Benjamin Moore AURA® - Application Guide
Benjamin Moore AURA® - OVERVIEW
Benjamin Moore AURA® is an interior and exterior acrylic latex coating. It provides long lasting protection and coverage on a variety of surfaces.
It is ideal for wallboard, plaster, masonry and wood, as well as primed or degreased painted metal. It is easy to clean up due to its water based formula.
It can be used for surfaces that require frequent cleaning and it also has a zero VOC formulation. The coating also has anti-microbial agents which inhibits the growth of the microbes on the surface of the paint film.
ADDITIONAL PRODUCT DATA
Benjamin Moore AURA® provides coverage of approximately 350 to 400 square feet per gallon and it is composed of approximately 42 % solids. The ideal thickness of coating film is 4.3 mils of wet paint and 1.8 mils dry. Benjamin Moore AURA® dries in approximately 1 hour at temperatures of 77°F and can be recoated after an hour as well. After the surface is painted, the surface can be washed for cleaning purposes after 2 weeks.
Cleanup can be done with water making it easy to clean up tools used while painting.
SURFACE PREPARATIONS BEFORE APPLYING Benjamin Moore AURA®
Surfaces that will be painted must be clean dry, free of dirt, dust, grease, oil, soap, lose paint and mildew. Any non-adhering paint should be sanded, and the surface should be properly cleaned so that Benjamin Moore AURA® can properly bind. Dry wall must be free of sand and dust. New dry wall especially should be primed to minimize excessive use of Benjamin Moore AURA®. New plaster masonry surfaces must be allowed to cure for 30 days before applying Benjamin Moore AURA®. If the plaster surface appears soft or powdery, it should be re-evaluated to ensure it is properly cured. Poured or pre-cast concrete with a smooth surface must be acid etched or abraded to provide a profile for Benjamin Moore AURA® to bind to.
PRIMERS/FINISH SYSTEMS
Benjamin Moore AURA® is self-priming on a majority of surfaces.
For Bare Substrates, two coats are usually required for good coverage; while for previously painted surfaces, it can be finished with one to two coats depending on the desired hide that you want to achieve of the previous coating.
For Wood and Engineered Wood Products, the Fresh Start® Multi-Purpose Latex Primer (023) or Fresh Start® High Hiding All Purpose Primer can be used to prime wood first for easier application and better overall hiding.
For bleeding woods such as cedar and redwood, Fresh Start® High Hiding All Purpose Primer (046) or Fresh Start® Multi-Purpose Oil Based Primer (024) can be used.
For Plaster/Wallboard, one to two coats of Aura® Satin Finish is always required.
For Rough or Pitted Masonry, Ultra Spec® Masonry Interior/Exterior Hi-Build Block Filler and then you may apply the one to two coats of Benjamin Moore AURA® after the block filler primer.
For Smooth Poured or Precast Concrete, one to two coats of Aura® Satin Finish.
For Ferrous Metal, Ultra Spec® HP Acrylic Metal Primer or Super Spec HP® Metal Primer (P06) then apply one to two coats of Aura® Satin Finish.
For Galvanized & Aluminum, all metal surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned with Oil & Grease Emulsifier to remove contaminants. Shiny metal surfaces should also be abraded using a sandpaper or a steel wool. No primer is required on these and only one to two coats of Benjamin Moore AURA® Finish should be applied.
For repainting, you may use a primer or use Benjamin Moore AURA® only..
APPLICATION
Thoroughly mix the product prior to being applied. For best brushing results it is recommended to use an extra firm polyester brush. For rolling it is recommended to use 3/8” nap roller cover. Due to the fast dry time of Benjamin Moore AURA®, ensure thorough application and minimize going back over an area that has already been coated unless it has been allowed to sufficiently cure.
Benjamin Moore AURA® may also be sprayed with an airless sprayer. It is recommended to use an airless sprayer that supports a 0.013-0.017 tip. A 0.013 tip would be ideal for your wood and trim finishing. For general interior walls a 517 standard airless tip would be a good airless tip option. When using an airless sprayer, no thinner is required. Extender may be applied or used for longevity of the coating. Tools and your airless sprayer can be cleaned with a soapy water and no other cleaning agents are required due to the waterborne design of Benjamin Moore AURA®.
Sprayers for Benjamin Moore Aura
Wagner Spraytech Control Pro 150 1500 PSI @ 0.29 GPM Sprayer - Skid
The Control Pro 150 High Efficiency Airless™ takes the fear out of airless spraying, making it easier to paint like a Pro. The HEA system’s new tip technology decreases overspray by up to 55 percent while delivering softer spray, improving control and providing a more-consistent finish.
Graco 390 PC 3300 PSI @ 0.47 GPM Electric Airless Sprayer - Stand
The 390 PC Stand is a solid workhorse built for the professional just “starting out.” Lightweight and portable, it's easy to lift and carry. The 390 PC is the ideal sprayer for residential jobs, and is the best value in small electric sprayers.
Graco Finish Pro GX19 Airless Sprayer
The FinishPro GX 19 is the fast, portable and affordable solution for small finishing jobs every finishing contractor faces. Graco's proven piston pump and RAC X FF LP SwitchTip quickly lay down a smooth finish. The ProXChange Pump provides fast on-the-job pump replacement – no tools required.
OVERALL / SUMMARY OF Application of Benjamin Moore AURA®
As mentioned, Benjamin Moore AURA® provides superior coverage and good protection for variety of interior and exterior home projects. The zero VOC design minimizes chemical exposure and the water borne based formulation makes it easy to clean and use for variety of projects from wood to concrete or more. Following the tips in this guide, like ensuring you have a properly prepped surface, using the correct primer for the project, and by following the correct equipment suggestions mentioned, will allow you to achieve good quality and consistent finishes when you’re using Benjamin Moore AURA®. For more information you can always check the technical data sheet here.