfections/
damage.
•
•
Gaps and seams: Fill all
cracks and seams with
paintable acrylic gap
sealer. Prime the area.
•
Holes: Fill all holes with
patching compound and
sand smooth. Prime the
area.
•
Removal of dirt, dust
and grease: Clean
surface with a cleaner
such as household
detergent and water or
sugar soap (if greasy or
heavily soiled) and rinse
thoroughly.
Glossy surfaces: Sand
glossy surfaces until
dull with sandpaper
to promote adhesion.
3. Peeling Paint
Scrape or sand to
completely remove any
peeling paint. Feather
sand to a smooth edge
and remove dust. Prime
the area.