Aura: .......My Story

KellyPainting

Well, I used it today for the first time... a small bathroom going from a midtone to another midtone. not that far off of color. used a 2 1/2 inch purdy to cut. And a 1/8 nap Ben Moore to roll.

Started by cutting the whole thing in.... I've been told to cut first and let dry... or I'll be screwed. Paint flew everywhere... off my brush like crazy... yup
was cutting over a tub... w/ out drop.. (cuz I'm that good) and I dripped everywhere... like I was slopping stain on a exterior.

Next was the drips... ya know when you use Ralph Lauren or bear when you cut a line it will drag down on ya? well all my edges had a run... and when you tried to smooth it out it just dragged the paint.

Next was the rolling, not that bad to keep the roller wet... my main thing was drying too fast. It would screw up the finish if you hit an area after a minute or so. AND IT TOOK 2 COATS !!!!!!!

The final part was the brush... dried on paint like I was Painting outside in 100 degree heat. Had it in my pan for an hour or so, dried a little bit on me (more than all other paints) but nothing I couldn't handle.

My overall score is 4 out of 10... I would't use it again unless I had to.
I'll take regal matt anyday.

Just thought you'd like to know................

PlainPainter

Thanks for the post - I ran into one of my old paint dealers for muralo. He sold his business to a rival Ben Moore dealer - and still works for the guy. Supposedly he said - the news has been great about Aura, which was totally unexpected - and surprised him as he is no Ben Moore fan either. Anyways thanks for the post - personally I don't see what is wrong with paints like P&L Redseal -or Muralo superpaints. In actuality - those paints and even ACE royal touch have time to time given me incredible one coat coverage - especially Ace.

Flikka

Who is saying that it is great? The BM reps? What I have read here tells me that the product is not something I would want to sell to a client in terms of performance but.....hasn't this product been introduced to meet enviromental issues? If so, will it be something that painters will just have to get used to as more and more companies produce their own environmentally safe products?

Here in Canada BM has re-formulated their Collection line. The dealer told me that it also dries much faster and that you either have to cut a few feet then roll then cut a few more feet ect or cut the whole room go do something else and then roll. Sounds much like the aura paint. I received a coupon in the mail for a free gallon of the Collection paint.....think I'll use it on my daughters university room rental to check it out.......though the colour she's chosen may not be a fair test of the paint.

Cheers
Mary

KellyPainting

I used a coupon.....

George Z

The reviews from painters have been mixed. I think most like it.
It will perform. The chemistry is there for it to perform.
Is it difficult to use?
When their Matte first came out, I remember similar complaints.
Now we use a lot of it.
It is low VOC product, but their Ecospec is still the best choice for that.

Now, whether you will "sell" it to a client or not...
Benjamin Moore, here anyway, seems to market to consumers first.
The product will be pre-sold.
The consumer will want contractors to apply it.
The question is: would you try to talk to them out of it?

I tried it, I think it is a superior product.

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PlainPainter

You want a 1 coat paint without the drying problems - try Muralo's superpaint. Heck on new plaster walls, have the primer tinted and then put on one coat. Much easier to apply, looks great, half the cost!

KellyPainting

The other thing is... That it's expensive to bring that line into a store,
even if you carry ben moore there is a significant amount of money involved. It's either a order paid up front or an promotional package sort of thing... my store told me about it (I wasn't paying allot of attention). The bottom line is there is an obligation to sell it once a store stocks it..

Flikka

George, 'here' is not far from me. I'm just a 30 minute drive or so north of Toronto. Generally speaking my clients trust my judgement and put on their walls what ever I suggest. Up until this past winter I was soley a BM pusher until I tried Farrow & Ball, now I paint with both.......it depends on the budget. I've been told it will be quite a while before my dealer puts up the money for the new pigment machine for the Aura so I guess it will be a while before I try it.....my dealer doesn't stock the Ecospeck either but will order it in when requested. Country living is just about perfect........though it does come with some limitations.

Have a great weekend all.

Cheers
Mary

chris n

Mary says".though the colour she's chosen may not be a fair test of the paint"

Black?

George Z

Farrow & Ball is a great low VOC alternative, we use it a lot.
Whether materials are 12% or 15% of the painting budget should not make or break the deal.
In the city, you do a sales call and they are happy and excited to use
that B. Moore wonder colour or paint they just saw on television or magazine.
It is not up to me to change their minds and make a sale for another paint company.
My job is to sell my company, not the manufacturer of paint.

The way the Aura is supposed to work in Toronto is this:
The buzz is happening, the demand is building, the requests are in.

That type of marketing will eventually beg the question:

"Are you in or out?"

That goes for the paint stores too.
Is this a store that has the new Aura equipment?
If not, there is one around the corner.

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