
Benjamin Moore is a well-known paint manufacturer that offers a range of exterior paints, including AURA Exterior, Regal Select Exterior, and Element Guard. These paints are designed to provide lasting colour and durability, with extensive testing to ensure colour retention under harsh weather conditions. While some sources suggest that certain Benjamin Moore paints can be applied directly to drywall without a primer, the manufacturer recommends using a primer for optimal results, especially on new drywall. The use of a primer can improve adhesion, coverage, and the final finish of the paint. Benjamin Moore offers a variety of primers, including the Multi-Purpose Interior/Exterior Primer, designed to meet different project needs and surface types.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Primer needed | Benjamin Moore exterior paint can be applied without a primer, but using one will improve the finish and coverage. Primer is especially recommended for new drywall. |
| Paint options | AURA Exterior, Regal Select Exterior, and Element Guard are Benjamin Moore's most popular exterior paint options. |
| Durability | Benjamin Moore exterior paints are designed to be durable, with features such as fade resistance, moisture protection, and resistance to mildew, cracking, and peeling. |
| Colour options | Regal Select Exterior is available in 3,500 colours and three sheens. |
| Weather resistance | Benjamin Moore exterior paints are tested for colourfastness and colour retention under harsh weather conditions. Element Guard is recommended for humid, rainy, and cold climates. |
| Surface temperature | AURA Exterior and Regal Select Exterior can be applied at temperatures as low as 35°F. |
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What You'll Learn

Benjamin Moore exterior paint and primer recommendations
Benjamin Moore's exterior paint colours undergo rigorous testing to ensure they withstand harsh weather and sun exposure while retaining their colour. The paint is designed to resist mildew, fading, cracking, and peeling. The company offers a wide range of exterior paint products, and the right one for you will depend on your budget and the surface you are painting.
Benjamin Moore's most popular exterior paints include AURA Exterior, Regal Select Exterior, and Element Guard. AURA Exterior is a premium paint with exceptional fade resistance, moisture protection, and durability. Its thick formula and high pigment content make it ideal for major colour changes and hiding the previous colour.
Regal Select Exterior is a popular choice due to its durability and performance in various weather conditions. It is available in a wide range of colours and sheens and can be applied in cold temperatures. Element Guard is recommended for humid, rainy, and cold climates as it resists rain soon after application.
Benjamin Moore also offers specialty primers for specific surfaces, such as metal, non-porous surfaces, and previously painted substrates with high-gloss coatings. Their Fresh Start premium primers are versatile and suitable for most surfaces.
While some Benjamin Moore paint products are self-priming, the company recommends using a primer for the best results, especially on bare surfaces. Primer needs vary depending on the product, colour change, surface condition, and material. Consult a Benjamin Moore contractor or retailer for specific product recommendations and advice.
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Aura Exterior: primer or no primer?
Benjamin Moore's Aura Exterior paint is a top-of-the-line, ultra-premium exterior house paint. It is known for its exceptional fade resistance, moisture protection, and durability, resulting in a rich, long-lasting finish. The paint is ideal for major colour changes as its thick formula effectively hides the previous colour in fewer coats than its competitors.
Aura Exterior paint is available in a range of sheens, including flat, low-lustre, satin, and semi-gloss. Each finish has unique characteristics, making it suitable for different areas of the house. For example, a flat finish has the least amount of shine and does not reflect light, while a semi-gloss finish is more reflective, durable, and moisture-resistant.
When it comes to primer, Benjamin Moore does offer Aura Exterior paint in a self-priming option. This means that the paint can be applied directly to surfaces without the need for a separate primer coat. The self-priming feature of Aura paint is designed to save time and money by eliminating the need for an additional primer step.
However, it is important to note that some people still prefer to use a primer before applying Aura Exterior paint. This is especially true when painting new drywall, as some sources recommend using a sealing latex primer or a PVA drywall primer first. Using a primer can provide better adhesion and a smoother finish, ensuring that the paint adheres well to the surface and does not soak into or soften the drywall.
Ultimately, the decision to use a primer or not before applying Aura Exterior paint depends on personal preference and the specific project requirements. While the paint is marketed as self-priming and can be used without a primer, some may choose to use a primer for added adhesion or to address specific surface conditions.
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Regal Select Exterior: a primer-in-paint
Benjamin Moore's exterior paint colours undergo rigorous testing to ensure their longevity under various weather conditions. The brand offers a range of exterior paints, each with unique features. One of their most popular exterior paints is the Regal Select Exterior.
Regal Select Exterior is a highly durable paint that resists mildew, fading, cracking, and peeling. It can be applied in cold temperatures as low as 35°F, making it suitable for use in cold weather conditions. With a selection of 3500 colours and three different sheens, this paint offers versatility and customisation to suit any exterior design needs.
One of the key advantages of Regal Select Exterior is its primer-in-paint feature. While primer is typically recommended for most painting projects, especially when dealing with new drywall, the primer-in-paint formula in Regal Select Exterior eliminates the need for a separate primer coat. This not only saves time but also reduces the overall cost of the project, as primer can be relatively expensive.
The primer-in-paint formula in Regal Select Exterior serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it helps to mask the previous colour, preventing it from bleeding through and altering the new paint colour. Secondly, it provides a matte surface for the finish coat to adhere to properly. This is especially important when painting over a porous surface like drywall, where the primer seals the paper, plaster, and gypsum, preventing them from absorbing water and affecting the coverage and finish of the paint.
Overall, Regal Select Exterior's primer-in-paint formula offers convenience, cost savings, and a professional finish. By eliminating the need for a separate primer coat, this paint streamlines the painting process without compromising on quality.
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Benjamin Moore's primer range
Benjamin Moore's range of primers is designed to meet every priming challenge. The Fresh Start Premium range includes acrylic and alkyd primers that deliver exceptional adhesion, holdout, and stain suppression. These primers create a foundation for smooth, premium top coats on interior surfaces and a range of exterior surfaces.
The Fresh Start High-Hiding All-Purpose Primer is a highly effective primer for significant colour changes. It delivers maximum hide and a uniform finish across most interior and exterior surfaces. This primer is also mildew-resistant.
The Fresh Start Premium Interior Primers include a premium alkyd primer, sealer, and undercoater that flows and levels to a smooth finish. It delivers outstanding enamel holdout, suppresses stains, and can be sanded easily or recoated in two hours.
While Benjamin Moore does not specify whether its exterior paints contain primer, the company does recommend using a primer before painting exterior surfaces. The lifespan of exterior paint depends on the surface material and condition, and whether the correct primer was used.
Benjamin Moore's exterior paint colours are extensively tested to ensure colour retention under harsh weather conditions. The company's most popular exterior paints are AURA Exterior, Regal Select Exterior, and Element Guard, which offer durability, moisture protection, and resistance to mildew, fading, cracking, and peeling.
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The importance of priming new drywall
Benjamin Moore exterior paints go through rigorous testing to ensure they are colorfast under harsh weather conditions. The paint is available in a wide range of colours that have been specifically tested for colour retention. The brand also offers a selection of high-quality exterior paints that provide lasting colour and durability.
Now, let's discuss the importance of priming new drywall.
Priming new drywall is crucial as it ensures the paint adheres to the surface and lasts longer. Drywall is a porous material with different textures and absorption rates, and priming creates a uniform surface for the paint to stick to. This is especially important when using dark-coloured paints, as priming will prevent the colour from fading over time. Additionally, primers act as a seal, preventing paint from penetrating the drywall and covering small flaws or blemishes. It is essential to use a primer on new drywall to ensure the paint job is successful and long-lasting.
Priming also saves time and money. While it may seem like an extra step, primers help topcoats dry faster and reduce the number of coats of paint required. By using a primer, you can achieve better coverage and a smoother finish.
The type of primer is important to consider. Most people use latex primers, but there are also acrylic primer-sealers and PVA primers. Latex primers come in water-based and oil-based forms, while high-build primer-sealers are ideal for filling in rough or uneven drywall surfaces. It is recommended to use a 100% acrylic primer-sealer for new drywall.
In conclusion, priming new drywall is essential to ensure the paint adheres properly, lasts longer, and maintains the chosen colour. By using the correct primer, you can achieve a successful and long-lasting paint job on your drywall surfaces.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Benjamin Moore's Aura Exterior paint is marketed as ''self-priming'. However, it is recommended to use a sealing latex primer first, especially on new drywall.
No, Benjamin Moore's Regal Select Exterior paint does not have primer in it. It is recommended to prime the surface before painting.
Primer seals the surface so that it doesn't absorb paint, improving coverage and finish. It also masks over the prior colour so that it doesn't bleed through and change the tint of the new paint.
Benjamin Moore primers can be purchased from Catalina Paints and PaintOutlets.com.










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