Bona Traffic HD with three coats - Issues with Contractor

7 years ago

Please give me your opinion how to handle :

I hired a very well known hardwood flooring company in Chicago to refinish our new home floors. The contractor was going to use: Bona stain and 2 coats of commercial grade polyurethane Masterline.

I told him that I wanted "three coats" "Bona Traffic HD" finishing and are paying almost a 1/3 more from his initial quote for the upgrade. I followed up with a summary e-mail of our conversation which he accepted and also mentioned it several times verbally and by text.

So, I arrived to the home unexpectedly the third day because I had an insurance audit, and realized that the contractor was using Bona InstaSeal (that according to Bona Traffic HD specifications, it is not necessary) and there were not any bottles of Bona Traffic HD anywhere.

When I questioned the contractor, he told me that he won't be adding the third finishing coat because the sealant (Bona InstraDry) replaced it and he always applies it. He admits that is his mistake not to clarify that there will be only two coats of finishing but he expects that I pay him the full amount, because these add up to three coats (one sealant & two finishing). Also, he never gives explanations of the process and I shouldn't question it. Well, I am paying for an upgrade, so I feel that I have the right to ask.

In addition, he keeps mentioned "Bona Traffic" instead "Bona Traffic HD" but he said that is a wording mistake issue.

I told him that it is our written agreement and he need to add the third coat or adjust the charge to reflect the actual finishing coats applied ($650 for the third coat). He refuses, treat me to charge me for "additional wood work equivalent never mentioned before". I said that I was going to pay but haven't had peace of mind feeling totally taking advantage for my inexperience.

We haven't talked in three days (while the floors are drying form the second coat of finishing) and already gave him 1/3 of payment as a advance which he hasn't cashed.

My question is what would you do?

Thank you for your help!

Featured Answer

jellytoast

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

"Also, he never gives explanations of the process and I shouldn't question it."

This is absurd. He should have used exactly what was agreed upon and what was specified in the contract. You have every right to expect him to give you exactly what you asked for and specified.

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Comments (7)

User
7 years ago
You have a contract. That's it. He abides by it or is in default.
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Lots of questions here Ron and I only have time to answer a few. Perhaps the technical folks at Bona would be able to give you more feedback. I was told a long time ago that the flattening agents reside in the hardener. Then I was told awhile back that the agents were added to the jug of resin. The folks at Bona will know where they reside now. Traffic is typically a two-coat process over dried stain or one of their sealers. A third coat of Traffic will have a glossier appearance just due to the fact that each coat results in a less textured surface, as the differences in the hills and valleys of the wood surface get reduced with each coat, which results in a smoother surface (if you can follow that). Your idea of mixing product for the repair until you get a sheen level that will match the field is reasonable, as I had to do that once with a customer's floor. In that case I was aware where the flattening agent resided, so I mixed and mixed and by trial and error figured it out. You do need to know where the flattening agent resides to make it easier for you. Once you think you have it spot on, then you have to coat as carefully as you can to follow board seams, if possible and to "feather" the product, so you don't have hard edges where the repair coat may end that is not a a board edge. I call the "feathering" dry brushing. That is best done with a quality disposable foam brush. They are black in color and you can get them locally I am sure. Don't use the less dense cheaper ones. That's about all I can help you with. Good luck.
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jellytoast
7 years ago
You mention both Bona InstaSeal and Bona InstaDry above. I don't see either on their website.

"In addition, he keeps mentioned "Bona Traffic" instead "Bona Traffic HD" but he said that is a wording mistake issue."

What does "wording mistake" mean? They are two different products.
geoffrey_b
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I laid a maple floor in our home, about 10 years ago. I used one coat Bona Sealer, and one coat of Bona Traffic. It's still looks good. Three coats of Bona is not necessary. If the floor would be scratched that badly - you would need to sand lightly and apply another coat - but that will be years later.

I never heard of Bona InstaSeal - maybe Bona Intense Seal?
PRO
Cinar Interiors, Inc.
7 years ago
What is written in the contract should be used or contract is void. Period.
LP thanked Cinar Interiors, Inc.
LP
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you for the support, you rock! The contractor used one coat of Bona IntenseSeal (I misspelled it) and two coats of Bona Traffic HD (he showed me an empty HD bottle). The contractor said that he forgot to add the HD at the end when he was communicating because these are very similar. In the other hand, the floors looks amazing, you can't even feel the grain of the wood or identify the different types of wood (Maple, pine, oak) easily.
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weedyacres
7 years ago
Bona requires first either a coat of stain or sealer, then the appropriate number of coats of Traffic. The sealer doesn't "take the place" of the finish, it's a necessary first step.

You should get the third coat as agreed in your contract.

Also, post this in the Flooring forum for some expert advice.

Bona Traffic HD with three coats - Issues with Contractor

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