Spraying Benjamin Moore® Advanced® Paint Complete Guide
Benjamin Moore® Advanced® paint is a great cabinet finish that can result in a durable finish that doesn’t fade or change. If you’re working with Benjamin Moore® Advanced® you may be wandering how you can apply it to get a smooth glass like finish. For the smoothest looking finish spraying Benjamin Moore® Advanced® will be ideal, you can also roll Benjamin Moore® Advanced®. Will cover both options in this guide as well as provide specific recommendations for equipment options that will allow you to easily achieve a smooth consistent finish.
Two Options to Spray Benjamin Moore® Advanced®
You can apply Benjamin Moore® Advanced® with an HVLP sprayer or with an airless sprayer. An HVLP will create less overspray but to have sufficient power to atomize Benjamin Moore® Advanced® may be a bit more expensive. An airless sprayer will generally create more overspray and provide slightly less control but can be easier to use for a new painter and can be bought for less. For more on the differences between HVLP and Airless and to see if one will be best for you, check out this article here.
What if You Don’t Want to Spray?
If you don’t want to spray you can use a microfiber roller or a nylon/polyester blend brush. Generally, the roller should provide a smoother finish compared to the brush.
Spray Equipment Suggestions for Benjamin Moore® Advanced®
HVLP
If you are planning on spraying Benjamin Moore® Advanced® and have decided that the extra control, potential for a finer finish, and reduced overspray that HVLP provides is best compared to an airless sprayer, then you it’s important to decide which HVLP sprayer will help spray the product well. There will be two types of HVLP that you can use depending on if you have a compressor available or not, one will be a HVLP turbine and the other a HVLP Spray gun that runs off a compressor.
Spraying Benjamin Moore with HVLP
For Benjamin Moore® Advanced® we recommend a turbine with a minimum of 3 stages though a 4 or 5 stage HVLP turbine will make it much easier to spray a smooth finish and will require less material thinning. When using a HVLP turbine you want to match the proper tip to the paint you’re spraying. For Benjamin Moore® Advanced® satin usually a 1.8 mm tip will allow you to easily spray the product. For semi-gloss a 1.5 mm tip set will be a good option. While these are the common tips sizes that are often used, you can adjust accordingly to your spray technique. If you want more paint out of the gun increase the tip size, if you want less paint reduce the tip size. As far as setting the spray pressure for a turbine if you have a pressure adjustment you can start at the middle to upper middle setting of output pressure, if you find you have orange peel you can increase the pressure. Additionally when spraying Benjamin Moore® Advanced® with HVLP you can thin the paint about 4 ounces per gallon, this will help ensure a smooth finish. Thinning will be more important with 3 stage turbine.
If you have a compressor available then a HVLP spray gun that uses your compressor can provide great performance and be less expensive than a turbine, more on Turbines vs Compressed Air HVLP can be found here. For a compressed air HVLP you will usually end up using a 1.8 mm tip. With a gravity fed compressed air HVLP, you will usually need to thin the product 5-10 percent. For a pressure feed HVLP, less thinning will be required.
Airless
Spraying Benjamin Moore® Advanced® with an airless can provide a finish similar in quality to HVLP. It will typically be a bit faster when spraying as well. However, cleanup does take a bit longer and there can be more overspray. If you decide spraying Benjamin Moore® Advanced® with airless is ideal the following tips will help you get a great finish.
1.) Use a fine finish airless tip – A fine finish airless tip has a double orifice and creates better break up than a standard airless tip below are two common fine finish airless tips.
2.) No need to thin with an airless – When spraying with an airless you shouldn’t need to thin Benjamin Moore® Advanced®
3.) Choose the Right Tip Size – For a fine finish tip you will want to use a 11 to 15 thousands tip, for maximum control you can use a tip like a 311 while for more material you could use a 313 or 315, generally a 313 will be great to start with and if you find you need more paint go to a 315 if you want less use a 311.
4.) Control your spray pressure – You can get good results usually with 1500 – 2500 psi from your airless, you don’t need to use the full pressure that the sprayer can spray at (most airless spray at 3300 PSI) higher pressure than needed results in extra overspray.
Common Problems and Solutions when Spraying Benjamin Moore
1.) My finish is not smooth- If your spraying and not getting a smooth finish that means the paint is not atomizing well. To improve paint atomization you can change 3 things. First you can try to thin the paint, usually you don’t want to thin more than 20 percent. Second, you can increase your spray air pressure. Third you can try a smaller tip size.
2.) My finish has runs – If your getting runs then you need to move faster while spraying or reduce your tip size on your paint equipment.
Recommended Spray Outfits for Benjamin Moore® Advanced®
HVLP Turbines
Entry Level
Fuji Mini-Mite 4 PLATINUM - T70
The Mini-Mite 4 Platinum comes with the Fuji T-70 spray gun, which features a pattern control knob to adjust the fan size from small to large. Fuji installs the same powerful four-stage turbine motor as used in the Q4 Models. The MM4 Platinum does not have the patented noise-reduction feature as seen on the Fuji Q-Models, however the noise level is no more than any other standard HVLP turbine. This model develops approximately 8.5 PSI.
Fuji Mini-Mite 3 PLATINUM - T70
The Mini-Mite 3 Platinum system includes the Fuji T-Series spray gun. Fuji installs the same powerful three-stage turbine motor as used in Q3 Models. The MM3 Platinum does not have the patented noise-reduction feature as seen on the Fuji Q-Models, however the noise level is no more than any other standard HVLP turbine. The MM3 Platinum Turbine develops approximately 6 psi.
Fuji Mini-Mite 4 PLATINUM - T75G
The Mini-Mite 4 Platinum comes with the Fuji T-75G spray gun that features a pattern control knob to adjust the fan size from small to large. Fuji installs the same powerful four-stage turbine motor as used in the Q4 Models. The MM4 Platinum does not have the patented noise-reduction feature as seen on the Fuji Q-Models, however the noise level is no more than any other standard HVLP turbine. This model develops approximately 8.5 psi, allowing for less thinning of paints than any three-stage version.
Fuji Mini-Mite 3 PLATINUM - T75G
The Mini-Mite 3 Platinum system includes the Fuji T-Series Gravity spray gun. Fuji installs the same powerful three-stage turbine motor as used in Q3 Models. The MM3 Platinum Turbine develops approximately 6 psi.
Titan Capspray 95
When more power is needed, professionals rely on the CAPSPRAY™ 95, a powerful, versatile 4-stage turbine unit designed to apply a wide range of coatings, from ultra-thin stains to heavy latex paint. Recommended for medium-size residential and commercial projects.
Graco Finish Pro HVLP 7.0 3 Stage Turbine Standard Series
Engineered for superior atomization in the widest range of materials. Graco HVLPs are the coolest running, longest life HVLP sprayers on the market today.
Professional
Fuji Q4 PLATINUM - T75G Gravity Feed
Fuji Q5 PLATINUM - T75G Gravity Feed
the Fuji Q4 is a 4 stage HVLP turbine that reduces the heat the turbine creates and reduces the sound. Reduced heat produced when spraying allows you to spray longer without the warm air from the turbine impacting your finish. The Fuji Q5 is a 5 stage turbine. Both the Q4 and Q5 only have one tip set included.
Titan Capspray 115 6 Stage HVLP Turbine Paint Sprayer
Titan Capspray 105 5 Stage HVLP Turbine Paint Sprayer
These include two tip sets the 3 and 4 set making them setup well to spray Benjamin Moore® Advanced® the 105 is a 5 stage turbine providing plenty of power for Benjamin Moore® Advanced®. The 115 is the only 6 stage turbine available and gives even more power to atomize Benjamin Moore® Advanced®.
Graco Finish Pro 9.5 5 Stage HVLP Turbine Sprayer Pro Contractor Series
The 9.5 is a 5 stage turbine that includes 3 tips. It also features an auto off option that turns the Turbine off when your not pulling the spray gun trigger. This prevents heat build up and allows for longer spray out sessions. The 9.5 Pro Contractor also includes 3 tip sets giving you everything you need to spray Benjamin Moore® Advanced®.
Compressed air HVLP
Entry Level Gravity feed HVLP
Husky Gravity Feed HVLP Spray Gun
Husky HVLP (high volume-low pressure) technology provides high material transfer efficiency, eliminates paint waste and requires lower air volume. This Husky HVLP spray gun is ideal for high volume paint application for car refurbishing, industrial and woodwork.
Binks SV 100 HVLP Gravity Feed Spray Gun
This version of the SV 100 comes with a 1.4 and a 2.0 MM fluid nozzle. This makes this SV 100 setup a good option if your spraying heavier materials.
Devilbiss Startling Line HVLP Gravity Spray Gun Set
DeVilbiss StartingLine HVLP gravity feed paint and primer spray gun kits include a 1.3mm fluid tip and a 600cc aluminum cup. This setup is ideal for the atomization of base coats, clear coats, and other light-viscosity coatings.
Professional Compressed Air HVLP
Binks 2466-HV1 Trophy
The Binks Trophy HVLP Series Gravity Feed Spray Guns are designed to provide superior finishes in the wood finishing, automotive and industrial marketplace. The Trophy Series Spray Guns feature the rugged construction and dependability that you expect from the Binks brand.
Pressure FED HVLP
Binks 98-3156 Trophy
The Binks Trophy (98-3156) Pressure Feed Spray Gun & 2.8 Gallon Pot Outfit comes in 5 configurations perfect for everyone from craftsmen to production shops. Available in complete gun and cup systems and higher production outfits.
Devilbiss KB Pressure Cuo (2quart) w/ SV100 HVLP Pressure Feed Spray Gun & 6' Foot Fluid & Air Hose
All KB-II style cups are pressure regulated and have a 2.4 quart (77 oz.) capacity. They are designed to be attached to any manual spray gun with air and material hose. The cup may be carried in one hand using the comfortable hand grip or left on the floor while spraying. The KB-II's wide diameter and low profile provides a low center of gravity which increases stability and resists tipping. Models KB-555 and KB-545-SS include a 0-30 psi gauge. KB II cups are supplied with KK5051 disposable cup liners (5 each) to reduce clean up time and cleaning solvent.
Devilbiss KB Pressure Cuo (2quart) w/ HVLP Pressure Fed Spray Gun with 1.0 MM, 1.4 MM, 1.8MM Fluid Nozzle & 6' Foot Fluid & Air Hose
All KB-II style cups are pressure regulated and have a 2.4 quart (77 oz.) capacity. They are designed to be attached to any manual spray gun with air and material hose. The cup may be carried in one hand using the comfortable hand grip or left on the floor while spraying. The KB-II's wide diameter and low profile provides a low center of gravity which increases stability and resists tipping. Models KB-555 and KB-545-SS include a 0-30 psi gauge. KB II cups are supplied with KK5051 disposable cup liners (5 each) to reduce clean up time and cleaning solvent.
Airless
Beginner
Wagner CONTROL PRO 150
Featuring a hopper setup for easy clean up and a High Efficiency Tip that can deliver smooth finishes. The Control Pro 150 will make it easy to achieve a smooth finish with Benjamin Moore® Advanced®.
Magnum X5
The Graco Magnum X5 can be another good choice for spraying Benjamin Moore® Advanced® but doesn’t come with a fine finish tip included, ideally you purchase a fine finish tip separate to get maximum results.
Professional
Titan Impact 440 Skid
The Titan 440 skid offers a lot of performance at a fair price. You can add a hopper accessory to provide easier cleanup making it an ideal setup for smaller or full interior paint projects. You will want to use the sprayer with a fine finish tip for best results.
Titan ED655
Coming with a built in hopper and fine finish airless tip, the ED655 is ideal for the professional looking for a portable easy clean up airless sprayer.
Graco GX 19
The Graco GX 19 comes with a hopper and fine finish tip. This allows it to easily spray Benjamin Moore® Advanced® and have easy clean up.
Elite 3000 Titan Sprayer
The Elite 3000 is a high pressure diaphragm airless sprayer, a high pressure diaphragm doesn’t have as many maintenance parts as a traditional airless. You can also purchase a hopper for this sprayer making it versatile and able to spray using small quantities or from a traditional 5 gallon bucket.
Graco 390
The Graco 390 is a versatile sprayer that can be used for general interior painting and with an optional hopper kit can be used for cabinet finishing.
Tritech T4 Fine Finish Outfit
This outfit includes a hopper, fine finish tip and a Tritech T4. Tritech are built to the highest standard and tend to last longer than other airless pumps on the market between rebuilds.
Overall understanding options on how to spray Benjamin Moore® Advanced® will ensure you get the smooth finish you want to achieve. By knowing the settings and equipment options that will work best you can get great results.