Benjamin Moore Advance Yellowing? The Hidden Cause Revealed
You invested in a premium paint, Benjamin Moore Advance, known for its durable, smooth finish. You painstakingly prepped and painted your cabinets, trim, or doors, expecting a brilliant, lasting white. But now, months or even years later, you’re noticing a creeping, unwelcome tinge of yellow, turning your crisp white into a dingy cream.
This frustrating discoloration is a common complaint among even the most careful DIYers and professionals. Understanding why this high-quality paint can yellow is the first step toward preventing it and fixing it for good.
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The Science of Yellowing: Why a “Waterborne Alkyd” is Different
The core reason for the yellowing lies in the very chemistry of Benjamin Moore Advance. It’s a waterborne alkyd, a hybrid paint that combines the benefits of oil-based (alkyd) and water-based (latex) paints. It offers the hard, durable finish and excellent leveling of an oil paint, with the easy cleanup and lower VOCs of a water-based product.
However, it retains one key characteristic of traditional oil paints: the potential to yellow over time. This happens through a process called oxidation. The alkyd resins in the paint react with oxygen in the air as they cure, and this chemical reaction can create colored compounds called chromophores, which give the paint film a yellowish cast.
Sunlight’s Surprising Role: The Double-Edged Sword
You might assume sunlight is the enemy, causing colors to fade. With alkyd paints, the opposite is often true. Natural light, specifically UV light, helps to break down and “bleach” the yellowing chromophores that form in the paint film. This is why yellowing is almost always more noticeable in low-light areas.
Think about the inside of a cabinet, the edge of a door that stays in the jamb, or trim behind furniture. These areas, starved of light, are prime locations for yellowing to accelerate and become highly visible. Conversely, surfaces bathed in daily sunlight are less likely to show significant yellowing.
Environmental Culprits That Accelerate Yellowing
Beyond the paint’s inherent chemistry, several environmental factors can trigger or speed up the yellowing process. Being aware of these culprits is crucial for preventing the issue before it starts.
One of the most significant and often overlooked factors is ammonia. Ammonia is a common ingredient in many household cleaning products and is also released as a gas by some latex wall paints as they dry. If you paint your walls with a standard latex paint in the same room where you’ve recently used Advance on your trim, the ammonia vapors can react with the curing alkyd, causing it to yellow prematurely.
Heat is another major contributor. Trim and cabinets located near stoves, radiators, heating vents, or other heat-generating appliances are much more susceptible to yellowing. The elevated temperature speeds up the oxidation process within the paint.
Application and Curing: The Critical Period You Can’t Rush
How you apply and care for the paint during its long curing period can also impact its long-term color stability. Benjamin Moore Advance is famous for its slow-drying nature, which is what allows it to level out to a beautiful, smooth finish. However, this also means it has an extended cure time—up to 30 days—during which it’s particularly vulnerable.
Applying the paint too thickly can trap solvents and interfere with the curing process, potentially leading to discoloration. It is also crucial to respect the recommended 16-hour recoat time. Rushing this can lead to a host of finish problems, including improper curing that contributes to yellowing.
The Crucial Role of Priming
Without the right foundation, even the best paint can fail. If you’re painting over a previous oil-based paint or staining woods like oak that are rich in tannins, a high-quality stain-blocking primer is non-negotiable. Without it, oils and tannins can bleed through the new paint layers over time, causing yellow or brownish stains that can be mistaken for paint yellowing.
How to Fix Existing Yellowing on Advance Paint
If your beautiful white finish has already started to turn yellow, don’t despair. While the chemical change is irreversible, you can restore the finish by repainting. Simply painting over the yellowed surface is not enough; proper preparation is key to a lasting fix.
- Clean the Surface Thoroughly: Start by washing the surface with a degreasing cleaner to remove any dirt, grime, or oils. This ensures the new paint will adhere properly.
- Lightly Sand the Surface: You don’t need to strip the paint off. Just scuff the surface lightly with 220-grit sandpaper to remove the gloss and give the new paint a better surface to grip.
- Wipe Away Dust: After sanding, use a tack cloth or a damp microfiber cloth to remove all sanding dust.
- Prime if Necessary: If you suspect bleed-through from the underlying surface was the cause, or if you are switching to a completely different type of paint, apply a coat of high-quality stain-blocking primer.
- Recoat with a Non-Yellowing Paint: To guarantee the problem doesn’t return, your best bet is to repaint with a high-quality 100% acrylic latex paint, which is not prone to yellowing. Products like Benjamin Moore’s Aura or Regal Select are excellent choices. If you love the durable finish of Advance, consider using it only in areas that receive plenty of natural light.
Prevention: Your Best Strategy Against Yellowing
The most effective way to deal with Benjamin Moore Advance yellowing is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here’s how to set your project up for success.
Choose the Right Paint for the Right Space
Before you commit to Advance for a white or light color, assess the environment. Is it a dark, enclosed space like a pantry, a hallway with no windows, or the inside of a closet? For these areas, a premium water-based acrylic enamel is a safer choice to avoid yellowing. Reserve Advance for trim and cabinets in bright, sunlit rooms where its tendency to yellow will be naturally counteracted.
When considering alternatives, it’s helpful to understand the landscape of cabinet paints. A comparison of products like Behr vs Valspar cabinet paint can provide insights into different formulations and their durability. Similarly, exploring options in other brand matchups, such as an Aristoshield vs Evershield duel, can broaden your knowledge of available paint technologies.
| Benjamin Moore Paint Line | Paint Type | Yellowing Potential | Best Use Case for Whites |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADVANCE | Waterborne Alkyd | High (in low light) | Trim, doors, and cabinets in rooms with ample natural light. |
| Aura Interior | 100% Acrylic | Very Low | Walls, trim, and cabinets in any room, especially low-light areas. |
| Regal Select | 100% Acrylic | Very Low | Excellent for walls and trim where a durable, non-yellowing finish is required. |
| INSL-X Cabinet Coat | Urethane Acrylic | Very Low | Specifically formulated for cabinets, offering a hard, factory-like finish that resists yellowing. |
Master Your Painting Environment and Technique
Control your environment to minimize risks. If you are painting walls and trim in the same room, paint the walls first with your latex paint. Allow them to dry and cure for several days with good ventilation to let any ammonia gases dissipate before you start painting with Advance. This simple scheduling change can make a huge difference.
Always ensure adequate ventilation during and after painting, and allow as much natural light into the room as possible while Advance is curing. This is not just a general painting tip; it is a specific strategy to combat the chemical reactions that cause yellowing.
Remember that yellowing can happen to other materials as well. If you’ve noticed discoloration elsewhere in your home, it might be due to similar chemical processes, such as the reasons behind caulk yellowing in kitchens and bathrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my white Benjamin Moore Advance paint turning yellow?
Benjamin Moore Advance is a waterborne alkyd paint, and the alkyd resins in the formula can cause it to yellow over time. This is a natural characteristic of alkyd-based paints and is more noticeable in lighter colors, especially in areas with limited exposure to natural light.
Can I prevent Benjamin Moore Advance from yellowing?
While some yellowing is inherent to alkyd paints, you can take steps to minimize it. Ensure good ventilation during and after painting to allow fumes to dissipate. It is also recommended to allow as much natural light as possible into the painted area, as lack of light can accelerate the yellowing process.
Is the yellowing of Benjamin Moore Advance paint reversible?
Unfortunately, the yellowing of alkyd-based paints like Benjamin Moore Advance is an irreversible chemical process. Once the paint has yellowed, it cannot be restored to its original color. The only effective solution is to repaint the surface.
Does the yellowing happen quickly?
The speed of yellowing can vary depending on environmental conditions. In areas with little to no light, the yellowing can become noticeable within a few months to a year. However, in well-lit areas, the yellowing may be much slower and less apparent.
How long does it take for Benjamin Moore Advance paint to fully cure?
Benjamin Moore Advance paint has a relatively long curing time. While it may be dry to the touch in 4-6 hours and ready for a recoat in 16 hours, it takes about 30 days for the paint to fully cure and harden. It is important to be gentle with the painted surfaces during this curing period to avoid damage.
Are there alternatives to Benjamin Moore Advance that are less likely to yellow?
Yes, if your primary concern is preventing yellowing, you might consider using a high-quality water-based acrylic paint. Acrylic paints are known for their color retention and are not prone to the same type of yellowing as alkyd-based paints. Some painters have switched to products like Sherwin-Williams Emerald urethane for a durable finish that is less likely to yellow.
Final Thoughts on a Flawless Finish
Benjamin Moore Advance is a fantastic paint that delivers a remarkably durable and smooth finish. Its unique waterborne alkyd formula, however, comes with the inherent risk of yellowing, especially in low-light conditions. By understanding the science behind it, choosing the right locations for its use, and controlling your application environment, you can enjoy the benefits of this premium paint while keeping your whites brilliant for years to come.
