Coating Tools
Free calculators for coverage, wet and dry film thickness, dew point and mix ratios.
Coverage & material estimator
How much coating will the job really take? Enter the area, target dry film thickness and the product’s volume solids.
Typical loss factors: roller/brush 5–15%, airless spray 20–35%, windy or complex steel 40%+.
- Theoretical coverage
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- Practical coverage
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- Wet film target
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- Total dry film
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Theoretical coverage = 1,604 × VS ÷ DFT (ft²/gal) or 10 × VS% ÷ DFT (m²/L). Always confirm against the product data sheet.
Wet ↔ dry film thickness
Find the wet film your applicator should read on a notch gauge to hit the specified dry film — including thinning.
Formula: WFT = DFT × (1 + thinner%) ÷ volume solids. Measure WFT immediately after application, per ASTM D4414.
- Effective solids (thinned)
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- Shrinkage on drying
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Dew point & go/no-go
Steel must be at least 5 °F (3 °C) above the dew point during application and early cure. Check your conditions before you mix.
- Surface margin
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- Humidity
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Mix ratio & partial kits
Split a multi-component kit accurately by volume — so you only mix what you can apply within the pot life.
Only split kits when the manufacturer permits it, and mix by the method on the data sheet (volume vs. weight).
Cost per square foot per year
Compare systems the way owners should: installed cost spread over the years of service you expect.
Use any currency — the results use the same one. Labor and access usually dominate; material is often a minority of the installed cost.
- Installed cost
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- Per unit area
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- Material needed
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- Material share
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Simple undiscounted estimate for comparison only. For investment decisions, use a discounted life-cycle analysis — see the life-cycle cost guide.