
Benjamin Moore and Kelly Moore are two respected paint brands that are often compared. While both companies include the word Moore in their names, they are completely different manufacturers with no relation. Benjamin Moore is a more established, nationally recognized brand, while Kelly Moore is a regional brand that was founded in 1946 in San Carlos, California, and was known among professional contractors and the trade industry. Kelly Moore paints are no longer available for purchase as the company shut down in 2024 due to financial challenges. However, customers with existing Kelly Moore paint can consult other paint retailers for colour-matching options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand recognition | Benjamin Moore has more brand recognition than Kelly-Moore. |
| Market establishment | Benjamin Moore is more established in the market than Kelly-Moore. |
| Popularity in forums | Kelly-Moore is more popular in paint forums. |
| Popularity with professionals | Benjamin Moore is more popular with home professionals. |
| Asbestos use | Kelly-Moore has faced legal battles due to asbestos use in paint and other products between 1960 and 1978. |
| Eco-friendliness | Kelly-Moore now focuses on creating eco-friendly paints with multiple certified green products. |
| Visibility | Benjamin Moore has higher visibility than Kelly-Moore. |
| Colour options | Kelly-Moore's "Not My Fault" and "Granite Canyon" were top editor's picks for grey paint. |
| Paint quality | Benjamin Moore is considered to be higher quality than Kelly-Moore. |
| Cost | Kelly-Moore is considered a "cheap guy" compared to Benjamin Moore. |
| Volume solids | Higher volume solids in paint result in better long-lasting coverage from fewer coats. |
| Colour matching | MyPerfectColor can match colours from both brands. |
| Shipping times | Interior and exterior house paints from Kelly-Moore typically ship within 1-3 business days, while custom spray paint takes 3-5 business days. |
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What You'll Learn

Kelly-Moore is a regional brand, Benjamin Moore is national
Kelly-Moore and Benjamin Moore are two distinct paint brands with no relation to each other beyond their shared use of the word "Moore" in their names. Kelly-Moore is a regional brand, founded in 1946 in San Carlos, California, whereas Benjamin Moore is a national brand with greater market presence and recognition.
Kelly-Moore was a prominent regional paint brand, particularly among professional contractors and the trade industry in California, Texas, Nevada, and Oklahoma. However, in January 2024, the company faced financial challenges and abruptly shut down all its stores and manufacturing facilities, citing legal liabilities and settlements. As a result, Kelly-Moore products are no longer available for purchase.
On the other hand, Benjamin Moore is a well-established national brand with a stronger market presence and recognition. Their products are widely reviewed and recommended by consumer brands and home professionals. For example, Benjamin Moore's Regal Select was chosen as the Best Interior Paint by The New York Times' Wirecutter from a selection of 55 interior paints.
The difference in brand recognition between Kelly-Moore and Benjamin Moore can be attributed to their geographic reach. Kelly-Moore, as a regional brand, had a more limited presence, while Benjamin Moore's national presence has led to greater brand visibility and awareness among consumers and professionals alike.
Despite the difference in brand recognition, both Kelly-Moore and Benjamin Moore offered quality paint products. Those who have used both brands have reported positive experiences, noting that both provided excellent coverage and durability. However, it is worth noting that some users have expressed a preference for Benjamin Moore due to its established reputation and the availability of a wider range of products.
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$20.43

Benjamin Moore is more established
Benjamin Moore and Kelly-Moore are two distinct paint manufacturers with no relation, despite both names including "Moore". Benjamin Moore is the more established and recognised brand of the two, with greater market visibility. Kelly-Moore, on the other hand, is a regional brand, founded in 1946 in San Carlos, California, that is well-known among trade professionals and contractors.
Benjamin Moore's market dominance is evident in its wider brand recognition and reviews by consumer brands and home professionals. For instance, The New York Times' Wirecutter chose Benjamin Moore Regal Select as the Best Interior Paint from a pool of 55 interior paints. It was also the choice of half of the professional painters interviewed.
Kelly-Moore, despite being a prominent regional brand, does not enjoy the same level of brand visibility. It is more commonly discussed in paint forums than in reviews by consumer brands or professionals. The brand has also faced legal challenges due to the use of asbestos in its products between 1960 and 1978. Today, Kelly-Moore focuses on creating eco-friendly paints, with multiple certified green products.
Both brands offer a range of paint products with different qualities and price points. Benjamin Moore's DuraPoxy, for example, is a super-premium interior and exterior formula that is stain and mildew-resistant, perfect for high-traffic areas. Kelly-Moore's AcryPlex, on the other hand, is a premium interior paint line that offers a luxury finish at a lower cost.
In summary, while both Benjamin Moore and Kelly-Moore offer respected paint products, Benjamin Moore is the more established and recognised brand, with a wider reach and greater market presence. Kelly-Moore, as a regional brand, has a more targeted audience and is working to overcome past legal challenges by focusing on eco-friendly initiatives.
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Kelly-Moore has faced legal battles over asbestos
Kelly-Moore Paints, one of the largest paint companies in the US, has faced a series of legal battles over asbestos-containing products. The company added asbestos to various products, including paint, cement, and texture finishes, until 1978. Asbestos was used as a thickening agent, filler, and fire retardant, with some products containing up to 10% asbestos.
The use of asbestos in Kelly-Moore's products resulted in numerous lawsuits and settlements over the years, with claimants alleging asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. In 2004, Robert Tregget received 14% of a $36.6 million verdict from Kelly-Moore after using their joint compound product. In another case, Alfredo Hernandez, a construction worker, was awarded $55.5 million after being exposed to asbestos through a Kelly-Moore joint compound.
In 2002, Kelly-Moore filed a $4.1 billion lawsuit against Union Carbide, alleging that they were not informed about the dangers of asbestos in their products. Union Carbide denied these claims and argued that Kelly-Moore was aware of the hazards. The case was tried in Texas in 2004, and Union Carbide was found not guilty. Kelly-Moore attempted to retry the case in 2005, but the motion was not granted.
By January 2024, Kelly-Moore had spent $600 million on asbestos settlements and was facing additional future liabilities estimated at $170 million. As a result, the company decided to shut down all stores and manufacturing facilities, leading to the loss of over 1,000 jobs.
The closure came after decades of fighting tens of thousands of workers' asbestos lawsuits. More than 48,000 lawsuits had been filed against Kelly-Moore by individuals seeking compensation for asbestos-related injuries. Despite the company's efforts to improve its financial position, the mounting legal battles and settlements proved insurmountable.
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Benjamin Moore's DuraPoxy is mildew-resistant
Benjamin Moore and Kelly Moore are two distinct paint manufacturers with no relation between them. Kelly Moore paint does not have the same brand recognition as Benjamin Moore, as it is a regional brand.
Benjamin Moore's DuraPoxy is a super-premium paint that is mildew-resistant. It is an interior and exterior formula that is perfect for high-traffic areas as it can withstand repeated washing. DuraPoxy can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including drywall, plaster, masonry, metal, wood, and hardboard. It is available in matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss finishes.
DuraPoxy is ideal for areas that require a durable and washable epoxy-like finish. Its mildew-resistant formula is created with 100% acrylic resin, which also protects surfaces from oils and stains such as coffee, red wine, and pen marks. This low-VOC finish is suitable for any interior space.
The mildew resistance of Benjamin Moore's DuraPoxy paint is an important feature, especially for high-traffic areas or spaces that require frequent cleaning. Mildew, a type of fungus, can grow on painted surfaces due to moisture and lack of ventilation. By choosing a mildew-resistant paint like DuraPoxy, you can prevent the formation of mildew and maintain the aesthetics and integrity of your painted surfaces.
Additionally, when considering paint options, it is essential to understand volume solids, which are the elements left behind after the paint dries. A higher number of volume solids typically results in better long-lasting coverage with fewer coats. Benjamin Moore's DuraPoxy, with its mildew-resistant properties and high-quality finish, exemplifies the brand's commitment to providing durable and reliable paint products.
If you are specifically seeking to match a Kelly Moore paint colour, services like MyPerfectColor can match any Kelly Moore colour in spray paint, touch-up paint, pints, gallons, and more.
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Kelly-Moore paint is cheaper
Kelly-Moore paint doesn't have the same visibility or brand recognition as Benjamin Moore, which is more established in the market. Kelly-Moore has also faced legal battles stemming from using asbestos in its paint and other products between 1960 and 1978. However, today's Kelly-Moore is focused on creating eco-friendly paints with multiple certified green products.
In terms of cost, a user on Reddit noted that whoever is using Kelly-Moore for repaints is the "cheap guy". They also mentioned that while Benjamin Moore is the better paint, it depends on the product line being called out versus the same from Kelly-Moore. Another user on Lumberjocks shared that they bought Kelly-Moore paint for a business and worked for a paint contractor who bought Benjamin Moore paint. They observed that both were excellent products, but each company has its quality levels.
When it comes to colour matching, MyPerfectColor can match any Kelly-Moore colour in spray paint, touch-up paint, pints, gallons, and more. They use over 100 colourants, pigments, and dyes, many crafted specifically for their needs. However, they do not offer the actual branded colour or paint product for sale and have no affiliation with the colour-referenced brands.
Additionally, when comparing the two brands, it's important to consider volume solids, which are the elements left behind after the paint dries. A higher number of volume solids provides better long-lasting coverage with fewer coats, while lower volume solids may require multiple coats.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Kelly Moore and Benjamin Moore are two different paint manufacturers with no relation. Kelly Moore is a regional brand, whereas Benjamin Moore is more established in the market.
Yes, you can. MyPerfectColor can match any Benjamin Moore paint to a Kelly Moore paint. You can also ask your painter to match the colours.
Benjamin Moore paint is more expensive and has better brand recognition. Kelly Moore paint is more affordable and is preferred by painters.










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