How many cans of spray paint for a dresser?
The top, drawer fronts and both sides of a 36 × 32 × 18 in dresser are 20.5 sq ft and need 4.1 cans of spray paint for two coats at 10 square feet per can: buy 5 cans.
How to work it out
- 36 in × 18 in × 1 face = 4.5 sq ft
- 36 in × 32 in × 1 face = 8 sq ft
- 18 in × 32 in × 2 faces = 8 sq ft
- Total 20.5 sq ft × 2 coats ÷ 10 sq ft per can = 4.1 → 5 cans
A three-drawer dresser 36 in wide, 32 in tall and 18 in deep has about 20 sq ft of visible surface: the top, the front with its drawer fronts, and the two sides. The back usually stays unpainted against the wall.
Adjust for your project
- Surface to paint (one coat)
- 20.5 sq ft
- Cans, before rounding up
- 4.1
- Rounded and spindly parts (legs, rungs, wicker, wire) waste a lot of spray past their edges. On those, buy one can more than the count.
- Spray in light passes 8–12 in from the surface, overlapping each pass by about half, and follow the can’s recoat window.
Cans by number of coats
| Coats | Cans, before rounding up | Cans of paint |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.05 | 3 cans |
| 2 | 4.1 | 5 cans |
| 3 | 6.15 | 7 cans |
What to know about spray painting a dresser
- Top: 4.5 sq ft. Front: 8 sq ft. Sides: 8 sq ft. 20.5 sq ft in all.
- Two coats: 4.1 cans. Five cans, with most of one left for touch-ups. With a can that really does 20 sq ft, about 2 cans; buy three to be safe.
- Drawer edges. Take the drawers out and spray the fronts flat, plus the top and side edges that show when they’re closed: about half a can more.
- Large flat panels are where spray looks blotchy if the passes are uneven. Keep the can moving, start and stop off the edge, and overlap each pass by half.
At four or more cans, compare a brush-on enamel: a quart covers about 88–100 sq ft per coat, enough for both coats on this dresser with plenty left, and it levels to a smoother finish on big flat surfaces. Spray wins on carved details and hardware. For a wooden chair to match, see how many cans of spray paint for a chair.
Painting kitchen cabinets instead of a single piece? The kitchen cabinet paint page works in quarts and gallons.
Different size? Use the full Spray Paint Calculator (How Many Cans?).
What you’ll need
- Spray paint and primer (12 oz)Budget price
For furniture, metal and small projects. Several light coats beat one heavy one; check the can for recoat windows.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Spray can trigger handleBudget price
Saves your finger on a multi-can job and gives steadier, more even passes.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Half-mask respirator with P100 filtersMid-range price
For sanding drywall and scraping old paint. EPA’s lead guidance for do-it-yourselfers names an N-100 respirator for pre-1978 work.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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Frequently asked questions
How many cans of spray paint for a nightstand?
A 20 × 24 × 16 in nightstand (10.9 sq ft) needs about 2.18 cans for two coats: 3 cans.
How many cans of spray paint for a dresser with three coats?
About 6.15 cans: buy 7 cans.
Other common sizes
Sources
- Do it Best, Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch 2X Ultra Cover 12 oz spray paint (listing 795171) (opens in a new tab) — Retailer listing of the manufacturer’s data: coverage area 12 sq ft in the spec table; the description says about 20–25 sq ft per can. Check your can’s label.