What Does
Practical Coverage Mean?
Practical coverage refers to the quantitative determination of the amount of paint required to protect a given metal substrate area against corrosion. Practical coverage calculations take into account variable losses in both the paint container and to the external atmosphere.
Corrosionpedia Explains Practical Coverage
The practical coverage of a coating is calculated using the following formula or similar variations:
Practical Coverage = Theoretical Coverage x (1 – Loss Factor)
For example, when given the theoretical coverage of 100 square feet per gallon at a recommended dry film thickness and a loss factor of 30%, the practical coverage is determined as follows:
100 sq. ft./gal x (1 – 0.30) = 70 sq. ft. / gallon