How Many Gallons Of Paint For A Two-Car Garage?

If it's time to think about repainting the garage, you're probably wondering how much paint you will need for a two-car garage. We have looked up the numbers and information to share to ensure you get the right amount of paint you'll need for the project.

The average two-car garage generally ranges between 400-720 square feet. A gallon of paint states that it covers around 400 square feet. Therefore, you would need 2-4 gallons of paint to cover a two-car garage thoroughly if you plan to add a second coat to the walls. 

If you still have some additional questions, don't worry. In this post, we'll discuss the topic in more detail. Keep reading to find more helpful information to help you get ready for your painting project. You will find answers to many questions that people ask before painting their garages.

Five gallon paint bucket and a roller brush on the floor, How Many Gallons Of Paint For A Two-Car Garage?

How big is a 2-car garage?

Two-car garages can vary in size, but the most popular size is 24' x 24' which is 576 square feet. This dimension is enough room to comfortably park two vehicles and not worry about opening the doors and banging into things. It even leaves room for a small workspace and adequate storage space.

Empty garage with working equipment

If you have an oversized vehicle, the larger common size, 24' x 30' which is 720 square feet. These may be the dimensions that work best for you. The smallest standard size for a two-car garage is 20' x 20' which is 400 square feet. These dimensions are tight and require careful parking, but it still works.

However, to make an accurate calculation for paint, you must first figure out the exact size of your specific garage which may be different than the standard dimensions listed. To calculate the square footage, measure the length and width of the walls and multiply them together.

This calculation may factor in square footage that you won't paint, but it's much better to overestimate the size rather than underestimate and run out of paint.

What is the average cost for paint for a two-car garage?

The cost depends on if you plan to DIY the project or hire a professional painter. It also depends on where you live.

The average cost is $1-$4 per square foot. The majority of the cost is labor if you hire the job done. Professional painters charge an average of $20-$50 per hour of labor plus the cost of supplies.

Some online calculators give you an estimated cost based on your zip code and the square footage of your garage. It also breaks down the estimate based on standard services and gives you a high and low estimate. Using one might give you an approximate cost to compare against quotes.

If you are going with the DIY approach, labor costs aren't a concern. You purchase the paint and supplies and get started.

Based on the calculation that a gallon of paint covers around 400 square feet, you will need a minimum of two gallons of paint to cover your two-car garage. The cost of a gallon of paint will vary by brand name, type, and retailer.

Below is the current average price of popular brands of paint used on garage walls. The costs listed are for a standard white latex interior paint from various retailers. Some choices include primer while others don't to better show the cost range.

  • Behr Pro i300 Dead Flat Interior: $20.98
  • Sherwin Williams Superpaint Interior Latex with Primer: $66.49-$71.49
  • Benjamin Moore ben Waterborne Interior Flat with Primer: $46.99
  • Valspar The Perfect White Latex with Primer: $39.48
  • Glidden High Endurance Plus Grab-n-Go White Interior with Primer: $32.97

It's best to prime your walls before painting, so don't forget to factor the primer into your overall cost. You can also purchase paint with primer already added to the formula.

It may cost more than regular paint per gallon, but you have to consider the cost of buying paint and primer separately. Also, you save time using a 2-in-1 product which is incalculable.

Don't forget the supplies. You will need a roller brush, long handle, paint pan, drop cloths, brushes for trim work, and painter's tape. You can also use a sprayer if you have one.

What kind of paint do you use in a garage?

Dappled sunlight on the stone epoxy garage floor

It may depend on what kind of walls you have in your garage. Many homes have drywall on their walls and ceiling to meet fire codes. Therefore, your favorite interior paint will also work in the garage.

Many professionals recommend an interior acrylic latex paint because it dries quickly, has a slight odor, and can be thinned. The second choice would be an interior oil-based enamel paint that takes longer to dry has a strong smell and requires paint thinner to dilute.

For the sheetrock, you want a primer with PVA to fill in any porous holes and create a smooth surface for the paint.

Some experts recommend using exterior paint because your garage area is exposed to the outer elements, especially if you leave the garage door open frequently. Also, this space experiences more wear and tear, which exterior paint withstands better.

If you have an alternative product on your garage walls, that might mean that a different type of paint might work better. Check the can to see if it is suitable for your surface.

How long does it take to paint a two-car garage?

Building contractor painting grey wall with roller brush

The time can depend on how much help you have and how much experience you have in painting.

There is a process to painting, and each step takes time. A professional painter should have no problem applying one coat of paint to a 400 square-foot area in under 30 minutes. For a novice DIYer, you should probably allow an hour for each coat of paint. Then you have additional layers and trim work to finish up.

It also depends on the stage that the drywallers left your garage walls. Garage walls on new construction are typically not finished to the same level as your interior walls. Therefore, your painter needs to complete more work than just painting before painting to give it a quality finished look.

Cleaning

You need to have room to move around while you paint. Remove as much stuff as possible from the garage area while you paint. Doing this makes it easier to get the job done and protects your cars and other items from getting wet paint on them.

Second, clean the surfaces you plan to paint. You always need to start with a clean surface when painting. Since garages typically get a bit dirtier than house interiors, you want to make sure to wipe down all the walls and ceiling to remove any dirt, debris, cobwebs, or even grime.

Prepping

Prep your area by using drop cloths to avoid paint on your floors. Also, use painter's tape around light switches, outlets, and trim to cover any surfaces from unwanted paint.

If you need painter's tape, consider Duck Brand Clean Release.

Find painter's tape on Amazon.

Priming

Keep in mind that bare drywall is going to soak in the primer. If you don't use primer, expect to add several coats of paint because the paint will also soak in. Priming the surface will seal it so that you need less paint.

Painting

The fastest way to apply your paint is with a sprayer if you have one. If not, you can use a roller brush to cover most of the wall space quickly. You can also use a broad brush, but this will take much more time.

Trim

Trim work takes time because it is tedious and takes a steady hand and plenty of patience. You can't rush good trim work.

Trim work is where you have to get into all the nooks and tight spaces that you couldn't do with the broad strokes of the roller or brush. You are also up against the edges, so you don't want stray marks.

To help keep your trim clean, consider using an edger tool. If you don't have one, consider this one from Shur-line.

Find an edger on Amazon.

Cleanup

Cleanup depends on how well you prepped the area and how well you did the trim work. If you were messy, you would have stray paint marks to wipe off and possibly repaint.

If all goes well, then you can pick up your drop cloths, store your paint, clean your brushes, and call it a day.

Can you paint unfinished garage walls?

A garage is considered finished if it has insulation, drywall, trim, and paint. If it isn't finished, that doesn't mean that you can't paint even if you don't want drywall. Avoid glossy or satin paints in the garage.

If painting cinderblock, you might want to consider spraying it because it makes it easier to get the paint into the pores and crevices. Expect to need 2-3 layers to get everything covered. You still want to use a primer made for concrete.

If you are painting particleboard, primer is everything. You need to smooth out the surface and seal it, otherwise you will end up using a lot of paint. However, for particleboard, a water-based primer will cause the board to swell. Stick with a solvent-based primer.

Should you paint your garage ceiling?

Automatic garage door opener motor on the ceiling

If you have a finished ceiling, the decision to paint it may depend on the type of ceiling you have. If you have a regular drywall ceiling, painting it will give your garage a finished look. Use ceiling paint for this task. White or another light color is the best choice.

If your garage has another type of ceiling like drop panels, then paint should not be necessary.

To Wrap it Up

Some people paint their garage space to give it a finished look. If you decide to paint your garage, you can hire a professional or take a day and knock it out.

For information about painting in your garage area, read this post: Should You Paint The Garage Floor?

Also, consider reading this post: Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Walls [Indoor And Outdoor Applications]

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