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Cabinets: Advance vs Emerald Urethane

32K views 27 replies 13 participants last post by  PPD  
#1 · (Edited)
Hey Gang,

I have been doing more fine finish painting lately and have been wondering what some of you folks out there think about BM Advance vs SW Emerald Trim and Cabinet Urethanized. Before I get into this, I want to start by saying that I LOVE BM. Everything they have beats the SW's equivalent in it's class but I am still not sure about this match up. I have used both of them several times each and I have to say I love the way Advance looks but, at least when I use it it runs like mad. In the ten or so times I have used Advance on cabinets, I have yet to spray it without ending up with several sags or drips. I've used all different tips going as light as humanly possible: 311, 310, 212, 211, it doesn't seem to matter. It ALWAYS runs. Not that it runs a lot, but I always end up with a handful of runs. Maybe someone has some ideas I haven't thought of? Maybe I am missing something? Maybe I just suck?

Emerald on the other hand doesn't look as nice as Advance but it's tough and it hangs like Michael Jordan. Not to mention, the Emerald Urethane Trim and Cabinet seems to cure fairly well in two or three days, Advance is still at least a little bit sticky after 3 days, 4 days, 5 days. Wondering if anyone else has anything to say about this topic. I would love to remain an Advance user but after my latest cabinet job where on 20 pieces I had to go fix about 10 runs, so at the moment, I am having a hard time wanting to use it again. Just my two cents. What are yours?

*Edit* I always spray vertically on a hanger because to not do so means a cabinet job takes literally twice as long. So another option I suppose is I charge twice as much (not really an option currently with the markets I am in) or figure out products that work vertically.
 
#3 ·
I’ve had good results spraying Advance with 308 tip. Increasing the ambient temp and get airflow going as soon as you can also helps prevent sagging.

For me Advance isn’t worth the hassle. The long cure times made it challenging to use on cabinet or remodel projects. I also think it’s too brittle, which causes it easy to chip and crack too easily.

If you want to go SW take a look at Kem Aqua Plus or HydroPlus.




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#5 ·
Try using these racks when painting Advance. You can get both sides painted one coat in one day. as far as all of your runs and sags I would suggest you continue to practice with this product. Rarely do we ever get a run or sag anymore only because we have studied and learned this product. Knowing how quickly to spray so you get that fine combination of coverage without overbuild as well as knowing how far away from the surface to be before you start spraying.
 

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#23 ·
Why aren't you guys using cabinet specific paint? I will put up SW Hydroplus against anything BM has, the only downfall is the dry time. The KEM Aqua is better than anything BM has for cabinets and has a dry time of about 15 min. Oh the reason I like spraying flat is the above mentioned paints are self leveling so if you spray a little heavy you don't get any sags or runs.