Finish coverage question

[dlminehart]

When General Finishes (or whoever) says that coverage (paint, urethane, whatever) is X sq ft per quart, and that one should use at least 3 coats, does that mean your quart will cover X sq ft at least 3 times or just once?

I'm trying to figure out how much finish I'll need for refinishing my bunk bed, and this coverage issue can make a difference of 3x or 4x! As in, buying a quart or a gallon.

[MikeMcCoy]

I sprayed three coats of Waterlox on the bunk beds I did not long ago and used about 2/3's of a quart. (HVLP sprayer)

[Mr__Bill]

When General Finishes (or whoever) says that coverage (paint, urethane, whatever) is X sq ft per quart, and that one should use at least 3 coats, does that mean your quart will cover X sq ft at least 3 times or just once?

My understanding is: Coverage is per coat applied in the manner specified by the manufacturer.

That said, loss do to brush cleaning, spillage and painting the wrong room is not factored in. I seem to use more finish to get the look I want, perhaps I just sand off to much at each coat, and plan on getting twice as much as called for on small projects and at least a gallon more if a project is expected to use several gallons. I know this is often overkill but running out prior to finishing the job often costs more in time money and aggravation. I know I am mixing paint and clear finish here but the formula seems to hold for both. Stain is another matter, I usually custom mix and have either gobs of it left over or just a little short.

Bill, on the Sunny Oregon Coast, who is waiting for some sun so he can apply some lacquer.

[cabinetman]

The coverage listed on the can is a suggestion of coverage of what's in the can however you apply it...in one coat or two, or three.
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[herb fellows]

If the can coverage says 300 sq ft, and that's how much territory you have to cover, and you want to do 3 coats, that's 3 cans.

[dlminehart]

Mike, how happy are you with how the Waterlox finish turned out? I assume that's a water-borne polyurethane, similar to what I'm intending to use.

[MikeMcCoy]

David,

The young lady and the recipients of the beds were very happy which means I was also. In this case, I used the Original Waterlox and it seems to be holding up well, even on the bed ladder.