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Paint Remodeling Design Dilemma

Use Aura or tinted ceiling paint?

last year

We're having our first floor painted. Simply White for all ceilings (various colors for walls). The painter told me he doesn't like to use tinted ceiling paint. If we want a tint, he likes to use the same paint as the walls. Fine--except instead of using Aura matte as we had agreed on, he used Ultra Spec.

He's only painted one room. I have a chance to salvage this and insist on Aura for the rest of the walls. Should I be ok with Aura matte on the ceiling, or should I insist on tinted Benjamin Moore ceiling paint?

Featured Answer

Lori Sawaya

last year

last modified: last year

I have no idea why the painter wanted to use Ultra Spec on the ceiling.

Assuming it's Ultra Spec flat.

Aura matte has a degree of sheen. Sheen on a ceiling is a PITA because you will see lap marks.

Because it's a plane above your head, the light hits it differently and It takes more prep and coats to get sheen on a ceiling to look right. With Simply White you're looking at 3 coats of Aura matte or two over a good quality primer.

Ultra Spec flat is more than fine for a ceiling. If the ceiling is currently white, he should be able to do 2 coats of Simply White in Ultra Spec flat.

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Comments (8)

kandrewspa
last year
This doesn't make sense to me. I don't understand why he won't put Simply White on the ceiling.
Mary Elizabeth
last year
I would go over the contract for the exact wording. Hi-lite anything in question. What did he "tell you" vs. what is in the contract?

His cost for Ultra Spec vs. Aura (in my estimation) would be about one third to one half. For example, retail for Aura is about $105, and Ultra Spec is about $55 right now, so for a paint contractor with an account at a Benjmain Moore dealer, about half that.

Did he "upcharge" you for the paint?

Personally, I don't care for the Ultra Spec. Even the eggshell finish feels flat to me.

For ceilings, I really like BM's Muresco. It comes in two whites "01" and "04", but there's no reason it can't be tinted to Simply White. If not, there is also BM Waterborne Ceiling paint. Both of these are flat paints. Any imperfections on the ceiling are easier to see, so the flatter the finish the better. Unless you have paid for a Level 5 drywall finish on your ceiling!

As far as Aura on the walls, it is a very nice paint, especially in deep, dark colors.

I prefer the Scuff X Matte to Aura, just for durability. (Aura Matte sheen is 3-5 @85°. Scuff X Matte is (8 – 13 @ 85°) (9.5 @ 60°).

(Note: Scuff X is in the Ultra Spec line, but there is also a lower end of wall paint simply labeled Ultra Spec.)
mcarroll16 thanked Mary Elizabeth
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mcarroll16
Original Author
last year
Thanks. It's confusion with the sub. The contract says I supply the paint. The sub insisted he get it himself, so he's actually OUT money by buying this cheaper paint. He is willing to do Simply White on the ceiling--just wants to use wall paint, not ceiling paint.

Our contractor has agreed to make sure it's Aura for the rest of the project. I'm just trying to figure out whether I need to insist on a particular grade of ceiling paint, or only worry about the wall paint.
Mary Elizabeth
last year
last modified: last year
I do think Aura on the ceiling is overkill - price wise - unless for some reason, you're using the matte finish on the ceiling.

The only reason I can think of to put wall paint on the ceiling is so the painter saves the time and effort of "cutting in" for your ceiling line. If that's the reason, it would have to be the exact same paint, as the sheens are not equal across the different BM brands.
mcarroll16
Original Author
last year
Thanks. I would definitely prefer a flat finish on the ceiling. I have no idea why the painter wanted to use Ultra Spec on the ceiling. Walls were a different color so he had to cut in anyway. Maybe because one room will have Simply White for walls, so he can simplify by using only wall paint for all the Simply White portions.
mcarroll16
Original Author
last year
Thanks Lori! I'll let him keep using the Ultra Spec on the ceiling then, and not worry about getting BM ceiling paint.
Lori Sawaya
last year
I'd personally prefer Ultra Spec flat over a ceiling grade paint.

But I also think "ceiling white" out of the can should be banned. 😀

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