Comments on: how green is benjamin moore’s new aura paint?

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:33:22 +0000

I’ve had the same problem with the Eco-spec product, the tackiness! My GOD the tackiness! It should be used as adhesive not paint. We used the products, (both the paint and primer) on some built in shelves and it doesn’t seem to cure, the Rep insists that it will but its been close to two months…so here’s my solution, instead of ripping everything out, I suggest waiting untill you are sure the paint is fully dry (as dry as it will get) and spray over it with a water bourne acrylic clear coat. I’ve experimented with this in my shop and it seems to take care of the problem, period. It does change the sheen, and you’ll have to find someone with experience spraying lacquers, (its not so easy people) These water bourne lacquers can stink up the house, but there is a product out there called agualente made by ML Campbell that has low VOC. I’m impressed with it, the smell isn’t terrible. As far as bubbling and such we’ve experienced no problems with it. I actually think that as such it gives you excellent cover, sprays decent ect But come on Ben Moore, what is up with the super glue properties? Obviously my solution is limited to use on woodwork, walls and such might want to be approached a little differently, but I’m sure a solution could be found as long as the PAINT WAS APPLLIED CORRECTLY, so many times I’ve seen walls painted without primer, or using the wrong primer, drywall dust everywhere, the mud not dry enough ect, here is where you might run into problems of bubbling. Paint is a touchy subject and can get very time consuming if its applied on the wrong substrate. Usually solutions can be found as long as the homeowner, contractor, and sub-contractors work together without freaking out.

good luck to all

Side note: Remember even trees emit VOC’s! Check out this little tid bit:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1200/is_18_165/ai_n6110279

By: Keli

Keli — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:23:17 +0000

We encountered the same problem with the ECO SPEC primer…sticky, tacky to the touch, bubbles and peels like a bad sunburn. Anything set against the wall and pulled away pulls the top coat of paint off with it. We have people and pets in our household that cannot handle toxic stuff…that’s why we went with the ECO SPEC primer. Very disappointing. My general contractor blames the painter. I’m sure it’s the primer, not the painter.

By: henry

henry — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:27:04 +0000

if i’m not mistaken the eco-spec line came out before the aura line. also sounds like something to take up with that particular store.

By: Bev

Bev — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:21:31 +0000

Please reply if you have info on sticky tacky Ecospec Semi Gloss
Bev

By: Bev

Bev — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:19:19 +0000

Our painter used Benjamin Moore Ecospec Semi Gloss paint on all our pre-primed interior doors and new wood finishing detail on our new home under construction in November 2004. We were reluctant to use the primer on the new wood because it outgasses very strong amonia smells and I am chemically sensitive and cannot have these harsh chemicals in my indoor environment. Benjamin Moore shop personell assured us we did not need the primer on new wood as long as we gave it 3 coats, which we did. All my Ecospec Semi Gloss surfaces are sticky, tacky, porous and swell and shrink with relative humidity- even the pre-primed doors. Since 2005 I have been seeking help from Benjamin Moore. They have experimented with their products and tried to paint over the problem with other low VOC products to no avail. They initially promised to fix the problem for me, but have with no paint over solution, they decided instead to try to blame the problem on the painter rather than the paint. I hired a paint inspector and he tested the remaining paint and found it faulty- no matter how you apply it, it is sticky tacky. This is a nightmare with no solution except to replace all my finishing materials and re-paint. You can’t sand it off because it is soft and rolls, gums and balls up the sand paper. I would never EVER again use any Benjamin Moore product because of the way Benjamin Moore has dealt with this consumer. I am interested to learn if any one else has had trouble with the Ecospec Semi Gloss. Originally, the District Benj Moore rep told me they had had this problem before specifically with the Semi Gloss product; he was fired, now they are denying they have ever had other complaints. Our painter has since discontinued his use of all Benj Moore products.

By: Richard Scott

Richard Scott — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:31:23 +0000

I am unsure why some of these comments point to problems with Aura - streaks? No way, Aura paint is awesome, covers better than any other paint on the market, and goes on like silk.

Feel free to see some of the results we have at our 6,000 sq ft home with Aura and the new Affinity color line.

http://www.scotttribe.com

By: john smith

john smith — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:04:27 +0000

Has anyone heard of the Mythic Brand? Used it in one of my rooms and was very impressed. It is a truly “NO” VOC paint, spec sheet says zero VOC and can says it as well. Also colorant that is used is no VOC. Was very easy to apply and touched up well. Would use again and recommend to anyone.

By: meiklejohn

meiklejohn — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:58:25 +0000

Aura has crystalline silica in it, a known carcinogen, and contains up to as much as 100 g’s VOC’s per liter… it’s not even certified Green by any reputable consumer organization… I beg to wonder why anyone would bother even using Aura when Benji Moore’s Eco-Spec line fits all the requirements for a “green” paint. Rumor has it that they’re tying to phase out Eco-Spec and that Aura is an attempt to retain “green” consumers… unfortunately, it’s a hell of a lot more toxic than Eco-Spec. They should just keep Eco-Spec around.

By: Greg Brock

Greg Brock — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 19:23:08 +0000

I have painted with — and bragged on — Benjamin Moore paint for 15 years, using it on 3 homes. I should be a salesman.

BUT…..do NOT use the Aura paint. It streaks, streaks, streaks, streaks. The best way to describe the look: you painted the walls flat. someone came in to touch up some spots and used eggshell or semi-gloss. You can imagine how noticeable that would be.

Well, Aura Matte, which has a slight sheen, is the same. You cannot roll it back-and-forth. If you paint in the W format as BM recommends, you get W’s on your wall. If you paint vertically, it looks like you have painted vertical stripes on the wall.

The BM folks are coming over to paint it for me. But I’ll believe it when I see it. I would advise against Aura at all costs. This project has dragged on for weeks. one large wall has about 5 coats on it because it was painted over and over to try to get the streaks out.

If these BM painters can do it, more power to them. But not everyone would have the luxury of having them come over to “fix it.”

By: Vince

Vince — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:52:55 +0000

The fellow at the Benjamin Moore store commented that with the Aura the key is to do the trims first and then roll the walls. If you roll over a wet area, chances are you will streak it. (I think someone above mentioned it). My contractor loved the paint especially the fact they could cover purple with tan in one coat. I’d buy it again.