Benjamin Moore Advance Gloss Review

Benjamin Moore Advance Gloss is an interior product, used primarily on woodwork such as windows, doors, skirting, and more. However, it can also be used to paint ceilings, walls and even masonry.

This gloss is a hybrid, meaning it is primarily water-based, but also contains a little bit of Alkyd oil. Available online by clicking here in Super White and over 3,500 colours, this paint will cost you around £25 per litre, making it quite expensive.

Benjamin Moore Advance Gloss is touch dry after 4 – 6 hours, recoat after 16 hours, and fully cured after around 30 days. New surfaces should be primed using an appropriate primer prior to applying Advance Gloss. Previously painted surfaces should be sanded thoroughly to aid adhesion.

The sheen level of Benjamin Moore Advance Gloss is roughly 85% (this can change slightly depending on colour). That’s an impressive ‘shine’ for a water-based gloss!!

My Benjamin Moore Advance Gloss Review

It is very rare that I get asked to use gloss these days, but when I do I opt for Benjamin Moore Advance Gloss, simply because it is the only water-based gloss product I’ve used that almost exceeds the finish you can achieve with one of its oil-based rivals.

With every other water-based gloss I’ve used, there is a noticeable lack of ‘sheen’ unless you put in some serious preparation and extra coats. But even then, I think you can still tell its water-based. It looks stringy and dull.

However, Benjamin Moore Advance Gloss is different; the sheen is comparable to an oil-based gloss. The opacity (how well it covers) is impressive too. Most decorating jobs requite one coat of undercoat followed by a coat of gloss. Follow this process and you’ll get a fantastic finish, but I found the sheen does improve slightly if you give it an extra coat of gloss.

This is easily the best water-based gloss I’ve ever tried. I find it a joy to use with perfect flow. Brush marks just melt away, leaving you with a finish that stands loud and proud! It just looks sharp! Like your woodwork is wearing a suit and tie, or cocktail dress.

It’s durable too, so it will stand up to knocks around your home. Although some will point out Benjamin Moore Advance Gloss does contain a little bit of oil, so will start to yellow over time. But, as a professional decorator I’ve been back to jobs 5 or 6 years later and the gloss always looks mint. Click here to see online prices.

Review Summary

FAQs

Does Benjamin Moore Advance need two coats?

Benjamin Moore Advance paints normally require two coats over previously painted surfaces. If going for a colour change, then you should also apply a coat of undercoat or Stix Primer. If painting a bare surface, then you will definitely need a primer.

Does Benjamin Moore Advance paint turn yellow?

Benjamin Moore Advance paints are alkyd emulsions (hybrids), so they do contain some oil. This means they will yellow over time (especially the gloss), but very slowly. It’s still a much better choice than traditional oil-based gloss.

Do you need to prime before using Benjamin Moore Advance paint?

Most Decorators simply apply two coats of Benjamin Moore Advance over previously painted surfaces. However, I err on the side of caution and apply a coat of Benjamin Moore Stix Primer first.

Is Benjamin Moore’s advance self-levelling?

It has a good open time, meaning it is self-levelling to a point. But if you are having difficulties (particularly on a warm day), try applying the paint with a roller and laying off with a soft brush. The other option is to use a paint conditioner.