Ultra Spec 500 from Benjamin Moore is a quality interior paint engineered for professional painting contractors, facility managers, and property managers. This MPI-approved product offers superior coverage in minimal coats, and is available at a competitive price point. Find all you need to know about Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec 500 in this review.
Best Uses for Ultra Spec 500 Interior Paint
Ultra Spec 500 is an interior acrylic paint intended primarily for institutional and commercial environments. We find that it’s a great multipurpose paint for residential settings as well — especially new construction homes or property maintenance projects. Some of the most common applications for Ultra Spec 500 include:
- Healthcare facilities
- Office spaces
- Catering facilities
- Schools
- New construction homes
- Rental property maintenance
Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec 500 Finishes
Ultra Spec 500 is a versatile product to be used throughout a commercial building or residential space. It comes in five sheens — ranging from a flat finish that makes a quality, high-hiding ceiling paint, to a scrubbable, semi-gloss finish for doors and trim.
Each finish is washable and can be ordered in any of Benjamin Moore’s 3,500+ colors. It’s tinted using Benjamin Moore’s proprietary Gennex® zero-VOC colorant system, so it passes the most stringent environmental standards regardless of the color.
| Finish | Recommended Because | Spec Sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Flat | Excellent coverage for ceilings and interior walls that don’t get much wear and tear | Ultra Spec 500® Interior Flat Finish Data Sheet (TDS) |
| Low Sheen-Eggshell | Gives interior walls a more durable coat than a truly flat finish | Ultra Spec 500® Interior Low Sheen Eggshell Finish Data Sheet (TDS) |
| Eggshell | Covers interior walls with a scrubbable finish that has minimal shine | Ultra Spec 500® Interior Eggshell Finish Data Sheet (TDS) |
| Satin/Pearl | Creates a durable finish for doors, trim, and walls that easily washes clean | Ultra Spec® 500 Interior Satin/Pearl Finish Data Sheet (TDS) |
| Semi-Gloss | Covers doors, trim, and cabinets with a hard, scrubbable coating for maximum durability | Ultra Spec 500® Interior Semi-Gloss Finish Data Sheet (TDS) |
Features of Ultra Spec 500 Paint
Ultra Spec 500 is a popular paint among contractors for a reason! Here are the need-to-know details about this product:
Competitive Advantage
Ultra Spec 500 is designed to outperform other products at a competitive price point. If you are looking for a high-quality commercial or property management coating with value pricing, contact our Painting Contractor Services Team. With Ring's End's expert support and Ultra Spec 500's value, you get an advantage over the competition. As New England's largest Benjamin Moore retailer, we can supply paint for the largest or most complicated projects.
Coverage & Hiding
Ultra Spec’s high hiding characteristics and value price make it a perfect choice for maintenance areas that need to be routinely touched up or recoated.
Ultra Spec 500 covers in just 1-2 coats in most colors. Darker or more vibrant colors may require additional coats. This high-hiding paint product has approximately 39-41% volume solids depending on the sheen, and when applied at the recommended film thickness the coverage per gallon is 350 – 400 sq. ft.
Dry Time
Ultra Spec 500 dries quickly, returning workspaces to service with minimal disruption. Dry time is 1-2 hours to touch and 2-4 hours to recoat depending on the finish:
| Finish | Dry Time (to touch) | Dry Time (to recoat) |
|---|---|---|
| Flat | 1 hour | 2-3 hours |
| Low-Sheen-Eggshell | 2 hour | 2-3 hours |
| Eggshell | 2 hour | 2-3 hours |
| Satin/Pearl | 2 hour | 4 hours |
| Semi-Gloss | 2 hour | 4 hours |
Multi-Substrate Use
Ultra Spec 500 is a multipurpose paint to be used with great results on all kinds of surfaces — including ceilings, walls, doors, and trim. It performs well on primed or previously painted…
- Drywall
- Plaster
- Wood
- Metal
- Wallpapered surfaces
Durability & Washability
Made from proprietary cross-linking acrylic resins, Ultra Spec 500 is appreciated for its long-lasting durability. This feature also means that Ultra Spec 500 is washable in any of its five finishes, and the glossier finishes are scrubbable (eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss).
Surface Preparation & Application
Ultra Spec 500 is not a paint-and-primer. You must prime any patched area or new drywall to avoid flashing. This product also dries quickly (1-2 hours to touch), requiring careful application for even results. If using a sprayer, apply the paint with an airless sprayer at 1500-2500 psi (tip = 0.013-0.017).
The Ultra Spec 500 product line includes a primer to be used on new or previously painted drywall, cured masonry, cured plaster, and non-bleeding woods. Ultra Spec 500 primer can also be applied to primed or previously painted metal and under wallcoverings for easy positioning and removal. Check out our paint primer guide for additional primer recommendations.
Eligibility for LEED® v4 Credit
Ultra Spec 500 paint meets the qualifications for a LEED v4 Low Emitting Materials credit. Paints earn LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials credit for being emission certified in addition to meeting CARB SCM 2007 VOC limits. This zero-VOC formula helps contractors comply with building standards and returns interior spaces to use without the strong fumes and other side effects of high-VOC levels.
Antimicrobial Additives
Antimicrobial additives in Ultra Spec 500 protect the surface of the paint film from bacteria, as well as mold and mildew growth. This is particularly helpful for painting spaces in the healthcare or food preparation industries.
Why We Recommend Ultra Spec 500
Our paint experts have found that Ultra Spec 500 delivers on its promise — to meet the needs of painting contractors, facility managers, and property managers.
Contractors love this product because it’s easy to work with and comes at a competitive price. Because it’s not a paint and primer in one, it lays out better and is easier on paint tools like brushes and rollers. Ultimately, you are getting everything that comes with a Benjamin Moore paint — durable, fast and easy to apply, high-performing — at a value price!
Order Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec 500 at Ring’s End
Find Ultra Spec 500 paint in-store at Ring’s End, order it online for convenient pickup, or have it delivered anywhere in the U.S! We have the capabilities to produce mass orders, and can accommodate any project size. Ultra Spec 500 tints to any of Benjamin Moore’s 3,500+ colors — with no added VOCs.
Let us know if you have any remaining questions about this product, and our team of Benjamin Moore experts will be happy to assist. Contact the Ring’s End paint team.
Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec 500
Formula: Acrylic copolymer
Finishes: Flat, Low-Sheen-Eggshell, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss
Available Colors: 3,500+