What an amazing review. You reviewed each paint completely. EMEREALD for me. If I'm going to send so much time painting cabinets, I want the best results. Thank you for this review.
WOW. These reviews are a million times more useful than other channels with a million subscribers. I bet the paint companies are bribing RUclips to promote channels that don't do such thorough comparisons.
I literally edited out a clip where I said, "clearly, no one is paying me to say this. Have you looked at my subscriber count?" 😂 seriously though, I'm so sick of seeing paid promotions for review videos.
Im impressed with this paint comparison video. I've spent countless hours doing research. Wish i would have found this video sooner. It's definitely the best video I've seen so far. Thank you. You gained a subscriber.
Thanks for taking the time to do this. I started out a few years ago with BM Advance and a $9 Harbor Freight gun that I drilled out so it would spray latex. I've been through so many of these different paints. Think about stepping up to a pigmented poly (1K/2K). I tried Envirolak recently. What a difference. Factory like finish and near bulletproof, even as a 1K. I have also heard great things about ICRO and Renner. Only problem is that these products are near impossible to get. I really like the convenience of being able to buy local. Still, after seeing the results, I will deal with having to order. Also, an airless sprayer with fine finish tips is the answer for the modern waterborne coatings. That single stage Wagner HVLP unit really struggles with waterborne stuff.
Thanks for sharing this very good test of cabinet paints. I was just looking at Benjamin Moore's Advance paint this afternoon. Your review helped me to choose Benjamin Moore Advance paint (high quality product and bonus: their store is near my home!). Thanks again! I'm going to check out some of your other videos on paint supplies.
Be careful. Advance will yellow substantially in lighter coatings. Even the BM reps will admit that. 14 hour recoat time is also brutal. If you are going BM, think about the newer products like Scuff-X or Command. Neither will yellow.
This is the best comparative study I have ever seen! Thank you for your "Herculean" efforts on our behalf. Perhaps you could consider a test of S-W's product Gallery?
When spraying, I like to use my HVLP sprayer for the primer, I use BIN Shellac without thinning. Top coats I use my Graco airless with either a .308 or .310 FFLP tip in the RAC X guard
Really great video and useful info! Some of the issues with spraying thicker paints I think also come from the sprayer you're using. I believe I have the same one and it did disappoint with the fine finish gun...so it's a good thing you used the standard / wall one it comes with. From reading, I think a Graco HVLP or airless would be the better option. I take it you didn't thin any of these for the spray tests? Also were you filtering them as Wagner says to do?
I have a $2,900 Apollo Precision Pro 5 stage HVLP. Even it cannot handle any of these modern waterborne finishes well without thinning. Airless with fine finish tip is the way to go with the modern paints. Trying to get a decent finish with the single-stage Wagner HVLP she is using is generally a losing battle. Even if you filter the paint... Unless you thin way beyond what is allowed by the technical data sheet (TDS) for the paint, that single-stage Wagner turbine cannot generate enough PSI to atomize those coatings. Not even close. Think about it. Instructions for the $3K Apollo with five stages state that you need to thin...
Great video! Looks like you used an HVLP sprayer. I have used both the BM and SW paints for trim, love them both! Curious how they worked in the sprayer. How much did you have to thin those paints to work in the sprayer? Thank you!
What a GREAT video, Very detailed with TONS of GREAT information! I sure appreciate the time and effort you put into this and I will be taking you're advice on the top 2 paint brands to refinish my home cabinets and drawers. I liked and subscribed and will be watch more of you're videos! What primer do you recommend for the Emerald or Advance paint, Or what did you use on this experiment?
THanks for the video! Great detail. It's made me reconsider my choice of paint with an upcoming cabinet repaint. Behr Cabinet, Door and Trim paint was shown in the video but no feedback noted. Any experience or advice with this product?
INSL X Sprays beautifully when you’re not using a cheap throwaway sprayer. If you do a lot of painting Id recommend getting something a little better. I was getting good results with the Graco handheld sprayer before I upgraded.
1/4" mohair roller - that or a high density foam roller I've found are the best for hybrid alkyds. I honestly don't remember the spray setting for Advance. I always test spray on cardboard to get it right. I know it didn't require the highest setting- somewhere midrange I believe.
I've read many articles that say Pro Classic is the number one cabinet paint. Why did you think it isn't good on cabinets? Did you try it on cabinets? I did and it still looks like new sprayed on after 6 years rolling it. Not trying to be snarky btw. Thanks for the video.
Which purdy brush did you use? And I also didn't see a link to a primer comparison video? I'm have to repaint cabinets, doors, trim and walls. (Plus I might try my hand at painting over some Ikea MDF furniture) and would be interested to see if there is one primer to rule them all as use for anything before I buy the paint for the various projects. Thank you for this video, I was planning on buying the Behr paint for my cabinets because of the price point, now I'm going to wait until the Emerald goes on sale. Thank you for helping me make a wise decision!
Hi! Yes, 100% wait for SW sale. I'm still working on the primer video. There are a few that worked well, but my top recommendation to use on both cabinets and IKEA mdf or laminate would be BIN synthetic shellac. Available at any home improvement store. BIN shellac primer also works well, but more difficult clean up makes it a hassle. Synthetic shellac is water based but performed as well as shellac in my test!
Hello, can you make a video on the type of paint to use for baseboards and trim that will last? I’ve painted over an ugly color of wood baseboards and it’s chipped only 2yrs in.
I actually recommend hybrid alkyd paint for baseboards, trims and doors too! SW Emerald is my favorite (I prefer semi gloss for baseboards and trim), but any of the top paints in this video work beautifully on trim as well
Ive used BM Advance countless times, sprayed, brushed and rolled never had any bubbles? IMO best one out there way more durable than SW Emerald.. Advance levels out fantastic but as stated has a 16 hour recoat that is a pain; however, if painting a cabinet I want durability so will deal with it. I recently painted a door and since Advance is only available in semi gloss for exterior I used Emerald, i will say it sprays nice & levels off fantastic but I am not seeing the durability people say about it at all. After i let the paint cure for 2 days I installed it, left some dirty hand prints on the blue so grabbed a wet paper towel and lightly wiped off to see marks where I wiped it? No matter what I did they never went away and had to touch up area then we have pollen in full swing so the black lockset was covered in that I wanted wiped off in doing so my nearly existent finger nails ever so lightly scratched the paint and left a mark that I had touch up. I had left over paint so used on my plastic shutters had same experience with lack of durability, scratched so easily and found myself touching up constantly. It was so bad that i went Home Depot and had them mix up Premium Plus exterior satin and SW color and used this. I used Emerald white color on my interior trim and doors and that is the only time I will ever use it. I recently sprayed a bathroom cabinet using Advance, looks fantastic cleans up excellent and a very hard finish that has yet yo scratch.
BM Advance is #1. What this video and many others might not know/realize that Advance doesn’t get to full hardness till 20-30 days later. At full cure it is superior to all others.
Very cool video, thanks! Say, is it a common thing among alkyd paints to become durable after 90 days? I ask because I painted 3 desks with alkyd, and after 2 months the paint is still a little soft and rather easy to scratch.
I found it depends on the brand. Emerald, Advance, Inslix cure very quickly. But Behr took longer, and never achieved a full level hardening that I would want.
@@RefreshLiving Then Behr has the same issues like the german brand I'm using. How about painting a protective layer over it? Do you have any experience with that?
I find SW ProClassic to be slightly more textured with a little grit. Emerald is smoother, but the satin black is more matte than I'd expect for a satin, so there's less shine which I think makes it looks less smooth (but it feels super smooth)
Could you cover safecoat ecolacq for tbose of us conscious about relatively non toxic ingredients. Im sure the results wont be as impressive but will be interesting to see.
@@RefreshLiving Just FYI, per another painter who advised me: The cross-linker (hardener) is still under 'Sayerlack' on the SW *Industrial* site/catalog!
You need to dilute the paint by minimum 15% if you want to spray better yet do it at 20% even when the paint manufacturers tell you not to dilute. You will get a better spray pattern by mixing it 20%
This is fact. My Benjamin Moore dealer sells more BM paint than anyone in the state. The manager has told me that even the BM reps will tell you off the record that you often need to thin beyond what the TDS allows if you are spraying with HVLP. With airless, you can shoot it right out of the can.
Now take the Emerald Urethane and put it on different primers: BIN shellac (not synthetic), BIN synthetic shellac, and some others to determine the top three primers, best of best, best budget, best roll on, best spray on. 8)
I’m quite confused on all this terminology… like the concept of different “lines” of paint in the same brand? Is there a paint distinctions 101 video? Advanced and Emerald don’t get what those mean …
Great question! It's amazing all the different types of paint there are out there now. I don't have a video (although I should make one!) but I have a post that explains how the types of paint are different: refreshliving.us/best-paint-furniture/ (All the brands in this video fall into the "water-based alkyd" category)
RefreshLiving is the BM Cabinet paint not an acrylic polyurethane? The reason why I ask is alklyd paints (such as BM Advance) have some oil and therefore may yellow over time which is a v important consideration if you're painting white. I can't see why you'd go with an alkyld if painting white. Surely acrylic polyurethane is the better option there.
I like advance and Emerald. The problem I have is Sherwin Williams is a rip off. If you can run 40% off sales,then the rest of the time they are screwing you over.p.s being in construction the reason Alot of painters use Sherwin Williams is because they pay half of what the consumer pays and they will deliver it to the jobsite not because its a superior paint
This is fact. The contractor discount is generally 50. Another fact: if you own pretty much any type of business, they will let you open an account. That said, I do like a few of their products. The Emerald Matte wall finish is amazing. Will lay down with nearly no stipple (read: spray like) with a microfiber roller.
That surprising, Sherwin-Williams as a brand overall has given more headaches than any other and I completely stopped using or trusting any of their products as a professional painter.
What an amazing review. You reviewed each paint completely. EMEREALD for me. If I'm going to send so much time painting cabinets, I want the best results. Thank you for this review.
WOW. These reviews are a million times more useful than other channels with a million subscribers. I bet the paint companies are bribing RUclips to promote channels that don't do such thorough comparisons.
I literally edited out a clip where I said, "clearly, no one is paying me to say this. Have you looked at my subscriber count?" 😂 seriously though, I'm so sick of seeing paid promotions for review videos.
This video- is what I’ve been looking for sis! Thank you ☺️!!
So glad it was helpful!!!
Not surprised the SW Emerald line is fantastic in each category. 🐐
Very helpful video! You gained a subscriber. What type of primer did you use on the cabinet?
Im impressed with this paint comparison video. I've spent countless hours doing research. Wish i would have found this video sooner. It's definitely the best video I've seen so far. Thank you. You gained a subscriber.
Thank you so much. I'm glad it was helpful!
Thank you great job. I was looking for this type of paint and you nailed it, good work.
Thanks for taking the time to do this. I started out a few years ago with BM Advance and a $9 Harbor Freight gun that I drilled out so it would spray latex. I've been through so many of these different paints. Think about stepping up to a pigmented poly (1K/2K). I tried Envirolak recently. What a difference. Factory like finish and near bulletproof, even as a 1K. I have also heard great things about ICRO and Renner. Only problem is that these products are near impossible to get. I really like the convenience of being able to buy local. Still, after seeing the results, I will deal with having to order. Also, an airless sprayer with fine finish tips is the answer for the modern waterborne coatings. That single stage Wagner HVLP unit really struggles with waterborne stuff.
Thanks for sharing this very good test of cabinet paints. I was just looking at Benjamin Moore's Advance paint this afternoon. Your review helped me to choose Benjamin Moore Advance paint (high quality product and bonus: their store is near my home!). Thanks again! I'm going to check out some of your other videos on paint supplies.
It really is an amazing paint! I'm glad it was helpful 🙂
Be careful. Advance will yellow substantially in lighter coatings. Even the BM reps will admit that. 14 hour recoat time is also brutal. If you are going BM, think about the newer products like Scuff-X or Command. Neither will yellow.
This was exactly what I wanted to know thanks!
So glad to hear it. It was actually super helpful for me too because I used one right after the other. The only way to actually remember!
Best video ever thanks for all the hard work
This is the best comparative study I have ever seen! Thank you for your "Herculean" efforts on our behalf. Perhaps you could consider a test of S-W's product Gallery?
When spraying, I like to use my HVLP sprayer for the primer, I use BIN Shellac without thinning.
Top coats I use my Graco airless with either a .308 or .310 FFLP tip in the RAC X guard
Thank you for these specific settings! I love spraying BIN shellac primer as is too
This is the way. Airless with fine finish tips is the way to spray the modern waterbornes. The Graco Ultimate Quick Shot is worth the price tag!
Epic side by side!
Wow! What an incredibly detailed video. Thank you for all of this investigative work you've done for us.
You're so welcome! I felt like I couldn't actually compare them until using them at the exact same time, and ended up learning a lot
Really great video and useful info! Some of the issues with spraying thicker paints I think also come from the sprayer you're using. I believe I have the same one and it did disappoint with the fine finish gun...so it's a good thing you used the standard / wall one it comes with. From reading, I think a Graco HVLP or airless would be the better option. I take it you didn't thin any of these for the spray tests? Also were you filtering them as Wagner says to do?
I have a $2,900 Apollo Precision Pro 5 stage HVLP. Even it cannot handle any of these modern waterborne finishes well without thinning. Airless with fine finish tip is the way to go with the modern paints. Trying to get a decent finish with the single-stage Wagner HVLP she is using is generally a losing battle. Even if you filter the paint... Unless you thin way beyond what is allowed by the technical data sheet (TDS) for the paint, that single-stage Wagner turbine cannot generate enough PSI to atomize those coatings. Not even close. Think about it. Instructions for the $3K Apollo with five stages state that you need to thin...
Great video! Looks like you used an HVLP sprayer. I have used both the BM and SW paints for trim, love them both! Curious how they worked in the sprayer. How much did you have to thin those paints to work in the sprayer? Thank you!
super excited to see the primer test!
Did you sand before applying the primer?
Thank you so much! This is a great video!
Thank you!! So glad you liked it and found it helpful
What a GREAT video, Very detailed with TONS of GREAT information! I sure appreciate the time and effort you put into this and I will be taking you're advice on the top 2 paint brands to refinish my home cabinets and drawers. I liked and subscribed and will be watch more of you're videos! What primer do you recommend for the Emerald or Advance paint, Or what did you use on this experiment?
THanks for the video! Great detail. It's made me reconsider my choice of paint with an upcoming cabinet repaint. Behr Cabinet, Door and Trim paint was shown in the video but no feedback noted. Any experience or advice with this product?
Thanks!!!
Do you need to sand and prime first?
Excellent comparison! Thank you.
INSL X Sprays beautifully when you’re not using a cheap throwaway sprayer. If you do a lot of painting Id recommend getting something a little better. I was getting good results with the Graco handheld sprayer before I upgraded.
What roller where you using for this test?
What setting did you use for the sprayer? I have the same one and plan on using Advance.
1/4" mohair roller - that or a high density foam roller I've found are the best for hybrid alkyds. I honestly don't remember the spray setting for Advance. I always test spray on cardboard to get it right. I know it didn't require the highest setting- somewhere midrange I believe.
I've read many articles that say Pro Classic is the number one cabinet paint. Why did you think it isn't good on cabinets? Did you try it on cabinets? I did and it still looks like new sprayed on after 6 years rolling it. Not trying to be snarky btw. Thanks for the video.
Which purdy brush did you use? And I also didn't see a link to a primer comparison video? I'm have to repaint cabinets, doors, trim and walls. (Plus I might try my hand at painting over some Ikea MDF furniture) and would be interested to see if there is one primer to rule them all as use for anything before I buy the paint for the various projects. Thank you for this video, I was planning on buying the Behr paint for my cabinets because of the price point, now I'm going to wait until the Emerald goes on sale. Thank you for helping me make a wise decision!
Hi! Yes, 100% wait for SW sale. I'm still working on the primer video. There are a few that worked well, but my top recommendation to use on both cabinets and IKEA mdf or laminate would be BIN synthetic shellac. Available at any home improvement store. BIN shellac primer also works well, but more difficult clean up makes it a hassle. Synthetic shellac is water based but performed as well as shellac in my test!
Hello, can you make a video on the type of paint to use for baseboards and trim that will last? I’ve painted over an ugly color of wood baseboards and it’s chipped only 2yrs in.
I actually recommend hybrid alkyd paint for baseboards, trims and doors too! SW Emerald is my favorite (I prefer semi gloss for baseboards and trim), but any of the top paints in this video work beautifully on trim as well
Ive used BM Advance countless times, sprayed, brushed and rolled never had any bubbles? IMO best one out there way more durable than SW Emerald.. Advance levels out fantastic but as stated has a 16 hour recoat that is a pain; however, if painting a cabinet I want durability so will deal with it. I recently painted a door and since Advance is only available in semi gloss for exterior I used Emerald, i will say it sprays nice & levels off fantastic but I am not seeing the durability people say about it at all. After i let the paint cure for 2 days I installed it, left some dirty hand prints on the blue so grabbed a wet paper towel and lightly wiped off to see marks where I wiped it? No matter what I did they never went away and had to touch up area then we have pollen in full swing so the black lockset was covered in that I wanted wiped off in doing so my nearly existent finger nails ever so lightly scratched the paint and left a mark that I had touch up. I had left over paint so used on my plastic shutters had same experience with lack of durability, scratched so easily and found myself touching up constantly. It was so bad that i went Home Depot and had them mix up Premium Plus exterior satin and SW color and used this. I used Emerald white color on my interior trim and doors and that is the only time I will ever use it. I recently sprayed a bathroom cabinet using Advance, looks fantastic cleans up excellent and a very hard finish that has yet yo scratch.
BM Advance is #1. What this video and many others might not know/realize that Advance doesn’t get to full hardness till 20-30 days later. At full cure it is superior to all others.
Very cool video, thanks! Say, is it a common thing among alkyd paints to become durable after 90 days? I ask because I painted 3 desks with alkyd, and after 2 months the paint is still a little soft and rather easy to scratch.
I found it depends on the brand. Emerald, Advance, Inslix cure very quickly. But Behr took longer, and never achieved a full level hardening that I would want.
@@RefreshLiving Then Behr has the same issues like the german brand I'm using. How about painting a protective layer over it? Do you have any experience with that?
Amazing review!
Do you find the top SW satin paints to have a slightly gritty texture? It looks good but not smooth to touch.
I find SW ProClassic to be slightly more textured with a little grit. Emerald is smoother, but the satin black is more matte than I'd expect for a satin, so there's less shine which I think makes it looks less smooth (but it feels super smooth)
Those micro bubbles are called fish eyes and there are a few reasons that cause it. Thanks for providing such a thorough review!
Could you cover safecoat ecolacq for tbose of us conscious about relatively non toxic ingredients. Im sure the results wont be as impressive but will be interesting to see.
Why didn’t you try gallery paint?
Nice test!
I've heard SW Gallery Series is even better than Emerald. SW bought Sayerlack paint and renamed it Gallery.
Thanks for sharing this. I had no idea - now I need to try it!
@@RefreshLiving Just FYI, per another painter who advised me:
The cross-linker (hardener) is still under 'Sayerlack' on the SW *Industrial* site/catalog!
Such a great video. Thank you!!
Great review.
I used Cabinet Coat and you have to thin it….it sprays beautifully once thinned a bit
That was the BEST review I have ever experienced in my 48 yes on earth 😂🎉❤
Phenomenal video! ❤
Very informative video. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!
You need to dilute the paint by minimum 15% if you want to spray better yet do it at 20% even when the paint manufacturers tell you not to dilute. You will get a better spray pattern by mixing it 20%
This is fact. My Benjamin Moore dealer sells more BM paint than anyone in the state. The manager has told me that even the BM reps will tell you off the record that you often need to thin beyond what the TDS allows if you are spraying with HVLP. With airless, you can shoot it right out of the can.
How much colorant added makes a difference. The more darker and put in the more diluted the paint and less durable.
A little constructive criticism, try using actual cabinet grade finish, Renner,Envirolac ,Milesi , ICRO , Centurion,etc
Now take the Emerald Urethane and put it on different primers: BIN shellac (not synthetic), BIN synthetic shellac, and some others to determine the top three primers, best of best, best budget, best roll on, best spray on. 8)
It's like you're reading my mind!! I have so many ideas for tests to run. This whole teaching gig is getting in the way of my paint tests 🙃
I just subscribed, knowing that I want to see the primer test.........No pressure though.....
I’m quite confused on all this terminology… like the concept of different “lines” of paint in the same brand? Is there a paint distinctions 101 video? Advanced and Emerald don’t get what those mean …
Great question! It's amazing all the different types of paint there are out there now. I don't have a video (although I should make one!) but I have a post that explains how the types of paint are different: refreshliving.us/best-paint-furniture/ (All the brands in this video fall into the "water-based alkyd" category)
RefreshLiving is the BM Cabinet paint not an acrylic polyurethane? The reason why I ask is alklyd paints (such as BM Advance) have some oil and therefore may yellow over time which is a v important consideration if you're painting white. I can't see why you'd go with an alkyld if painting white. Surely acrylic polyurethane is the better option there.
I like advance and Emerald. The problem I have is Sherwin Williams is a rip off. If you can run 40% off sales,then the rest of the time they are screwing you over.p.s being in construction the reason Alot of painters use Sherwin Williams is because they pay half of what the consumer pays and they will deliver it to the jobsite not because its a superior paint
This is fact. The contractor discount is generally 50. Another fact: if you own pretty much any type of business, they will let you open an account. That said, I do like a few of their products. The Emerald Matte wall finish is amazing. Will lay down with nearly no stipple (read: spray like) with a microfiber roller.
Csnt find the Sherwin Emerald anywhere
Try going to a Sherwin Williams store
Oh
That surprising, Sherwin-Williams as a brand overall has given more headaches than any other and I completely stopped using or trusting any of their products as a professional painter.
I’m really gross. I make more messes than Any of my kids or grandkids. 🙄. I’m a mess.