My go-to trim paint right now is Benjamin Moore Aura. I don't think I have applied alkyd paint to trim for at least 10 years.

Sorry, I should have said interior trim.

There's more than one white? Oh, my. ;-)

Normally I eschew government mandates but I think we need a law that says that every paint manufacturer must offer a "standard" white paint. That way I can be assured the my new can of white matches my last can of white.

Aura? Never used it before, anything I should know?

While we're on the subject, I'm thinking about a new paint brush. My usual "go to" brush is an 1 1/2" angled sash whose manufacturer escapes me at the moment but it's two words, first starts with a L. It's held up well but maybe it's time for retirement.

I don't like Purdy's Dale "rattail" handle. Glide would be better but I'm not seeing a lot in a 1 1/2".

This post was edited by mike_kaiser on Fri, Jul 26, 13 at 8:11

I have used the new acrylic/alkyd "Advance" line from Ben Moore and I found it to perform as claimed, with the hardness and smoothness of oil in a water-clean-up formulation.
Not a direct comparison,but I found Aura more difficult to apply because it starts to dry so fast.
Casey

Just finished this with Benjamin Moore Aura satin finish, it does have a lovely sheen to it. I used a Wooster polyester-nylon brush that was suggested here. I used a 2 inch angle brush. No brush marks that I can detect:)

Very nice job bullydosmom. I'm impressed you did it all by brush. I wonder if the Wooster velour small roller would allow the same fine look.

mike, yes, lots of white trim colors by all paint manufacturers. Try to research a few in one brand-talk with the store decorator-as you need to decide if you want white/white, or a white with a slight gray undertone or yellow/creamier undertone. A LOT depends on lighting in your house as to how the final product will appear.

I'm attaching a past GW discussion on whites and trim. GL.

Here is a link that might be useful: white trim:

I see there are lots of fans of Benjamin Moore on this forum. A great paint years ago when other paints were not so good, but many paints have improved their quality recently for the do-it-yourselfers. I don't see any reason to use an oil based alkyd paint in a home.

Don't know if you live in a home or a mansion, but I've used Lowes interior enamel paint, in Semi Gloss, for interior trim. It can be purchased off the shelf in, I believe, both White and Super White without being mixed special, and I have had great results. Easy to apply, forgiving if you are not a professional painter, & it stands up to being cleaned.

As an interior designer I have heard complaints from professional painters asked to use Aura, just like they complained years ago when BM came out with 'Cashmere' paint. Good luck.

What ever you use for alkyd or oil base similar to the same get some boiled linseed oil cut it 50% with gum turpentine only then cut your paint with 25% of this solution not only will you have a nice flow and smooth surface but then your paint job will last a minimum of 20 years plus no mold or mildew cause of the gum turpentine and boiled linseed oil only not raw go for it I have done this for over 30 years with gloss,semi gloss,satin,&regular paints with no failure afetr 25 plus easr of application to prove my results based on the input of my elders that are 80 to 90 years old and I am 57

sorry I thought you were talking about exterior work