1 US gallon= 3.78541178 liters
a ) 0.52 gallons=1.9684 liters= 1.9684 dm³=0.0019684 m³
b ) 15 m² · x = 0.0019684 m³
x = 0.0019684 : 15 = 0.0001312 m = 0.1312 mm
A layer of wet paint is 0.1312 mm thick.
But if it is a British gallon:
1 Imperial gallon= 4.546 liters
a ) 0.52 gallons = 2.364 liters = 2.364 dm³ = 0.002364 m³
b ) x = 0.002364 : 15 = 0.000158 m = 0.156 mm.