PPG Acri-Shield Max typically costs about $45-$75 per gallon at retail, with a five-gallon pail generally priced around $220-$350 before tax. The paint-only budget depends on container size, color, and local dealer pricing; a full exterior painting quote also includes surface preparation, labor, primer, and access equipment.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acri-Shield Max, one gallon | $45 | $60 | $75 | Before tax; price varies by dealer and color |
| Acri-Shield Max, five gallons | $220 | $285 | $350 | Usually less per gallon than single containers |
| Paint coverage cost | $0.15 | $0.22 | $0.35 | Per sq ft for two coats, paint only |
| Professional exterior painting | $2.50 | $4.50 | $7.50 | Per sq ft of paintable wall area, including labor |
What homeowners pay for Acri-Shield Max
For a typical single-family exterior, Acri-Shield Max paint itself may cost $500-$1,500, depending on wall area, number of coats, coverage, and whether the job uses one or multiple colors. A professional repaint commonly totals $3,000-$9,000 for a modest-to-average home, with complex or larger houses reaching $10,000-$15,000 or more.
The gallon price is only one part of the budget: labor and preparation usually account for most of a professional exterior painting quote. A gallon commonly covers roughly 300-400 sq ft on a smooth, previously painted surface for one coat. Rough siding, porous masonry, dark-to-light color changes, and extra coats can reduce practical coverage.
For two finish coats, a planning range of $0.15-$0.35 per paintable sq ft covers Acri-Shield Max only, using typical retail prices and estimated coverage. This does not include primer, masking materials, caulk, repairs, or sales tax. A 2,000-sq-ft exterior wall area might require about 10-14 gallons for two coats, depending on surface texture and application loss.
Assumptions: U.S. retail pricing, standard white or common colors, two coats, ordinary exterior surfaces, and no major repairs.
How gallon size affects the paint-only estimate
Single gallons are convenient for samples, touch-ups, and small accent areas, but buying several can cost more than purchasing pails. A five-gallon pail often lowers the effective price to about $44-$70 per gallon, while an individual gallon may work out to $45-$75. Dealer promotions, tinting, and local stock can shift those ranges.
| Purchase or coverage basis | Low | Average | High | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-gallon container | $45 | $60 | $75 | Touch-ups or small areas |
| Five-gallon pail | $220 | $285 | $350 | Large, continuous wall areas |
| One coat per sq ft | $0.11 | $0.16 | $0.25 | Based on 300-400 sq ft per gallon |
| Two coats per sq ft | $0.22 | $0.32 | $0.50 | Before volume discounts and waste reduction |
The table’s per-square-foot estimates use full retail price divided by estimated coverage and are intentionally conservative. Larger jobs may use pails and reduce the material rate. Add 5%-15% for waste, touch-ups, and uneven coverage; highly textured siding can require more. Keep enough paint from the same batch for final touch-ups, since later purchases may differ slightly in tint.
Compare the price per gallon, not just the container price, and confirm that the quoted product is Acri-Shield Max rather than another PPG exterior line. Product labels and dealer listings should be checked for the exact finish, base, and tint before purchase.
What a contractor quote includes beyond the paint
A painting contractor’s price combines materials, preparation, crew time, access, and business costs. Acri-Shield Max may be the specified finish coat, but the estimate can also include primer or bonding products, caulk, masking, pressure washing, scraping, and disposal. Requesting an itemized quote makes it easier to compare bids using the same scope and coating system.
| Quote component | Typical range | What changes the charge | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acri-Shield Max finish paint | $45-$75 | Color, quantity, dealer | Per gallon |
| Primer and sundries | $150-$700 | Surface condition and area | Typical house project |
| Surface preparation | $0.50-$2.00 | Peeling, mildew, repairs | Per sq ft of affected area |
| Painting labor | $35-$75 | Region, height, crew skill | Per worker-hour |
| Lift or scaffold | $200-$1,200 | Height, rental duration, access | Per project or rental period |
| Delivery and disposal | $50-$300 | Distance and waste volume | Per job |
Labor estimates vary widely, and some contractors price by the house or square foot rather than hourly. For a rough labor calculation, can be used: 40-80 crew-hours at $35-$75 per worker-hour represents $1,400-$6,000 in labor before overhead and profit. Actual billing may reflect a crew’s combined hourly rate, so ask how the quote is structured.
Preparation and access can move a bid more than the difference between a low-priced and high-priced gallon. Confirm whether the quote includes washing, scraping, caulking, spot priming, two finish coats, masking, cleanup, and disposal. Ask whether damaged siding or trim is priced separately, and whether the listed area means wall area or total home floor area.
How siding texture and coverage change gallons needed
Coverage is a key variable in the Acri-Shield Max estimate. Smooth, sealed siding may approach 350-400 sq ft per gallon per coat; rough or porous surfaces may fall near 250-300 sq ft. A 2,000-sq-ft paintable wall surface could therefore use about 10-16 gallons for two coats, before adding waste or extra paint for color changes.
House size alone is an unreliable way to calculate paint. A 2,000-sq-ft home’s floor area is not the same as its exterior wall area: rooflines, porches, attached garages, gables, and window openings all affect the surface to be coated. Contractors may measure the wall area, deduct openings, and add trim separately. Request the estimated number of gallons and coats in writing.
Color and condition matter too. A large shift from a deep color to a light shade may need a primer or an additional finish coat. Bare wood, chalky paint, or repaired patches may absorb more product than a stable painted surface. When the wall needs a different primer, that expense is separate from the Acri-Shield Max gallon price.
Use actual paintable square footage and surface condition—not the home’s listed living area—to estimate material quantities. A paint calculator can provide a starting point, but a contractor’s measured takeoff is more useful for a quote that includes several elevations and trim details.
When preparation or a second coat raises the total
Preparation can add roughly $500-$2,500 to a straightforward house repaint when the crew must scrape failing paint, spot-prime, caulk gaps, or repair small areas. Extensive peeling, rotten trim, mildew remediation, or old coating problems can push preparation beyond that range. These are separate scope items, so the estimate should identify the affected areas and the planned remedy.
Two finish coats are often included in a complete repaint, but the quote should say so. Adding a coat may require 30%-60% more finish paint and additional labor, depending on layout and application method. A third coat on a 2,000-sq-ft wall area may add around $300-$900 in paint plus $500-$1,500 or more in labor, especially when masking and ladder moves are repeated.
Access is another expense. A two-story home with steep ground, narrow side yards, or high gables may need extra ladder work or a lift. Lift rental often adds $200-$1,200, while extensive scaffold setup can cost more. In some cases, the crew can reach most walls with ordinary ladders, but the contractor should explain where special access equipment is included.
Separate necessary repairs from optional upgrades so the estimate does not hide essential preparation inside a single lump sum. Photos and a written list of repair locations help prevent disagreements about what the quoted preparation covers.
How local labor rates shape exterior paint quotes
Labor rates and contractor overhead vary across the United States. As a broad planning comparison, dense coastal metro areas may price 15%-35% above a national midrange estimate, while smaller cities and rural markets may come in 10%-25% lower. These are not guaranteed discounts: local demand, housing access, wage levels, and the condition of the home all affect bids.
For an average house with approximately 1,800-2,500 sq ft of paintable exterior wall surface, a professional repaint might land around $4,000-$8,000 in a moderate-cost market. A high-cost metro area may quote $5,000-$10,500 for comparable work, while a lower-cost market could be nearer $3,200-$6,500. These examples assume two finish coats and ordinary preparation, not major carpentry or extensive lead-safe work.
Tax and dealer pricing also differ by location. Some sellers charge delivery, and tinted paint may have different return rules from untinted stock. Ask whether the material allowance is based on actual gallons purchased or a fixed estimate, and whether unused unopened paint is credited back to the owner.
Compare bids from contractors serving the same market and match the measured area, preparation, coat count, and product specification. A lower total may reflect fewer coats or less repair work rather than a lower labor rate.
How many workdays an exterior repaint usually takes
A typical two-person crew may spend 3-7 working days on a straightforward one- or two-story exterior, including preparation and two coats. A larger crew can shorten elapsed time, but it does not necessarily reduce total labor cost. Detailed trim, multiple colors, high gables, and repairs can extend a job to 1-2 weeks, excluding weather delays.
Scheduling can change the price when the work is urgent or constrained. A rush request, weekend work, or limited access window may carry a 10%-25% premium if the contractor must adjust crew scheduling. Rain, high humidity, and temperatures outside product application guidance can interrupt work and require return visits. Ask how weather postponements and additional visits are handled in the contract.
Labor duration provides a useful quote check. A 2,000-sq-ft wall area with routine prep might take about 40-80 worker-hours, though high access or detailed trim can exceed that. At an illustrative $35-$75 per worker-hour, the direct labor calculation spans $1,400-$6,000; contractor pricing adds supervision, insurance, overhead, and profit.
Do not judge a bid by crew size or calendar days alone; compare the work hours implied by the actual scope. The contractor should specify start conditions, expected duration, cleanup, and what happens if weather delays coating application.
Where homeowners can trim the Acri-Shield Max budget
Buying the right quantity in five-gallon pails can reduce the per-gallon price, but only when the color and scope are settled and the paint will be used. Combining same-color exterior areas may also reduce leftover paint. Do not cut costs by reducing surface preparation or omitting a coat that the substrate and color change require; premature peeling can make the next repaint more expensive.
Control scope by separating wall painting from optional trim, shutters, doors, or detached structures. Get those items listed with individual prices so they can be deferred if needed. If siding is mostly sound, discuss washing, scraping, and spot-priming rather than replacing all surfaces or applying primer everywhere without a substrate-based reason.
Request at least three written quotes and compare product name, finish, coat count, coverage assumptions, prep, repairs, access equipment, and warranty terms. Ask contractors to identify the exact Acri-Shield Max product and whether primer is included. A quote that includes one coat should not be compared directly with a two-coat repaint.
The most reliable savings come from accurate quantities, a clearly defined scope, and comparable bids—not from accepting an unexplained reduction in coating or preparation. Confirm any dealer discount, delivery fee, tax, and unused-paint policy before placing a material order.