Finishing worked example

Coating Solids at 5.75% target solids: a worked example

What does the result look like when target solids reaches 5.75%? The full calculation is worked below with real intermediate numbers. Use this calculator for practical powder coating or surface finishing planning, quoting, troubleshooting, or line setup.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Solids volume: 8 lb (unchanged)
  • Total mixed coating: 250 lb (unchanged)
  • Target solids: 5.75 % (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 5)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Coverage loss = wasted coating or powder รท total coating used) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 3.2 % solids for rate, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 2.55 points for gap to target.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 8 count for affected count.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 250 count for total count.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where target solids sits at 5% and the headline result is 3.2 % solids, this scenario lands almost exactly on the baseline at 3.2 % solids.
  • A figure at this level is achievable when target solids is genuinely sustained, not just peaked for a shift. This is a weight-based solids figure; film build depends on volume solids, which differs from weight solids when pigment density is high, so use volume solids for thickness predictions.

Results at a glance

  • Rate: 3.2 % solids (headline result)
  • Gap to target: 2.55 points
  • Affected count: 8 count
  • Total count: 250 count

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Coating Solids calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.