Benjamin Moore Aura Paint

Thinking of being brave and painting the hall bath - and starting to set up a reserve for the rest of the condo to be painted. From what I've read, I'm interested in Benjamin Moore's Aura paint line - low VOC, quick drying, etc. I've always liked Benjamin Moore....but never used this line. Anyone used it? Hints for painting? Making sure the cats are asleep first? Thanks.

I've seen paint pads with edge-guards in stores but never tried them myself. They (the guards) supposedly reduce the cost and hassle of blue-taping in some instances. And the less blue tape you need, the better, due to the expense. And the pad supposedly gives a better, more even look versus standard brushmarks.

Thanks for the tip - I have my little sample to try tomorrow, and will ask about the pads when I go back to get the paint and other supplies.

I haven't used that one either, but like you do like Benjamin Moore. Chances are it's a decent paint.

Hope you get nice results! For me, sadly I am legally bound by law to keep the walls here white otherwise I'd go for colors. Anyway, those pads often have an reddish orange plastic handle therefore they're easy to spot in the aisles.

Supposedly it's the top of the BM line - and I figure I want a paint that will wear very well and touches up nicely. The low VOC is appealing to me as well.

I rented for over 20 years - Navaho White does get boring eventually. I'm still going for neutrals though - maybe something with some oomph to it, like Bleeker Beige for the main living areas. I've got an open layout, so will be staring at a lot of it for a number of years. I've got to say, with the number of colors and combinations available, even in just the whites, sometimes Navaho White starts looking nice and safe to me again! Maybe I should just put some chips on the floor and see which ones the cats gravitate too.

Thanks again.

spend the money and get the nice edging pads! Painters taping a bathroom is a pain in the you know what! Also one of the small rollers will be a lifesaver!

Just be sure to remove all the switch plate and outlet covers! And while you are painting you can let them soak in a pail of warm water and Oxiclean. You will be amazed!

Originally Posted by c1atsite

I've seen paint pads with edge-guards in stores but never tried them myself. They (the guards) supposedly reduce the cost and hassle of blue-taping in some instances. And the less blue tape you need, the better, due to the expense. And the pad supposedly gives a better, more even look versus standard brushmarks.

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We've used them, but were not impressed.

I'm never used that brand of paint, but Behr (Home Depot) is the best, IMHO. I have problems with paint fumes, yet never had with Behr, plus it's great quality. The walls I painted 6 years ago still look fresh, and no paint has chipped, etc. Great stuff!

Originally Posted by darlili

I rented for over 20 years - Navaho White does get boring eventually.

I'm still going for neutrals though - maybe something with some oomph to it, like Bleeker Beige for the main living areas. I've got an open layout, so will be staring at a lot of it for a number of years. I've got to say, with the number of colors and combinations available, even in just the whites, sometimes Navaho White starts looking nice and safe to me again! Maybe I should just put some chips on the floor and see which ones the cats gravitate too.

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I usually go with safer colors, too, but spur of the moment before moving in decided to paint the bedroom this color. It actually looks very pretty, especially in the day time.

Take a chance and do something a little less neutral if you can.

Another awesome tip for DIY painters is to keep damp and dry paper towels nearby. They're as useful as you'd imagine -- especially the damp ones.

Thank you so much for all the hints! For the hall bath, my sample is this http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Search...netian+portico, but I like that Fennel Seed color - if my sample doesn't work well, I'll run to the store later and get that.

I did not know about the Oxiclean - great suggestion. And someone did tell me about getting very slim rollers for behind the toilet - I was wondering about that!

I've heard good things about Behr, but I think I'm going to stick with Benjamin Moore, unless I'm disappointed with the sample. I've had such good luck with BM the few times I've actually painted.

Thank you again for all your help.

Before we painted the living room, I had a catnip party for all the cats. After they indulged, I gave them a nice snack. And then we carried them back to the bedroom with a litterbox and water and shut the bedroom door. And only then did we get the painting supplies and ladder out. Otherwise, we would have been trying to get paint out of fur and tails! Same with the kitchen....catnip party, followed by snacks, and then a nap. The cats spent the day in bed, none the worse for their nap.

As we painted each individual room, we just shut the door to that room and painted away. The cats had the rest of the house and they seemed fine.

Thanks for the tip with the Oxiclean for switch plates and covers, Dusty's Mom! I think I'm going to remove all the ones in the kitchen and soak them for a couple of hours, especially the ones around the stove and sink....they could really use a nice cleaning as just wiping them doesn't work all that well.

We've always used Behr paint, too.

One reason I was looking for a fast dry paint is that the kitchen/dining/living rooms and hallway to the bedrooms are all open to each other- so when I get the guys in, I'm hoping they can finish that area pretty quickly so the kitties won't be quarantined to the back bedroom too long. They're so used to the run of the place.

When I was washing down the hall bath last night, I opened the door to two very curious cats wondering what the heck I was doing in there so long. They are not used to closed doors!

But, again, thanks for all the hints - I'm happy with my tester, so hopefully next week I'll lay in my supplies and will have my Thanksgiving weekend project all in line.

I've used Benjamin Moore paint for many years haven't tried the Aura line though.

I'm not impressed with paint pads either unless you are using them to paint the top of the wall by the ceiling.

Make sure you wash the walls with a TSP product first-always start with clean walls.
I always use one of those handy paint pails and of course good quality brushes and rollers. If you can't finish in one day I pot the roller and any brushes in plastic grocery bags and stick in refrigerator. A damp cloth and dry ones are a must.

Instead of using painters tape you could try a sash (angled) brush. Just go slow when you paint using one!

I usually have to keep the door closed in the room I'm painting as Bakker loves to climb on the chair or ladder to inspect my progress.

If you are painting at night especially with the second coat of paint make sure you have the room well lite so you can be sure you are giving the walls a second coat.

For smaller rooms like a powder room I don't even use a roller but a brush.

Originally Posted by GailC

Instead of using painters tape you could try a sash (angled) brush. Just go slow when you paint using one!

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Yes. A professional painter told me we can hold the ferrule of the brush when painting without tape. The ferrule is the metal part that holds the bristles and it's fine to use it instead of the handle if you feel it gives you better control. I also saw a time-saver on a TV show saying in some instances you can use a wide putty knife as a quick guard (instead of tape).

I have used Aura once, have also used Behr Premium (not the newest one), the Lowes brand (forgot what it's called right now) and another brand you get from Menard and I forgot what it's called too.

Aura does try faster than the other brands I'd used. It is suggested you do all your cut in first, before rolling in (as opposed to cut and roll, cut and roll...)

Depends on what color you're going for, especially if it's a dark color, it may be worth using Aura as you prob won't need as many coats.

Search for Aura on http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/paint/ to see more painting tips from the pro.

As with any brand, you'll prob find people who love it or hate it.

Originally Posted by c1atsite

I also saw a time-saver on a TV show saying in some instances you can use a wide putty knife as a quick guard (instead of tape).

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That's generally how I paint. I've also used an old license plate when I couldn't find my putty knife. Even a piece of stiff cardboard will do in a pinch.

The last time I painted my kittys got into something cuz there was white paw prints across house! I actually left a few just cuz it was cute!

Originally Posted by darlili

Thank you so much for all the hints! For the hall bath, my sample is this http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Search...netian+portico,

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Looks like a nice choice to complement so many other colors, both warm or cool. I often think when a tone has purple in it, you pretty much can't go wrong.

Originally Posted by Winchester

Before we painted the living room, I had a catnip party for all the cats. After they indulged, I gave them a nice snack. And then we carried them back to the bedroom with a litterbox and water and shut the bedroom door. And only then did we get the painting supplies and ladder out. Otherwise, we would have been trying to get paint out of fur and tails!

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A catnip party sounds like a very cute idea