If you paid for Traffic, then the contractor owes you the difference in product cost. Yes, a coat of Traffic can be applied over Mega. However, Mega or any other existing coat needs to be be properly prepared to be successful. Just so you know...there is Traffic and then Traffic HD...and yes Traffic HD costs more than Traffic. I just returned from a job I did with Traffic that is eight years in service in an active house; floors, steps and trim. Except for the usual damage from denting, the floors look fabulous. Some will tell you that Traffic is overkill...well that overkill looks awfully good after eight years. Most of the contractor complaints regarding Bona products resides in the higher product costs and recent Bona marketing practices in the U.S.

I think you are on the right track. The nice thing about starting with the glossy stuff is you will see the SHINIEST OF THE SHINY. You can then tone it down from there. The satin will look quite glossy in the first few weeks. But that will calm down. It's just something about the 'fresh' finish that keeps everything very 'fresh and shiny' for a little bit longer than you would expect. Relax and let the process happen. The Bona will take 5-7 days to cure...so take your time and view it (before moving back in) over several days. Take photos from the same spot (like a doorway) every time you visit. Visit at different times during the day to see it's sheen under different lighting situations. If, after 5 days or so you are GROSSLY unhappy, then now would be the time to discuss a coat of matte....before you move in. And by grossly unhappy I mean, "Hyperventilating, dizzy, nauseated at the very thought of what you've just done to your home".

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.

Sorry, just saw this. I feel two coats of finish is sufficient when applied over sealer at the prescribed rate. This is especially true for Traffic which goes on heavier (350-400 sq. ft/gallon for Traffic, 500-600 for Mega). More coats of finish make the floor smoother, filling in the grain, and making wear and scratches more evident. If you're in a situation where you need more longevity, you can have more coats applied and live with the consequences. In most residential situations my customers want their floor recoated when it looks bad due to wear and scratches, not when the finish wears through. The surface accumulates the same amount of wear and scratches whether it has 2 coats or 20 coats, at which point it will look a bit shabby and require a recoat.