Benjamin Moore Advance on Cabinets Reviewed. How Does it Perform Rolled, Brushed, and Sprayed?! 

BM Advance is a great paint. It has a smoothness and luster that is simply beautiful. But because of its leveling properties, you have to be careful when spraying vertically. It will sag faster than SW Pro Classic. At first, I sprayed it with a light in my left hand with two light coats cross-hatched in each application and adjusted by distance and movement speed so that the paint is just congealing after the cross-hatched coat. Watch your previous work as you go and adjust if needed. A fine finish tip works best. The thinner coats (in my experience) leave a smoother finish on vertical work. Heavier coats (for me) have a very slight orange peel texture. It is not quite as "glass-like" as SW Sherwood Hi-bild Precat Lacquer. (And if you don't blow up or die from the fumes, that product is awesome! LOL) When painting paneled doors vertically, you need to recheck your work after five and ten minutes. It will drip easily at the lower corners of the panels. A quick swipe with your brush will fix it and it will not show. I think two thin coats when brushing or rolling looks nicer than two heavy coats. A mohair roller works well but a 3/8 knap also is fine. Just keep it thin. Prep your roller (any roller) with tape to remove fibers. They will show in this smooth surface. As for brushes, I like a Purdy Nylox brush. It has very fine fibers so it leaves less brush strokes. Lastly, we the paint become very hard, it takes a few weeks to reach maximum hardness. Do not set items on horizontal surfaces for AT LEAST a few days. Otherwise, the item may stick to the uncured paint. So, there is a little learning curve but this stuff is so 'pretty', it is worth it!

Thank you for this video, I was afraid to try this on somebody's cabinets for the first time because I had never used it but it was recommended by my paint rep. But now I see it is beautiful and is quite easy to work with. Thanks again

Thank you so much for this review! Painting my builder basic oak kitchen cabinets soon and will be going with this paint after all the positive reviews!

I used this paint with a roller on my old kitchen cabinets which were not even oak, but some old 70s compressed wood. The results were so great that a contractor walked into my kitchen and said these cabinets looked as if they came from the factory.

Hi Chris. Ive been using advance for several years now on cabinets. I'm in Canada , and product options are limited here. Its been a great paint for sure, I use it because of its durability once cured. Cabinets see lots of use and abuse for sure ! I don't do enough cabinet work to warrant having a shop to spray in, so I have been applying it with brush and microfiber rollers. It definitely does leave roller stippling, but so far its only bothered me and never a complaint from a client. I'm actually starting a set of cabinets tomorrow at our current site. Its an add-on, and a repeat client so I agreed. I usually allow about a week for a set of cabinets to accommodate the dry time. I have found the whites dont cover near as well as darker colors, so my go to routine is to double prime whites. I have been using prime lock as a bonding primer, but tomorrow will be picking up the advance primer to try for the first time. I found the prime lock was difficult to apply evenly due to its extremely quick dry time. The cabinet set I am doing is cloud white tops and whale gray bottoms, so I will just need one primer coat on the lower units. I noticed here you didn't prime at all ? That would be a real time saver ! I always worry about bonding, but after watching this video of yours I think I will find some test doors and try no primer at home. Every time I start one of these jobs I find myself wishing I had a space to spray. With the fflp tips for Graco I think it would be a breeze. I also have a 5 stage Fuji just crying to be used on cabinets !! Oh well, as I said, I just don't do them often enough, maybe 3 times a year. Thanks for the video ! Richard Tower, Manitoba Canada.

Thank you for great content! The detail and experience of your review are appreciated, especially for those applications where you can't really spray and need to roll or brush.

I've used the Advance on my trim and doors and my kitchen cabinets and I'm obsessed with it!! I love that it has a leveling agent especially with brushing. It's also super durable.

thanks chris for your insights and continuous valued content. as a woodworker/cabinet/furniture maker building out a small side business with the intention to grow, i soon realized i had to add finishing to my repertoire of skills. most people are looking for a painted finish on cabinets and closets so figuring out paint and what to use was a bit of a challenge. i know i didn't want to deal with cleanup or potential flammability spraying non-water based products like lacquer. i also knew i didn't want to learn the intricacies of how to apply different products, and needed to land on one and learn that one well. i also know i am less concerned about the cost of tools or equipment that make my life easier and produce repeatable quality results, my time is worth more than most savings to be had with low-quality products. i first became aware of alkyd paint and what it was used for in tracking down issues related to a professional painter using the wrong type of paint to paint over a large custom builtin bookcase i wanted redone. i trusted that guy at the time, but i mean, really, if someone is a professional painter and don't about the difference between wall paint and what to use for cabinets and furniture? if nothing else, google it or look up the idaho painter channel on youtube?!? in the end i invested in arguable best-of-class fuji hvlp and the pricier but worth every penny (IMO) BM Advance paint combo. between the quality of the sprayer and the qualities of this paint, it more than makes up for my shortcomings as a spray finisher. i worry sometimes about all my little mistakes, but i come back in a few hours, and they are not noticeable. i get consistent professional quality results. my cabinet and closet finishes receive comments like "it looks like it were powder coated" or "factory". that's good enough for me. and that built in i had painted, now i have the tools to do it myself the right way with the right finish.

I've painting my kitchen cabinets bathroom cabinets 3years ago and still looks fabulous, my suggestion for a roller is a Moe hair roller sold at Benjamin Moore stores, no lint and rolls beautifully, highly suggest Advance paint.

I really like it. Learning curve. But it’s quality stuff especially if you have to brush it. I’ll be spraying out my new house first time home buyer recently. Will be nice to actually paint my own house for once ! Rock on painters 🤙🏻

Just started using BM Advanced for hallway doors and wall base. This video was just what I needed ! Moving forward with more confidence now …… thanks :)

Ive used BM advance on our cabinets & toe kick then on a few interior doors. Sprayed cabinets and foam rollers on the rest. Cab and toe kicks were 3 years ago still looks fantastic! Doors were 2 years ago and don’t look as good as sprayed cabinets but does looks very good. Cure time between coats is a pain but worth it knowing how well finish comes out.

I had rolled several doors and was impressed. Night before vacation I painted the base cabinet floors. Where we keep the big pans, cast iron and the like. A week later I threw everything back in and have never even had a scratch. Cleans up once a year or so with dish soap and a sponge to a mirror. Hard as heck.

I am using this to paint my kitchen cabinets. I do not have a sprayer so I’m brushing it on. (They are panel front doors and the brush is just easier for me.). I found if I lightly mist with water prior to applying the paint it makes it easier for me. Do not soak the surface in water! Just a light mist on the surface. This does make the dry time a bit longer but it is worth it. Love this paint. Worth every penny.

They have changed it over the years. This year is definitely the best version! Superior touch up!

We did it ourselves on our kitchen cabinets about a 1 year ago and absolutely love it! We sprayed our cabinets.

I used 1 year ago for painting kitchen and bathroom cabinets with a small foam roller. Still holding up like a dream. I did prime with Zinsser Bullseye 123

I am super late to the party but I am just a DiY home owner that loves painting. My local store introduced me to Advance. They told me to use Stix with it and, also, a Chinex brush. The best advertisement I can give for the stuff is that I sanded off crappy latex paint that a previous owner painted on my bannisters. I did two coats of Stix and sanded between and two coats of Advanced. 6 years later it still looks and feels perfect despite dirty kid hands constantly on it. I recently bought a Graco Mustang from the same store and I am going to attempt to spray Advance and I am nervous but looking forward to it. Thanks for posting this video, I really appreciate you sharing your spraying knowledge.

This is my favorite trim paint. It's all I use, if left up to me. I spray, brush, and roll it. Most trim jobs I do I only have time for one coat per day anyway. It's great for hand railings and shelves. It doesn't block, (stick to things sitting on the shelf) and no dirty hand railings like latex paint.

This is the best paint for doing cabinets and trim & doors out right now next to using lacquers. This product covers amazing and it will relieve a lot of this brush marks. It has excellent block resistance as well so no sticky doors when opening or setting things on top like with shelves. If you can’t spray this is the best product on the market, period!

Rolled mine in 95 degree heat (in the shade) outside. Dried slow, looked like I sprayed it. I did use satin. Paint still felt sticky until 30 days. Could touch it no problem but it did have a slight stick. Wife cleaned the cabinets after they were fully cured 30 days + and for the next year was rough with them but no paint came up, hard as a rock. Guests thought we bought new cabinets. I did use oil based primer. And throughly dried primer before rolling. Sold house. Will spray next kitchen remodel using this paint. Thanks for the 2-3 coast test.

Awesome product, produces a larger like finish. I've refinished alot of cabinets with the result customers approve.

What a great teacher you are!!

I love these paint reviews. I'd love to see Durapoxy HP in one of these tests. We found that Durapoxy HP is very similar to Advance in performance, with faster dry time, and cures a little harder with higher scuff resistance.

Great video, I’m starting a project on my own furniture tomorrow, I have a Henredon credenza which I will try with my Flexio 5500 🙏 hoping I don’t mess up … following your advice carefully. I’ve tried this paint before on doors and trim and it is the best I have ever used.

I use this for all my cabinets. I do use 2 coats of an oil based stain blocking primer and 2 coats of advanced and it makes the cabinets look amazing.

This is a great product. I’ve used a 1/4 “ Mohair or Velour mini Whizz roller. Reduces stipple and Orange peel. Looks like it was sprayed. Roll it on flat surfaces and do not back brush it. Great video.

thanks Chris, i needed this viseo today! DIY, here, first time sprayer. Using a Wagner Flexio 5000. Spray my primer at 45s (kilsz2, ford #4, 25% diluted with water) but after two doors, some chunks of paint appear on the surface (air gets pretty hot by then). I've was timid to dilute the BM advance as much as the primer and didnt get much flow, or a smooth finish. i git enough down to leave some top coat after sanding the rough surface off.. Like Chris says, it's a buttery soft finish, albiet after sanding. if I had to do it over, I'd spring for a higher end HVLP sprayer, I've put a lot of time in trying to figure out the interplay of all the variables. With more power, the learning curve wouldnt have been so painful Today, I will dilute to 45s and try again..I hope the paint holds up and goes down smoother. Update later. Peace to all😊

This video is dope thanks for sharing. I’ve been terrified to use this product bc I don’t know what I’m doing BUT it is super forgiving

You are now my go to for anything paint

Used a rac x fflp 310 tip and sprayed over 500 lf of base and 800 lf of door and window casing - very good product and drips sand out good, no peeling!

Been using Advance for years. Awesome product. When spraying with it I’ve found a .308 fflp tip is a good size to help prevent runs. Also when I’m done spraying I use fans to help with the set up time to prevent runs.

We have always used Sherwin Williams pro classic for cabinets. And super paint for trim. I have never used BM paint because they don’t have paint stores and are mostly sold my 3rd party companies so that makes it really hard for us to work with them

I use Benjamin Moore advance a lot.. cabinets I like vinyl sealer. Graco 695. 412 tip green fine finish at about 1300-1600 psi. Brushing and rolling you want to put it on as fast as possible and leave it alone. Microfiber roller cover FTP China-x a little bit of floetrol. Also a ox hair brush works really well.

I've used that and Insl-X cabinet coat as well! Love products from BMoore! Yes, time to cure before sanding and next coat!

I'm sure you've used one before, but I'm gonna suggest using a Purdy Synth-Ox (synthetic ox hair) because they are the finest grade of synthetic bristle I've ever seen and they really do you lay down a super smooth finish. I started helping my grandfather painting at age 9 in 1972 and I've been doing it full-time since 1980. It's not just a job for me it is me, it's what defines me, it is a way of life. A Worcester yachtsman marine varnish brush might work well also, but it probably won't be any good for anything other than a duster after one shot because anytime I've ever used an oil brush in anything that has water in it the brush swells up like a dead possum and is no longer good for anything but a duster, but while it's working it works great, especially for not leaving brush marks, but it's never the same again. It's the same as when you use a varnish brush in an oil stain they swell up and there never any more good for anything other than stain and varnish. They actually make the varnish go on smoother after they've been used in stain, but the brush is so swollen you can't cut in a good straight line with it. It makes the bristles softer and makes the varnish lay down better after it's been used in oil stain. I always kept my stain and varnish brushes separate specifically for that purpose because when you use them in paint I don't care how good you wash them in mineral spirits you get a little bit of white flecks from paint in your varnish which shows up in your stain work. It's too late after you put a coat of varnish over your stain and you see little white paint specks in the Finish which looks like crap. I'm sure you already know all this as long as you've been painting and as much experience as you have. I was just throwing this out there for the novice who might read it. I'll have to try this new Benjamin Moore paint and see what I think of it. God bless you your crew and all of your families!! Give me an NC....

Advance is an Amazing trim paint. I have been brushing trim with it for years now. Looks sprayed even when brushed on crown and base. It's even caused arguments between trades on big jobs about whether it was sprayed or brushed. The issue is not really dry time, it's cure time. It's about a 21 day cure. When doing cabinets, advance may be better but Cabinet Coat dries faster and cures faster, just not as strong IMO. If it's cool in a home watch out for sagging or runs. Other than some small things, this is my go to for all crown and base.

I've always had trouble with Advance running and sagging a lot. I've had some good turnouts on it as well. I'm on the fence about the product but after seeing this I'm thinking I will give it another shot and use some of the knowledge you dropped in this video to see if I have a better outcome. Thanks Chris you always do a wonderful job with these paint reviews.

I used this to spray our stairs. Turned out beautiful! I used the BM Stix primer before spraying. Lays down like glass. If your paint is coming off; then you are not prepping your surface properly.

Chris, I’ve used Advance for about four years now. I love it. I use it on my own house for the best and hardest finish. I like the way it feels after it has three coats better than any other water-based finish. It is like some of the finest oils in how it feels after it has hardened. For the best finish I give it three light coats and a wet sand after the second coat with 320. Piano like finish.

Thank you! You are doing great work!

I use this product to spray my kitchen jobs and every customer says they look brand new like factory. I love this product. I use a graco 395 ultra with the contractor gun and a 312 fine finish tip. Awesome video🤙

Great video as always. Rock on Chris! I’m installing new doors and trim and need a good paint to match a bright white on Beyer’s Ultra White Semi gloss. Would this be good for doors? Recommendations?

Good review! Thanks!

Extremely thorough video much appreciated. We just bought an older home and are going to use this product to paint our oak cabinets. We have a paint sprayer though a relatively inexpensive one. I’m thinking after watching this we might spray the doors and removable parts and use a moe hair roller on the vertical hardware. Just have to decide if we need to use a primer first or just sanding and two coats of the Advance.

I sprayed cabinets this week with advance. 2 coats stix bonding primer and 1 coat advance. Came out nice. Wanted to do another finish coat but contractor didn’t want me to

Had some old kitchen and even older cabinets in my garage that i used Stix® Waterborne Bonding Primer and then the Benjamin Moore Advance Paint. Everything was brush and roller painting. Cabinets came out great. Almost too nice to hang back in my garage, but I did. Going to use same products and techniques to redo my kitchen cabinets in my Florida home. Loved the drying racks you used. Maybe I will get some. Nice video!

This product works great.. i highly recommend it! 👍

This is my favorite paint of all time, 45 years that is.

Great video. Thanks for all the helpful info you've been giving us. I have 80s oak cabinets and want to paint them with a brush & roller. After watching your videos I decided on BM Advance. The idea was, Coverstain oil bonding primer, then BM Fresh Start water based primer, then 2 coats of Advance. Went to BM store and they said that since I'm using the coverstain primer, I won't need the water based Fresh Start on top of that. What's your opinion on skipping Fresh Start? I don't want unnecessary work but at the same time I don't want to screw it up. Thanks Tom

Wonderful review. Was wondering if you've ever reviewed our might consider reviewing Dutch Boy Platinum Plus Cabinet, Door, and Trim paint. I'm advised by the sales person that it will cover over the grain of my golden oak cabinets without using any grain filler before painting. I have doubts about this.

I used insl-X and Stix primer. Sprayed out beautifully and very smooth without sanding.

I am a 60 year old amateur and I did my kitchen with this paint...I was amazed ..it is the most professional looking paint job and I used a roller!! Highly recommend but you need more time

Hey Chris, consider a review of Cabinet Coat. Great product as well! Thx!

I like this paint for smaller side jobs where using conversion varnishes and urethanes aren't practical or feasible due to smell or cost.

Miss the old advance label. Use this a lot with my dad.

You did an awesome job at explaining the different techniques. I was curious if you thought that I needed to use the Advance Primer on new MDF cabinet doors and drawer fronts?

Good review, we have tried it but found it a nightmare on flush doors, we was not spraying, it would have been good if sprayed but edges dried so fast, we mainly use a water based by Caparol, we find it covers well and goes on nice.

Thanks for the video. I love advance paint. I also started using its equivalent Benjamin moore Coretech "Command" which drys and cures super fast. Perhaps you can do a video on that someday.

Just in time. Thanks Chris.

Advance paint has been reformulated and now has a taupe colored label. Painting cabinets in Satin sheen for husband’s workshop and the first quart was awful. It had a different label gray with rainbow. Didn’t flow, dried too fast. Went to a different store and bought the reformulated paint. What a difference!! Unsure of what happened the first time but cabinets look beautiful..Agean Teal

I've had really good luck with PPG Breakthrough and Corotech Command. Advance works well, but those two are a different level IMO.

great video, thanks!

It is by far the best non-oil-based brush trim paint on the market in my experience and if you work quickly and don't overwork, it will level better. If you wait more than a few seconds, the brush marks will tend to show up more--not nearly as much as any other paint, but its leveling properties taper very quickly to the point where you have to be careful not to double back on something you just touched seconds before. You'll know when your brush drags too much that you've waited to long. It should be a very smooth feel. Cover the entire piece to get it saturated, then get a nice a full final stroke where you feel the smooth pull on the brush (no sticking or skipping) and go end to end and don't go back. Always use long, smooth, and straight strokes. The slower you have to go to avoid that sticking or skipping feeling on the brush, the more it's a sign you're not working fast enough. Best brush for this by far are the Zebra brushes. Tried them all. Nothing beats them for trim work.

Hi there, loved the video! I am looking to use this product on a custom shelving to store board games and I was told not to use latex paint over the sanded plywood due to how tacky it could come out. Given the fact that I am storing "paper" based products on my shelves.. Do you recommend I go this route? Also, I am looking to go bright white for a the coloring and was told that enamels tend to "yellow" over time.. Do you know if this product would be susceptible to it? Thanks again!!

I've used this product for about 7 years. Im pleased with it. One trick I do when I roll the cabinets to get a smooth finish is to sand after first coat (which it sands very well) and then add a little water to thin it on final coat. It will have little to no stipple after it dries. I've done many cabinets for customers with this method and all have been happy. I can't always spray especially if they are living there so I usually brush and roll the cabinets.

I agree that Advance levels out really well. I'm using automotive type HVLP gun and compressor. It's really forgiving on cabinet work. Thanks for your review.

“It’s about 70 degrees, to be exact.” Love It

Best painting info.

I painting my kitchen 3 years ago and still looking good

I think you mentioned the dry time 5 or 6 times but did not address whether or thinning is necessary and what to sand with between coats. Primer underneath and what brand? How would this work with a HVLP sprayer? Would this paint be good in bathroom c idling and walls? What sheen were you using?

GREAT REVIEW

Good demo.

I have used this product a TON over the last few years. I have used it for cabinets, trim, etc. There are a few keys to this. I have tried a 4-stage Fuji HVLP. No good. It wouldn't atomize the paint unless you thin it a lot. With an airless and FFLP tips it produces amazing results. It is super durable, and levels very well. It brushes and rolls well. I like mohair rollers for any rolled cabinet face frames, etc. The only issue- you MUST use a good primer, and do at least 2 coats. Sand between coats for sure. I use 320 between coats. I also like BIN primer. I have tried STIX, but have been less than impressed. I am super happy to see this review! We have done lots of kitchen cabinet projects with this material, and have never had callbacks!

Best painter in the world besides my self ! Good stuff bro I been watching you for years

I just used this paint for my kitchen, I was very excited for the extended open time... Apparently that doesn't apply to Idaho in the winter, because mine dried to the touch in about 45 minutes. Drove me nuts. Looks great still though, even though I did get slight texture due to rolling. I rolled the cabinet faces due to not wanting to mask the kitchen with a wife and three kids, but I sprayed the door and drawers and they look great :) BUT the open time is for sure dependent on where you're from and what time of year it is.

My favorite

I've been using the advance since my guy at Ben Moore gave me 2 sample gallons as soon as it hit their store about 3 years ago. First project we sprayed a big shiplap sunroom and an open fireplace layout also shiplap, 2 coats and it all looked like white glass! Unless a customer insists on using a product of their choice, the advanced is all I use for my interior work! Also the proof is in your prep work people! We all know the better the prep job, the better the finish product!

Chris: please do a test of Fine Paints of Europe. Excellent video! Thanks!

Best paying for cabinets in my opinion it is great to spray and a pain in the ass to brush but we usually water it down and brush it if you can figure it out it’s amazing

Thx nice review ❤

My two favorites! BM Advance and Paint Life in the same place! I know you’re normally a 310 tip guy on trim, but you used a 208 here. Any preference/concerns for this product with either size tip?

One of the nicest looking hybrid paints but the long dry time effects the profit margins when doing cabinet doors ( front and back sides)

I am trying out Advance now for casings and base. It seemed to dry faster than expected when trying on a test piece and I had noticeable brush marks. However, I am not very experienced with painting semi-gloss, so could be lack of experience. I added some Floetrol and getting better results with both brushing and rolling. Will go back and try it again straight from the can without additive. Has anyone used this product with additive?

when i do cabinets i use alkyd primer that you sand then we paint two coats with a roller anc corners with brush never had marks of brush but the trick is to seal and sand so its flatter and absorb the same… when started using that over a decade ago i didnt use primer and had those different mark almost invisible but if you look you could find them

Use BM STYX PRIMER FOLLOWED WITH BM ADVANCE SATIN. 2 coats primer, 2 coats finish. My prep was extensive and tedious. Primer is FANTASTIC . Advance coats were 20 hours apart. All this about a 6 drying time is baloney. My finish coat was dry to touch in 40 mins. Sanded between all coats, rolled with Micro fiber. Super smooth. My old plywood doors look like Vinyl wrapped now cabinets. Mind you I filled all edges and sanded

Thank you for your helpful teaching. I love this paint for cabinets. I had 2 questions: The project I'm doing right now is to age the cabinets using a glaze or gel stain, after priming and painting them cream. How long would you recommend before doing the aging process? Also, as far as the durability, would you recommend finishing it with a top coat sealer/polyurathane? Thank you!

Hi, new doors have been order and will have the paint added at the factory using BM. I'm going to try and paint the frames myself. Do I need to prime first? I will be sanding down in spots to bare wood but still some of the old color which is green may show in spots?

I use this all the time. The only downside is the cost. Still worth it in my opinion

appreciate your knowledge. I plan to spray my cabinets with a Graco sprayer. What size tip would you recommend ?

How does the Advance compare to the BM In-Sulx? We're getting ready to do our cabinets and was going to use In-Sulx, but now I'm wondering if we should go with Advance. Also how do you think the the Advance would do on a stair railing?

I’m going to be using this paint for my kitchen cabinets. I’m always worried about yellow/brownish oil coming through. Do I need a primer to prevent that? Or what can I do to ensure that doesn’t happen?

16 hr dry time is a deal breaker for my cabinet jobs. I’ve had great luck with Behr cabinet and trim satin.

Got to hit my gym days in💪😂

I've been using this product for brushed trim for several years now. It's the closest I've found to pre-VOC oil paint for a brushed finish.

Great review. How resistant to scratches is it.

I may have missed it, but how was the sprayer? Wasn’t that part of the review? Ps as a DIYer, watching you for years, this was the best paint to spray all my doors and trim. Does lay down like glass so much so that bad sanding prep on a door showed my pre-sanding marks. For me first time spraying the product i found you can only do a fist spray if a second spray overlap is too slow on vert surfaces it has a tendency to run but not until like 30-50 min later. That said, the runs was more about the user experience and technique than anything. Oh and fine finish all the way.

You are awesome!

just curious why didn't you prime the cabinet first? Do you have a suggestion as to which primer to use?

Dear Mr. Idaho Painter, Thank you so much for all the time and effort you have put into making your videos. I am a newbie regarding HVLP and airless spraying. After watching numerous videos or yours I decided to purchase a Graco X5 to paint the kitchen cabinets and doors I recently built - I'm retired and decided to do the kitchen remodel myself. Anyway, your advice on the Benjamin Moore Advance paint has been spot-on ! The doors look like glass (I used a 311 on the doors sprayed horizontally.) I'm going to start spraying the cabinet boxes today. I'm thinking of going with a smaller diameter tip to reduce the chances of drips. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks in advance.