Is Ben Moore Aura worth the money?

Before you drop $75.00 for a gallon of paint, shouldn’t you know, is Ben Moor Arura worth the money?    That is a lot for a single gallon of paint.  First, let’s review some quick facts:

Is it:

• Zero VOC
• Low Splatter
• Water Clean-up
• Can it be matched to any color?
• Mildew resistant
• It uses Genex colors that resist fading with extra UV protection.
• Beautiful finish

But is Ben Moore Aura worth the $75.00 asking price?

How does it Cover?

Ben Moore Aura is known for its coverage.  It is probably its biggest selling point.  It is thick and has great first coverage capabilities.   

I have used Arura since the first year it came out and have always found it to cover better than any other latex semi-gloss. With that said, most time, it will still need a second coat. 

If the paint is more than a shade is more than a little different, plan on applying two coats.   

Grade: Coverage 10 out of 10

My rule of thumb is to give a 10 out of 10 if a paint covers easily in 2 coats, and certainly, the Arura semi-gloss does that and more.

Workability 

You will have little problems working with BM Arura semi.  It glides on very easily, and I can get around 36-40″ out of one dip of the brush. Which is exceptionally good.  If the paint can spread 28-32″, I give it a 10 out of 10.  This exceeds that that by plenty.

Workability Grade 10 out of 10 

So far so good, but is Ben Moore Aura worth the cost?

Evaluating its Touch-up ability

I did not paint Arura Semi-gloss on the walls where the light shines in such a way to expose the faintest touch-up spots.  But I could not find that applying an additional coat changed the sheen of the paint.  I touched up numerous places and found the sheen uniform throughout.

Painting walls with a semi-gloss has gone out of style.  When it is done, it is mostly to get maximum washability. 

Touch-Up Grade 10 Out of 10 

If washability is your number one concern, then my answer to the question of “Is Ben Moore Aura worth the money”   not for washing. 

Is Ben Moore Aura Worth the money? Washability is an important factor.

The washability of the Aura did not do very well compared to other premium paints.  We applied:

• catsup
• mustard
• pencil
• crayon
• red wine  (Merlot)
• coffee (dark roast)

and allowed the stains to dry for 24 hours.  

The soiled areas were cleaned with;

• Krud Kutter
• Spray Nine
• Simple Green
• Orange Cleaner
• Bleach and water solution

All of the stains came off after a couple of minutes using a micro-fiber cloth.  There were just two problems.  First, the paint got very soft and sticky. Second, the paint scratched off with my fingernail.  

I do the same test with all the 21 other paints, and only three other products have this issue.

• Sherwin Williams Emerald Gloss
• Ben Moore Regals Select Semi-Gloss
• Ben Moore Ben Semi-Gloss

My guess is when you make a paint zero VOC; you take some of the necessary ingredients out to make a paint washable and durable.  I prefer to see low VOC on a paint can unless the customer is pregnant or has special health circumstances. 

Washability Grade: 8 out of 10

Durability

  The durability of the paint does soften with the cleaning.  The stickiness was not subtle. However, if I did not purposely scratch the paint, it would not have come off.  Also, once the cleaning surfaces dried, the paint went back to its hard, smooth finish. 

Durability Grade 9 out of 10

When cleaners are not applied, the finish is hard, smooth durable.  I had no problem wiping off stains with mild dishwasher detergent.  However, the house cleaners did soften up the paint if the chemical were left on for a couple of minutes.

To answer the question, “Is Ben Moore Aura worth the money?”

  My answer may surprise you.   Because Arura semi-gloss  best quality is its coverage, I would use if: 

1. I was selling the house and wanted to try and change the trim color in one coat.
2. I had smooth finished wood doors (not Masonite wood grain doors).
3. Interior columns and pillars 
4. Smooth woodwork surfaces
5. Walls – only if you were trying to get away with one coat.  It would have to be a slight color change.  
6. When you want the paint to self-level.   

Where I would NOT recommend using Arura Semi-gloss

1. Kitchen cabinets – due to its weakness in the washability

      2. Bookcases – Ben Moore Advance, C2 Cabinet Grade Paint would be better choices

     3. Walls – if you are planning on applying two coats. 

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