Benjamin Moore Advance vs. Sherwin Williams Emerald: Best Cabinet Paint
- Nest Alpha
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
You bought the Best Paint Sprayer. You sanded the doors with your Orbital Sander. You are ready to transform your kitchen.
But now you are standing in the paint aisle, paralyzed.
Do you buy the $40 can of latex wall paint? Absolutely not. Standard paint remains soft and rubbery. On a cabinet door, it will peel, stick, and chip within months.
You need "Cabinet Grade" paint. This is a specialized Hybrid Enamel that cures hard like a rock.
The two undisputed heavyweights in this arena are Benjamin Moore Advance and Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel. Both promise a factory finish. Both are expensive ($80-$100/gallon). But they behave very differently. Choosing the wrong one for your skill level can lead to runs, drips, and a ruined project. 0
We compared them head-to-head to help you pick the right paint for your kitchen facelift.
The Titans: Advance vs. Emerald Urethane
Feature | Benjamin Moore Advance | Sherwin Williams Emerald |
Type | Waterborne Alkyd (Oil Hybrid) | Urethane Modified Alkyd |
Finish Quality | Superior (Looks like glass) | Excellent (Very hard) |
Dry Time (Recoat) | 16 Hours (Very Slow) | 4 Hours (Fast) |
Yellowing | Slight chance (White colors) | No (True White) |
Difficulty | High (Prone to runs) | Medium (Forgiving) |
Price | ~$84 | ~$99 |
Benjamin Moore Advance Review: The Oil-Like Finish
Advance is famous for one thing: Leveling.When you brush or spray it on, it looks streaky for about 5 minutes. Then, like magic, it flows out and flattens into a glass-smooth surface that looks like it was dipped in plastic.
The Pro: It mimics the look of old-school oil paint but cleans up with water. It is the gold standard for "Aesthetics."
The Con: It is runny. If you spray it too thick on a vertical surface, it will drip.
The Warning: The recoat time is 16 hours. This means painting a kitchen takes days, not hours.
Sherwin Williams Emerald Review: The Durability King
Emerald Urethane is the contractor's favorite because time is money.
The Pro: It cures incredibly hard. Once fully cured (30 days), it resists scratches and scrubbing better than almost anything else.
The Speed: You can recoat in 4 hours. You can spray the fronts in the morning and the backs in the afternoon.
The Con: It doesn't level quite as glass-smooth as Advance (though 99% of people won't notice the difference).
The Drying Time Factor (Huge Difference)
This is usually the deciding factor for DIYers.
Choose Emerald if you have a small workspace and need to flip the doors quickly to paint the other side.
Choose Advance if you have a large garage where you can lay out all the doors flat and let them sit undisturbed for 24 hours.
While you wait for the paint to dry, upgrade your Cabinet Hardwareto complete the look.
Which One Sprays Better?
Both paints spray beautifully, but they usually require thinning depending on your sprayer.
Airless Sprayer (Graco): Usually sprays both straight out of the can (no thinning).
HVLP Sprayer (Wagner): Both paints are thick. You may need to thin them with 5-10% water or a conditioner like Floetrol to get a fine mist without splatter.
Affiliate Note: Always strain your paint before putting it in the gun! Use these Fine Mesh Cone Strainers to catch dried clumps that will clog your nozzle.
Final Verdict: Which Can Should You Buy?
For the Perfectionist: Get Benjamin Moore Advance. If you have the patience to wait 16 hours between coats, the finish is unbeatable. It looks like custom cabinetry.
For the Busy DIYer: Get Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane. The fast dry time allows you to finish the project in a weekend rather than a week, and the durability is fantastic for households with kids/pets.
Whichever you choose, remember: Prep is 80% of the job. Clean, sand, and prime, and your kitchen will look brand new.
Disclaimer:Â This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQs
Q: Do I need Primer?
A: Yes. Even though these paints say "Self-Priming," do not trust it on cabinets. Use a bonding primer like Zinsser BIN (Shellac) or Stix. This ensures the paint sticks to the old varnish without peeling.
Q: Can I use a roller?
A: Yes. If you aren't spraying, use a High-Density Foam Roller or a Mohair Roller. Do not use a standard wall nap roller, or you will leave orange-peel texture.
Q: How much paint do I need? A: For a standard medium kitchen (20-30 doors/drawers), you typically need 2 Gallons of topcoat and 1 Gallon of primer.