So Much More Than Green

If you think you have to go green to save the environment, think again. You can go rich ruby red, morning sunshine yellow, or big country blue. In fact, with new low- and no- VOC paints by Benjamin Moore, you can choose from 3,300 custom colors and still be green, says Chris Handling of Professional Paint Center in Walnut Creek.

“For more than 50 years, all paint has been tinted with the same glycol-based colorants,” says Chris. Unfortunately, traditional paints also contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which they release into the air, giving your home that headache-inducing “new paint” odor. VOCs contribute to ozone depletion and smog.

Now, Benjamin Moore has changed all that with a proprietary waterborne colorant system that it uses to make some of the finest low- and no-VOC paints on the market. And, as an exclusive Benjamin Moore retailer, Professional Paint Center is playing a leading role in helping Bay Area homeowners choose the right environmentally safe paint—and even the right color.

That’s nothing new. Homeowners and professional painters alike have been turning to Professional Paint Center for quality paint, spray equipment sales and service, and expert advice for over 30 years. Founded by Jack Handling—Chris’ father—in 1976, Professional Paint Center is a favorite with painting contractors. 

But the store is also renowned for the expertise, product knowledge and advice they offer to average do-it-yourself homeowners. The store has color consultants and design specialists on staff to help with color matching, painting techniques and more.

From the beginning, Professional Paint Center has exclusively sold Benjamin Moore paints, confident in both the quality of the product and the reputation of the company. “Benjamin Moore has been a leader in color for a long time, but they’ve also become a leader in innovative products,” said Chris. “Now they are at the forefront in low-VOC products.”

Most exciting, says Chris, is the Aura line of paints, which combines Benjamin Moore’s waterborne colorant with a unique colorlock technology that chemically bonds the paint and color molecules together. The result is a rich fade-resistant color that won’t wash or rub out, and offers unparalleled coverage, even over dark hues that other paints need several coats to cover.

“No matter what color you have on your wall or want on your wall, Aura never needs more than two coats. And it dries in one hour, so you can get the job done faster,” says Chris. In fact, he says, “Aura is the best performing paint anyone makes. Not the best low-VOC paint. The best paint, period.”

Benjamin Moore also has two zero-VOC products that feature the waterborne colorant system, but not the colorlock technology. Natura is a premium grade paint that goes on smoothly, cleans up easily, dries to the touch in 30 minutes and can be recoated in only an hour. Best of all, it has no VOCs in either the base or the colorant, and has been specially refined to remove other trace compounds, making it virtually odorless. EcoSpec is a new contractor grade paint with no VOCs and minimal odor. According to Chris, EcoSpec is the ideal choice for someone seeking a green product for a price-sensitive project.

To find out more about Benjamin Moore’s low- and no-VOC paints, or to consult with a color and design specialist, visit Professional Paint Center at 2724 North Main Street in Walnut Creek, or call them at (925) 933-3315.