skip to main content

Flooring Design Dilemma

Bona Traffic HD over Minwax Red Mahogany?

4 years ago

I am staining my hardwood steps to match my flooring using Minwax. I'm mixing 1/3 English Chestnut, 1/3 Jacobean, and 1/3 Red Mahogany. I am reading that using Bona over Minwax can be problematic, and specifically over Red Mahogany can lift the color. Any advice?

Featured Answer

PRO

G & S Floor Service

4 years ago

Allow the minwax stain to dry for a minimum of 72 hours and apply Bona Mega for first coat. Then apply two coats of Traffic HD. Very important that the stain is dry. Test with clean rag (rub hard), if, rag wipes clean, then the stain is dry. Any wet stain will act as a barrier, preventing the poly from grabbing onto the wood.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

SJ McCarthy
4 years ago
Did you know that Bona makes their own stains? It is the chemical mix of two unrelated companies that puts your project at risk. Minwax is DIY level stain (used by many professionals so not entirely bad). Bona, even their entry level product Mega, is a professional grade product.

Bona takes a SERIOUS amount of knowledge to get it to work. Some of the Bona products have a working edge of 2 minutes (120 seconds...yes...I said 2 minutes and I meant it). Compare that to Minwax oil based polyurethane working edge of 45 minutes (illegal in 11 states because of HORRIBLE VOC content).

You should contact Bona and ask them what they recommend for the finish you are interested in using.

Do you have a photo of your existing floor? Do you know the species of wood sitting on your steps?
Related Discussions
Bona Traffic HD over Minwax water poly
Q
Comments (6)
No...oil base polyurethane takes at least a month to cure, so you cannot place Bona Traffic HD on top of that before it's cured. Just be careful with your poly finished floor for a month...socks, no outside shoes, don't drag chairs...those kind of things.
...See More
Used Bona Nordicseal and Bona Traffic HD.. Need advice please!
Q
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 More
Minwax stain under Bona Traffic HD
Q
Comments (45)
Y123,,I had to research it, but yes! Crayons make an excellent filler for small gouges or holes in resilient flooring. Select a colour that closely matches the floor. Melt the crayon in the microwave on medium power over a piece of greaseproof paper, until you have a pliant glob of colour. With a plastic or putty knife, fill the hole. https://www.woodshopnews.com/columns-blogs/filling-voids-knots-and-dents For smaller voids like thin cracks and pinhole knots, wax is great way to go. Wax comes in a variety of colors and a few hardnesses. For very small voids no larger than 1/16”, I like to use rub-in blending sticks. In a pinch, crayons will work. Simply rub it in or use a heat gun to melt the wax and drip it into the void. After it hardens in a few seconds, remove the surrounding smear by rubbing the wax flush with a hard block of wood wrapped in a cotton rag and a few drops of mineral spirits. I believe you can mix a little wood stain into wax and make your own color. you don't have to use a crayon (unless you have the exact color crayon!)
...See More
Red Oak Flooring - want to refinish with only Bona Traffic HD
Q
Comments (20)
Hi everyone! We are doing a full home renovation and have red oak floors on one floor of the house and white oak on the other floor. We are trying to get the floors to look as close in color as possible. I’ve seen a few threads and articles about using Bona Nordic Seal, Traffic HD Poly, and some mention using a country white stain (I think duraseal makes country white, and Bona just makes a “white”)- did any of you have the issue of two different woods and if so, did you do the same number of coats/combination of seals and stains on both floors? Or did you stain the red oak to dull the pink while leaving the white oak natural? We are going to sample some of the combos in the house to see before we decide but wanted to see what worked for others. Thank you!
...See More
saranan4
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks for the help! I do know Bona makes stains, but sadly there is not a dealer near me.

Two minutes is definitely quick, but I'm hoping the small working area of each step will help with that. I'm definitely concerned with how to apply and getting the thickness correct.

I called Bona today and they recommended I call Minwax since I can't get my hands on Bona stains. I have already purchased the Bona, and I'm really wanting to use it.

I'm wondering if I let the stain dry 6-7 days if that will help.
saranan4
Original Author
4 years ago
What about switching to Varathane water based stain?
PRO
G & S Floor Service
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I would allow it the 72 hours. If, pigment transfers onto the rag, after testing. Wipe the stain down with mineral spirit. The mineral spirit will remove pigments that did not penetrate. It will not lighten the stain. Then allow it to dry for another 24hours, before coating. Minwax tech support will tell you the same.

You cannot apply a two part water base system directly on top of Minwax. It will not bond.
PRO
Johnson Flooring Co Inc
4 years ago
Do you have DuraSeal stains available? They should be exact matches for Minwax (where Bona is not, in my experience). Before the advent of quick drying stain formulations, we let all stained floors dry for 72 hours before applying waterborne finish and never had any issues.
saranan4
Original Author
4 years ago
No, I just looked up DuraSeal locations and can't get that, either. I wish! I can do oil based Minwax or switch to water based Varathane.
PRO
Johnson Flooring Co Inc
4 years ago
I don't have hard evidence but I suspect the Bona product is superior. It's not the brand that's the issue, it's water based over oil stain. Once the oil is fully dry, applying water based urethane over the top should not be a problem.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
4 years ago
You can also, apply dewaxed shellac by Zinsser. Do not buff prior to applying first coat of Traffic HD. Shellac has an amber.

Related Stories

FLOORS 11 Distinctive Finishes for Original Floorboards

Whether you go for glossy, painted or matte boards, make your wood floor the star

GREAT HOME PROJECTS What to Know Before Refinishing Your Floors

Learn costs and other important details about renewing a hardwood floor — and the one mistake you should avoid

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Hardwood Floors

By Bonnie McCarthy

Gleaming wood floors are a thing of beauty. Find out how to keep them that way

MATERIALS What to Ask Before Choosing a Hardwood Floor

By Mitchell Parker

We give you the details on cost, installation, wood varieties and more to help you pick the right hardwood flooring

MOST POPULAR 6 Kitchen Flooring Materials to Boost Your Cooking Comfort

By Jennifer Ott Design

Give your joints a break while you're standing at the stove, with these resilient and beautiful materials for kitchen floors

WHITE KITCHENS White Cabinets Remain at the Top of Kitchen Wish Lists

By Erin Carlyle

Find out the most popular countertop, flooring, cabinet, backsplash and paint picks among homeowners who are renovating

REMODELING GUIDES What to Know About Engineered Wood Floors

By South Hill Interiors

Engineered wood flooring offers classic looks and durability. It can work with a range of subfloors, including concrete

KITCHEN DESIGN Dream Spaces: 12 Beautiful White Kitchens

By Lisa Higgins

Snowy cabinets and walls speak to a certain elegance, while marble counters whisper of luxury

MOST POPULAR Crowd-Pleasing Paint Colors for Staging Your Home

Ignore the instinct to go with white. These colors can show your house in the best possible light

REMODELING GUIDES When to Use Engineered Wood Floors

See why an engineered wood floor could be your best choice (and no one will know but you)

Sponsored

More Discussions

Coretec Conch Ash, need pictures & review of this flooring

7

Need your help fining the right direction to install my vinyle planks

2

Coretec Hayes Oak Crackling Sounds

2

Polished or matte porcelain tile teen bathroom floor

4

how to prevent water from the bathroom damaging the wood floor outside

2