Benjamin Moore Advance · Waterborne alkyd enamel
Smooth as oil.
Easy as latex.
Made for cabinets, doors and trim. Advance levels out smooth like a traditional oil enamel and dries to a hard, washable finish, with soap-and-water clean-up. Ready-mixed in White and Black, or tinted to almost any Benjamin Moore colour.
Benjamin Moore Advance Waterborne Alkyd Interior Paint
Couldn't load pickup availability
Benjamin Moore Advance Waterborne Alkyd Interior Paint
Benjamin Moore Advance is a premium waterborne alkyd enamel for cabinets, interior doors and trim. It flows and levels like a traditional oil paint and dries to a tough, washable finish that stands up to repeated cleaning, with soap-and-water clean-up. Ready-mixed in White (01) and Black (80), or tinted to order in almost any Benjamin Moore colour.
Key Features
- Excellent flow and levelling with an extended open time, for a smooth, brush-mark-free finish.
- Durable and block resistant once cured.
- Minimal yellowing and spatter resistant.
- Low VOC, under 50 g/L, with water clean-up.
- Three finishes: Pearl, Semi-Gloss and High-Gloss.
Where to Use It
Interior doors, trim, cabinets, walls and ceilings, over primed or previously painted drywall, plaster, masonry, wood and metal. High-Gloss is also rated for exterior use on primed metal, masonry and stable trim such as cedar. Allow up to 30 days for full hardness and final sheen. Sand glossy alkyds before applying. For quick-turnaround trim, compare Regal Select; for varnished cabinets with less prep, see INSL-X Cabinet Coat.
Specs & Coverage
| Coverage | 400–500 sq ft per 3.79 L |
| Dry time (25 °C, 50% RH) | Touch 4–6 h. Recoat 16 h |
| Sheen @ 60° | Pearl 25–35, Semi-Gloss 50–60, High-Gloss 85+ |
| VOC | Under 50 g/L |
| Apply at | 10–32 °C |
| Spray | Airless 1,500–2,500 psi, 0.011–0.015 tip. HVLP 20 psi, 1.8 tip |
| Clean-up | Warm soapy water |
Application Guide
- Clean and sand; sand cabinets to 220 grit or coarser and dull glossy paint.
- Prime MDF, thermofoil and laminate with Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer.
- Stir well; thinning isn't normally needed.
- Apply even coats and let them level.
- Recoat after 16 hours; wait 5–7 days before loading shelves.
FAQ
1How much Advance do I need?
Each 3.79 L covers 400–500 sq ft per coat, and a 946 mL about 100 sq ft. Most trim, door and cabinet jobs need two coats. Use the paint calculator above for walls, or tell us your project and we'll work it out.
2Which finish should I choose?
Semi-Gloss for most trim, doors and cabinets. Pearl for a softer, lower sheen on cabinets and walls. High-Gloss for a mirror-like front door, furniture or statement trim.
3How long does Advance take to dry?
It's dry to the touch in 4–6 hours and ready to recoat in 16 hours at 25 °C and 50% humidity. Cool or humid rooms take longer. Wait 5–7 days before putting things back on shelves, and allow up to 30 days for full hardness.
4Is Advance good for kitchen cabinets?
Yes. It's made for cabinets: it flows out smooth like an oil and dries to a hard, washable finish. Clean and sand to 220 grit or coarser, prime MDF, thermofoil or laminate with Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer, and lightly sand between coats.
5Can I spray Advance?
Yes. Use an airless sprayer at 1,500–2,500 psi with a 0.011–0.015 tip, or HVLP at 20 psi with a 1.8 tip. Thinning isn't normally needed. Rinse spray equipment with mineral spirits after the water clean-up to prevent rust.
6Can I put Advance over oil-based paint?
Yes, once the old finish is clean and sanded dull. Benjamin Moore says to sand glossy alkyd surfaces before applying Advance.
7Can I use Advance outside?
Only the High-Gloss finish is rated for exterior use, on properly primed metal, masonry and stable trim like cedar and redwood. It isn't recommended outside on pine.
8What colours can Advance be tinted to?
Almost any Benjamin Moore colour. Search by name or number in the colour box above Add to cart. It also comes ready-mixed in White (01) and Black (80). Color Stories (CSP) colours aren't available in Advance.
Canada Shipping
- Enjoy free shipping in Canada on orders over $249. Yukon, NWT, Nunavut not included.
Winter Shipping:
- From December to April, shipping outside of Ontario and Quebec is limited.
- Returns accepted within 35 days from the date of delivery.
- Custom tinted paints are classified as Final Sale items and are not eligible for return or store credit.
Pick your finish
Three finishes, all enamel-hard.
Tap a finish to select it in your order. Most cabinets and trim get Semi-Gloss.
Why painters choose Advance
The oil-paint finish, without the oil.
- 01Levels like an alkydA long open time lets brush and roller marks flow out, for a smooth finish on doors and cabinets.
- 02Dries hardA tough, block-resistant enamel that stands up to repeated washing. It keeps hardening for up to 30 days.
- 03Water clean-upLow odour, under 50 g/L VOC, resists spattering, and brushes wash out with warm soapy water.
Paint calculator
How much do I need?
Enter your room size. We'll work out the cans using 400 sq ft per 3.79 L, the low end of Benjamin Moore's coverage so you don't run short.
Painting trim, doors or cabinets instead of walls? Tell us the job and we'll work out how much you need. Doors count as 20 sq ft and windows as 15 sq ft.
Colour ideas
Start with the favourites.
Browse by colour family. Tap a colour to use it for your order, or search every Benjamin Moore colour in the box above Add to cart.
Ready-mixed, no tinting needed
Screen colours are a guide. Try a colour sample first, or get a designer's help with a Virtual Colour Consultation. Color Stories (CSP) colours aren't available in Advance.
Compare
Advance, Regal Select or Cabinet Coat?
Regal Select Semi-Gloss
- Best for
- Trim and doors you want painted and back in use the same day.
- What you get
- 100% acrylic paint and primer. Dry in an hour, recoat in 3.
- From
Advance
- Best for
- Cabinets, doors and trim where you want an oil-like, brush-mark-free finish.
- What you get
- Waterborne alkyd enamel that levels like oil and dries hard. Recoat in 16 hours.
- From
INSL-X Cabinet Coat
- Best for
- Stained or varnished cabinets you want to paint with less prep.
- What you get
- Urethane acrylic enamel that sticks to varnish and polyurethane without a primer.
- From
Specs
The details.
| Type | Waterborne alkyd enamel |
|---|---|
| Coverage | 400–500 sq ft per 3.79 L. About 100 sq ft per 946 mL |
| Dry time | Touch 4–6 hours. Recoat 16 hours (25 °C, 50% RH) |
| Cure | Shelves and tabletops after 5–7 days. Full hardness and sheen in up to 30 days |
| Sheen | Pearl 25–35, Semi-Gloss 50–60, High-Gloss 85+ (@ 60°) |
| VOC | Under 50 g/L |
| Apply at | 10–32 °C (High-Gloss up to 37.7 °C) |
| Apply with | Nylon/polyester brush, professional roller, airless at 1,500–2,500 psi with a 0.011–0.015 tip, or HVLP at 20 psi with a 1.8 tip |
| Clean-up | Warm soapy water. Rinse spray equipment with mineral spirits |
| Fire rating | Class A (0–25) over non-combustible surfaces, ASTM E-84 |
How to apply
Get a factory finish.
- Clean and sand. Degrease, then sand cabinets to 220 grit or coarser and dull any glossy paint. Remove all dust.
- Prime bare or slick surfaces. Use Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer on MDF, thermofoil and laminate, and a metal primer on bare metal.
- Stir well. Thinning isn't normally needed. If you must, add up to 8 fl oz of clean water per gallon.
- Lay it on and leave it. Apply even coats and let it level. Don't go back over areas that have started to set.
- Recoat after 16 hours. Lightly sand cabinets between coats.
- Be patient. Wait 5–7 days before loading shelves. It reaches full hardness in up to 30 days.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
How much Advance do I need?
Each 3.79 L covers 400–500 sq ft per coat, and a 946 mL about 100 sq ft. Most trim, door and cabinet jobs need two coats. Use the paint calculator above for walls, or tell us your project and we'll work it out.
Which finish should I choose?
Semi-Gloss for most trim, doors and cabinets. Pearl for a softer, lower sheen on cabinets and walls. High-Gloss for a mirror-like front door, furniture or statement trim.
How long does Advance take to dry?
It's dry to the touch in 4–6 hours and ready to recoat in 16 hours at 25 °C and 50% humidity. Cool or humid rooms take longer. Wait 5–7 days before putting things back on shelves, and allow up to 30 days for full hardness.
Is Advance good for kitchen cabinets?
Yes. It's made for cabinets: it flows out smooth like an oil and dries to a hard, washable finish. Clean and sand to 220 grit or coarser, prime MDF, thermofoil or laminate with Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer, and lightly sand between coats.
Can I spray Advance?
Yes. Use an airless sprayer at 1,500–2,500 psi with a 0.011–0.015 tip, or HVLP at 20 psi with a 1.8 tip. Thinning isn't normally needed. Rinse spray equipment with mineral spirits after the water clean-up to prevent rust.
Does Advance yellow?
It's made for minimal yellowing. Benjamin Moore notes slight yellowing can still happen, faster in dark or poorly ventilated areas and more noticeable in light colours.
Can I put Advance over oil-based paint?
Yes, once the old finish is clean and sanded dull. Benjamin Moore says to sand glossy alkyd surfaces before applying Advance.
Can I use Advance outside?
Only the High-Gloss finish is rated for exterior use, on properly primed metal, masonry and stable trim like cedar and redwood. It isn't recommended outside on pine.
What colours can Advance be tinted to?
Almost any Benjamin Moore colour. Search by name or number in the colour box above Add to cart. It also comes ready-mixed in White (01) and Black (80). Color Stories (CSP) colours aren't available in Advance.
Can I return tinted paint?
Paint tinted to your colour is made to order, so it's final sale. Untinted products follow our return policy.
Do you ship, or can I pick up?
We ship across Canada, free on most orders over $249. Pick-up is free at our Rockwood Village store, 1292 Eglinton Ave. E, Mississauga, and most orders are ready within 4 hours.
Ready for a smooth finish?
Not sure about the colour? Try a colour sample, get a Palette Pyramid from our designer, or ask our team.