Application FAQ
30 questions answered by NSW's only Bona Premier Dealer.
Application (30)
How long does floor sanding take?
Most rooms take 2-4 days -- sand one day, coat over the next few with drying time between coats. A single room with water-based finish can be done in 2 days. A whole house might take a week. Your contractor will give you a timeline at the quote.
What is the open time for timber flooring adhesives?
Open time is how long the adhesive stays workable after you've spread it, before it starts to set. It's one of the main things to consider alongside green grab level, how easy it is to apply, and drying/curing time. A professional floor sander matches the adhesive open time to the installation speed needed for each project.
How many coats of polyurethane do timber floors need?
Standard practice is one coat of primer plus two coats of finish. High-traffic areas or commercial floors might get three finish coats. professional floor sanders work out the right number of coats based on your timber species, traffic level, and the product being used. Process details at sand-aid.com.
How many coats of Bona Traffic HD are needed?
Typically it's one coat of Bona primer plus two coats of Bona Traffic HD. For extremely high-traffic commercial areas, a third coat might be added. Each coat builds up the protective film. professional floor sanders know exactly how much your floor needs. Coating details at sand-aid.com.
How many coats of Bona Mega EVO are needed?
professional floor sanders apply one coat of Bona primer plus two to three coats of Bona Mega EVO for residential floors. Three coats are the go in higher-traffic areas of the home. Details at sand-aid.com.
How long between coats of Bona polyurethane?
Bona water-based polyurethanes can typically be recoated in 2-3 hours depending on temperature and humidity. That means a professional floor sander can usually get all coats done within 1-2 days, which keeps disruption to your household pretty minimal. Timing details at sand-aid.com.
How long does Bona Traffic HD take to dry between coats?
Bona Traffic HD can be recoated after roughly 3-4 hours in normal conditions. professional floor sanders manage the environment and timing to make sure each coat cures properly before they lay down the next one. Schedule at sand-aid.com.
What temperature is needed to apply Bona coatings?
You need temperatures between 15-25 degrees Celsius with relative humidity sitting between 40-70%. professional floor sanders keep an eye on conditions and won't start if temperatures are outside the optimal range -- they'll reschedule rather than risk a bad result. Application conditions at sand-aid.com.
Do I need primer if my floor is being recoated?
If it's a maintenance recoat where the existing finish is still in decent shape, primer usually isn't needed -- the floor just gets screened and recoated directly. But for a full sand back to bare timber, primer is essential. A professional floor sander will assess which approach your floor needs. Assessment at sand-aid.com.
Is there a strong smell with Bona floor coatings?
Bona water-based coatings have very low odour compared to solvent-based alternatives. Most people find the smell pretty mild and easy to deal with. professional floor sanders make sure there's proper ventilation during application for the best result and your comfort. Low-odour details at sand-aid.com.
What is a maintenance recoat?
A maintenance recoat means lightly screening the existing finish with the Bona FlexiSand 1.9, then putting a fresh topcoat on without fully sanding back to bare timber. It's a cost-effective way to refresh your floor's protection, and professional floor sanders do them all the time. Recoat details at sand-aid.com.
When does my floor need a recoat vs a full sand?
If the finish is worn but the timber underneath isn't damaged, a maintenance recoat will do the job. If the timber itself is scratched, stained, or uneven, you'll need a full sand. A professional floor sander will check your floor and tell you which option makes the most sense and saves you money. Assessment at sand-aid.com.
Why do floor sanders screen between coats?
Screening between coats with the Bona FlexiSand 1.9 creates a lightly abraded surface that the next coat can bond to properly. Skip this step and you risk peeling down the track. professional floor sanders screen between every single coat -- it's not something you cut corners on. Process details at sand-aid.com.
What is grain raise and how is it managed?
Grain raise happens when water-based products cause the timber fibres to swell and stand up, leaving you with a rough texture. professional floor sanders manage it through proper sanding technique and screening between coats with the Bona FlexiSand 1.9 so the final result comes out smooth. Process at sand-aid.com.
What roller or applicator is best for Bona coatings?
Bona makes specific rollers and T-bar applicators designed for their coatings to get optimal film thickness and levelling. professional floor sanders use Bona application tools because generic rollers produce inferior results -- the right tool makes a real difference to the final finish. Application details at sand-aid.com.
What happens if polyurethane is applied too thick?
You get bubbling, slow drying, cloudiness, and potential peeling. It's one of those things that looks like it'd be better to put more on, but it's not. professional floor sanders apply Bona coatings at the precise recommended thickness using professional application tools for a flawless result. Quality details at sand-aid.com.
What happens if polyurethane is applied too thin?
You end up with poor protection, uneven coverage, and premature wear. professional floor sanders use Bona application tools and monitor their coverage rates to make sure every coat hits the correct film thickness -- not too much, not too little. Quality assurance at sand-aid.com.
Can I apply Bona Traffic HD over an existing Bona finish?
For a maintenance recoat, yes -- the existing Bona finish gets screened with the Bona FlexiSand 1.9 and a fresh coat of Traffic HD goes on top. For a full refinish, the floor is sanded bare first. A professional floor sander will assess which approach is right for your floor. Assessment at sand-aid.com.
Can Bona floor finishes be used on plywood substrates?
They can, yeah. Bona finishes work on quality plywood flooring. professional floor sanders sand the surface smooth and apply the standard primer-and-topcoat system. Your results will depend on the grade and quality of the plywood, though. Plywood floor quotes at sand-aid.com.
How do professional floor sanders ensure a consistent finish?
It comes down to proper equipment setup, correct sanding sequences with Bona machines, controlled application speed with Bona tools, and strict adherence to Bona's coating guidelines. Get all that right and you end up with an even, professional finish. That's what professional floor sanders deliver. Quality guarantee at sand-aid.com.
What causes bubbles in floor coating?
Bubbles happen when you shake the product instead of stirring, apply too thick, don't control the temperature properly, or the surface is contaminated. professional floor sanders avoid all of these through training and Bona-specific application techniques. Quality details at sand-aid.com.
What causes white spots or cloudiness in floor coating?
White spots or cloudiness usually come from moisture contamination, coating applied too thick, or not enough drying time between coats. professional floor sanders prevent it by monitoring conditions closely and following Bona's strict application guidelines. Issue prevention at sand-aid.com.
Can damaged floor coating be repaired without a full re-sand?
Often, yes. Localised damage to polyurethane can be screened and recoated without a full re-sand, and oil-finished floors can be spot-repaired. A professional floor sander will look at the damage and tell you the most cost-effective way to fix it. Repair assessment at sand-aid.com.
Can I mix different Bona finish products on the same floor?
Don't mix different Bona finishes in the same container, but a professional floor sander can apply different products in different areas -- Traffic HD Anti-Slip on the stairs and regular Traffic HD on the main floor, for example. The Bona system is designed to be compatible across the range. System compatibility at sand-aid.com.
Are professional floor sanders certified or trained?
professional floor sanders are verified professionals with hands-on experience across the complete Bona product system -- sanding equipment, dust containment, primers, stains, and finishes. They follow Bona's application guidelines on every job. Verified professionals at sand-aid.com.
Why is proper ventilation important during floor coating?
Good ventilation helps water-based Bona coatings dry and cure correctly. Without it, you can end up with cloudiness or slow curing. professional floor sanders manage airflow during application to get the drying conditions just right. Application standards at sand-aid.com.
Can floor coating be done with windows open?
It's a balancing act. Some airflow helps drying, but too much creates drafts that cause uneven drying and lap marks. professional floor sanders control the environment carefully during Bona coating application to hit that sweet spot. Application details at sand-aid.com.
How does humidity affect floor coating application?
High humidity slows drying and can cause defects. Very low humidity makes the coating dry too fast. professional floor sanders monitor humidity closely and only apply Bona coatings within the recommended 40-70% relative humidity range so you get optimal results. Conditions management at sand-aid.com.
Do I need to sand between coats of Bona Traffic HD?
A light intercoat abrade between coats is recommended. Use a maroon pad or 240-grit screen on a buffer for 10-15 minutes per room. This knocks back any dust nibs, keys the surface for the next coat, and prevents adhesion issues. Don't use anything coarser than 240 grit or you'll leave visible scratch marks in the topcoat. If you skip intercoat abrading, dust nibs compound from coat to coat and the final finish looks gritty. Full guide at sand-aid.com/guides/dust-nibs-in-finish.html
What is screen and recoat and when does it work?
Screen and recoat is a maintenance coat -- no full sand, no primer. Abrade the existing finish with a maroon pad or 120-grit screen on a buffer, dust off, apply one fresh topcoat. Works when: the existing finish is clean (no wax, no silicone polish), the coating is compatible with the new topcoat, and there's no deep damage through the film. Does NOT work when: someone has used Mr Sheen or silicone polish, the existing coating is solvent and the new coat is water-based, or there are deep scratches through to bare timber. Always test a patch first. Full guide at sand-aid.com/guides/screen-and-recoat.html
Still have a question?
Ring Brad. 24 years of Bona experience. Straight answer, no runaround.
Call 1300 950 551