Bona Traffic HD with three coats - Issues with Contractor
LP
6 years ago
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Bona Traffic HD Sheen Issue
Comments (1)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....See MoreBona Mega vs Traffic, 2 coats vs 3 coats
Comments (12)I've been using Mega HD Clear on most of my white/light jobs and on other jobs where I was using regular Mega with the Mega Booster. It's working well. I like the slightly higher sheen in the satin (25 to 35) compared to Traffic (15 to 20) and the lower cost. Mega spread rate is 500' to 600' per gallon where Traffic is 350' to 400' per gallon. I personally like the lower film build that maintains more of the grain texture on the surface where Traffic looks too smooth and plastic. The Traffic must wear better and it's nice to tailor the sheen level to customer desires (semi gloss, satin, extra matte and naturale) but I think it's overkill for most homes. Before Bona introduced Mega HD Clear and re-formulated Traffic, their only clear non-yellowing urethane was Novia which is pretty cheap stuff. Neither finish should require an extra coat when new unless you think you're going to neglect the floor and are worried it will wear out. Most homeowners (at least the ones we work for) will recoat the floor after it gets scuffed, scratched and somewhat worn, but well before it wears through. The floor will receive the same amount of wear and need a recoat when it looks unacceptable, whether you're applied 2 coats or 20 coats initially....See MoreUsed Bona Nordicseal and Bona Traffic HD.. Need advice please!
Comments (69)Here are some evening photos of my white oak select grade hardwood, site installed, with one coat of Bona Natural seal and two coats of Bona Traffic HD Matte. It’s a lot lighter IRL than in the photos. I agonized over what sealer to use (bought different stains, Loba 2k, all sorts of products). This combination seemed to look the closest to the natural wood (which I LOVED). The sealer did make it a tiny bit darker but it’s ok. I also included a photo of my stairs. They are red oak. It was a fortune to replace the stairs so we kept the red oak and used one coat of wheathered oak stain and two coats of Bona HD traffic extra matte (same as on the floors). Two lessons learned: Use a third coat of Bona HD traffic in high-traffic areas (our first floor gets a ton of wear with a dog and three teenagers, a third coat would have added an extra layer of protection against scratches). If you are a sheen person and like gleaming wood floors, do not use matte, use a satin finish. I had satin in my other house and I do miss the shine of a freshly washed wood floor. Although a matte does do a great job of hiding scratches. We installed white oak throughout the house (with the exception of the stairs) and even in the kitchen. I love wood floors in the kitchen - easier on the feet, knees, and not cold like a tile floor....See MoreBona Traffic HD too thin? Did my contractor use enough?
Comments (9)Bad buffing between coats (I'm assuming it didn't happen at all). The wood could certainly use another coat of Traffic HD. For $5.19/sf this is about all that is to be expected. A traditional (with oil based poly) sand/refinish job usually works out to be $5/sf. If you add in the HIGH END finishes, most refinishers will ask for another $1-$2/sf...depending on where you live. In expensive areas (like NYC, LA, Seattle, Vancouver Canada, anywhere in Canada) the $5/sf is a low estimate. In depressed areas of the USA (spitting distance to the Mexican border) the cost is much closer to $4/sf (without the upgrade). Your original quote was $4.70/sf. Which is low. What I'm seeing is what I would expect from a low(er) bid. A third coat with a BUFFING before the last coat = very nice floor. You are one coat (and a good buffing) away from a very nice floor....See More
jellytoast
6 years ago
geoffrey_b
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoLP
6 years ago
weedyacres
6 years ago
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