How much paint does a typical 1:72 aircraft need?

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.

How much paint does a 1:35 tank need?

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.

Does brush painting use more paint than airbrushing?

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.

ModelCalcs

Paint Volume Calculator — Total Paint for a Model

Estimate total paint volume needed for a complete model build — primer, colour coats and clear coat.

Surface Area

Total surface area to be painted

Colour Coats

Value for colour coats

Method

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Include primer (1 coat)

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Include clear coat (2 coats)

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How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates the total paint volume across primer, colour and clear coats. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.