Bona Topcoats FAQ
45 questions answered by NSW's only Bona Premier Dealer.
Bona Topcoats (45)
How durable is Bona Traffic HD compared to single-component finishes?
Bona Traffic HD is significantly more durable than any single-component finish because its two-part crosslinking formula creates a harder, more chemical-resistant film. A professional floor sander recommends it for any floor that cops heavy foot traffic, furniture movement, or commercial use. Contact sand-aid.com for a quote.
What sheen levels does Bona Traffic HD come in?
Bona Traffic HD comes in matt, extra matt, and satin finishes. Most professional floor sanders go with extra matt for a contemporary natural look, or satin when you want a subtle warm sheen. Visit sand-aid.com to talk about which one suits your project.
What is the coverage rate for Bona Traffic HD?
Bona Traffic HD covers roughly 8-10 square metres per litre depending on the timber species and how it's applied. A professional floor sander applies it with a roller or T-bar for the best results. Get an accurate coverage estimate for your floor at sand-aid.com.
Can Bona Traffic HD be used on residential floors?
Absolutely -- Bona Traffic HD is ideal for residential floors that need maximum protection, especially homes with pets, kids, or heavy furniture. A professional floor sander reaches for it when you want the toughest possible finish. Request a quote at sand-aid.com.
What is Bona Traffic HD Raw?
Bona Traffic HD Raw is a two-component finish that gives timber floors an invisible, uncoated look while still delivering full polyurethane protection. A professional floor sander uses it to nail that raw, natural timber aesthetic that's popular in modern interiors. See examples at sand-aid.com.
How does Bona Traffic HD Raw differ from regular Traffic HD?
Bona Traffic HD Raw has special matting agents that kill the surface sheen entirely, so the timber looks and feels unfinished while it's actually fully sealed. Regular Traffic HD has a visible film by comparison. A professional floor sander recommends Raw when architects or homeowners want that bare-wood aesthetic. Details at sand-aid.com.
Is Bona Traffic HD Raw as durable as regular Traffic HD?
Yes -- Bona Traffic HD Raw has the same two-component crosslinking chemistry as regular Traffic HD, so you get identical durability and scratch resistance. The only difference is the invisible finish appearance. A professional floor sander trusts it in high-traffic areas without hesitation. Book at sand-aid.com.
What timber species does Bona Traffic HD Raw work best on?
Bona Traffic HD Raw works on all timber species but it's especially striking on lighter timbers like Blackbutt, Tasmanian Oak, and European Oak where the natural grain really shows through. A professional floor sander can advise on the best approach for your species at sand-aid.com.
What is Bona Traffic HD Anti-Slip?
Bona Traffic HD Anti-Slip is a two-component polyurethane finish with added slip resistance, built for stairs, ramps, and wet-adjacent areas. A professional floor sander uses it wherever building codes or safety call for a non-slip surface. Enquire at sand-aid.com.
Where should Bona Traffic HD Anti-Slip be used?
Bona Traffic HD Anti-Slip goes on stairs, hallway ramps, bathroom-adjacent flooring, pool surrounds, and any commercial area that needs slip resistance compliance. A professional floor sander applies it to meet Australian safety standards. Get advice at sand-aid.com.
Does Bona Traffic HD Anti-Slip change the look of the floor?
Bona Traffic HD Anti-Slip has a slightly different texture compared to standard Traffic HD because of its anti-slip particles, but visually it looks very similar. A professional floor sander can apply it seamlessly alongside regular Traffic HD on the same job. Details at sand-aid.com.
Can Bona Traffic HD Anti-Slip be used on the whole floor?
You could, but most professional floor sanders only put Bona Traffic HD Anti-Slip where slip resistance is actually needed -- stairs and wet-area transitions -- then use standard Traffic HD on the main floor areas. That gives you the best balance of feel and safety. Talk through the options at sand-aid.com.
What is Bona Mega EVO?
Bona Mega EVO is a one-component waterborne polyurethane -- think of it as the reliable residential workhorse finish. A professional floor sander uses it for standard residential jobs where you need excellent durability without the complexity of a two-part system. Visit sand-aid.com for quotes.
How does Bona Mega EVO compare to Bona Traffic HD?
Bona Mega EVO is a single-component product that's easier to apply and more cost-effective, while Bona Traffic HD is a two-component system with superior hardness and chemical resistance. A professional floor sander typically recommends Mega EVO for standard residential and Traffic HD for high-traffic or commercial situations. Compare options at sand-aid.com.
Is Bona Mega EVO good enough for a busy household?
Yeah, Bona Mega EVO handles busy households well and it's the go-to residential finish for most professional floor sanders. If you've got large dogs or extreme traffic, they might recommend stepping up to Bona Traffic HD. Get tailored advice at sand-aid.com.
What sheen options does Bona Mega EVO come in?
Bona Mega EVO comes in matt, satin, and gloss to suit any interior style. Most professional floor sanders find that satin and matt are the most popular choices with Australian homeowners. Browse finish options at sand-aid.com.
How long does Bona Mega EVO take to cure?
Bona Mega EVO can be recoated in 2-3 hours and reaches full cure in about 7 days. A professional floor sander will tell you that light foot traffic is fine after 24 hours, but hold off on rugs and heavy furniture for the full cure period. Booking details at sand-aid.com.
Why do floor sanders use primer before coating?
Primer seals the timber, prevents tannin bleed, reduces topcoat absorption, and makes sure you get even colour across the floor. A professional floor sander always primes before applying finish coats -- it's what guarantees a proper result. Learn about the process at sand-aid.com.
What is Bona Prime White?
Bona Prime White is a white-pigmented primer that lightens timber to get that Scandinavian or whitewash look. A professional floor sander uses it under clear topcoats to create the bright, airy Nordic aesthetic that's popular in modern Australian homes. See examples at sand-aid.com.
How do you achieve a Scandinavian white floor?
A professional floor sander sands the floor bare, applies Bona Prime White to lighten the timber, then seals it with Bona Traffic HD or Traffic HD Raw for a pale, contemporary finish. The number of primer coats controls how white it goes. Check with the contractor at sand-aid.com.
Can you stain and coat a floor in the same day with Bona DriFast Stain?
Yes -- Bona DriFast Stain dries quickly enough to allow primer and topcoat application on the same day, which saves a heap of time on the job. A professional floor sander uses this to cut down disruption and get you back on your floors sooner. Book at sand-aid.com.
What is the pot life of Bona Traffic HD after mixing?
Once you add the hardener to Bona Traffic HD, you've got roughly 2-3 hours of pot life at normal temperatures. professional floor sanders only mix what they need for each coat so nothing goes to waste and the product performs at its best. Application details at sand-aid.com.
How long does a Bona Traffic HD finish last?
A Bona Traffic HD finish applied by a professional floor sander typically lasts 10-15 years in residential settings before it needs a maintenance recoat, and 5-8 years in heavy commercial use. Good aftercare stretches that lifespan even further. Longevity details at sand-aid.com.
How long does a Bona Mega EVO finish last?
Bona Mega EVO typically lasts 7-10 years in standard residential use before you'll need a maintenance recoat. High-traffic areas might need attention sooner. professional floor sanders offer recoating services to extend the life of your floor without a full re-sand. Recoat enquiries at sand-aid.com.
Does Bona Traffic HD work on all Australian timber species?
It does, yeah. Bona Traffic HD works on all Australian hardwoods and softwoods including Spotted Gum, Blackbutt, Jarrah, Brushbox, Tasmanian Oak, and Cypress Pine. professional floor sanders select the appropriate primer for each species to get the best result. Species advice at sand-aid.com.
Can Bona Traffic HD be used on Pine floors?
Yep, Bona Traffic HD works well on Pine, though Pine's a soft timber so you'll still get dents from impact -- that's the timber, not the coating. The coating itself will be extremely durable. professional floor sanders recommend Traffic HD on Pine for maximum surface protection. Pine floor quotes at sand-aid.com.
Is Bona Traffic HD worth the extra cost over Mega EVO?
For high-traffic homes, commercial spaces, rental properties, and homes with pets, the extra cost of Traffic HD is absolutely worth it. You get a significantly longer lifespan and superior scratch resistance compared to Mega EVO. professional floor sanders recommend it whenever durability is the main priority. Value comparison at sand-aid.com.
Can I choose Bona Traffic HD Raw for my whole house?
Sure can. Bona Traffic HD Raw works throughout the entire home for a consistent invisible finish. professional floor sanders use it in both living areas and bedrooms so you get a seamless raw timber look from room to room. Whole-house quotes at sand-aid.com.
Does Bona Traffic HD Raw need special maintenance?
Nope, same maintenance as regular Traffic HD -- regular sweeping and mopping with Bona Timber Floor Cleaner. Don't let the invisible appearance fool you; it's still a fully sealed polyurethane floor underneath. professional floor sanders provide standard aftercare instructions. Care at sand-aid.com.
Does Bona offer coloured polyurethane finishes?
Bona doesn't colour the polyurethane itself. Colour is achieved through stains like Bona DriFast Stain or pigmented primers like Bona Prime White before the clear topcoat goes on. professional floor sanders layer these products to get whatever colour you're after. Colour options at sand-aid.com.
What is the difference between Bona DriFast Stain and Bona Craft Oil 2K for colouring?
Bona DriFast Stain goes under a polyurethane topcoat, so you get a sealed, low-maintenance finish. Bona Craft Oil 2K is both the colour and the finish in one -- it gives you that natural oil feel but you'll need to maintain it with periodic re-oiling. professional floor sanders walk you through both approaches during consultation. Compare at sand-aid.com.
What is the most recommended Bona product for a matte natural look without an oil finish?
Bona Traffic HD Raw gives a natural, uncoated appearance with full polyurethane protection and zero maintenance commitment. It's the best of both worlds -- raw look, sealed performance. It's great for anyone who wants natural without the oil upkeep. More at sand-aid.com.
What is Handley Urethane?
Handley Urethane is a single-component solvent-based polyurethane topcoat from Handley Industries for timber, parquet and cork floors. It's one of the traditional Australian trade coatings -- tough, flexible, heat and chemical resistant, and forgiving on the brush. Sand-Aid stocks it in the 20L trade pack in four sheens: Gloss, Satin, Low Sheen and Matt.
What's Handley Urethane's coverage rate?
Handley publishes 8-10 square metres per litre per coat for the topcoat sheens. Handley Urethane Rapid Seal covers around 7-8 square metres per litre. Real-world consumption depends on species porosity, application method and applicator technique -- the Sand-Aid coverage calculator adds a 10% waste buffer on top of the published figures.
What is Handley Urethane Rapid Seal?
Handley Urethane Rapid Seal is the matched primer that pairs with the Handley Urethane topcoat range. It seals freshly sanded timber and cures fast -- Handley quotes around 30 minutes depending on temperature -- so you can seal the floor and start topcoating the same day instead of losing a day to primer cure. It also holds the timber at a slightly lighter colour, useful when you don't want the full amber shift solvent poly can give.
Solvent polyurethane vs water-based -- which do I pick?
Solvent poly like Handley Urethane is the right pick when you want the traditional amber-warm look, need a flexible coating for cork or older floors, want a more forgiving brush-on application, or you're working to a lower budget on 20L trade packs. Water-based systems like Bona Traffic HD and Bona Mega are the right pick when you need non-yellowing on pale timbers (blackbutt, oak, Tas oak), fast cure, low odour on site, or minimum VOC emissions. Neither is wrong -- they're tuned for different jobs.
Will Handley Urethane yellow over time?
Solvent-based polyurethane carries a natural amber warmth that deepens slightly over years of UV exposure. Some clients specifically want that traditional warm timber look and a solvent poly delivers it. If the client wants a floor that stays pale and non-yellowing, go to a water-based system like Bona Traffic HD instead.
What abrasives should I use before Handley Urethane?
Same SIA belt sequence as for any quality topcoat -- run our grit picker at sand-aid.com for the species and the condition. Most Australian hardwood jobs finish on P100 before a solvent poly topcoat. For Gloss-sheen jobs where scratches show more, consider finishing one grit finer. Always dust off thoroughly before the first Rapid Seal coat.
How many litres of Bona Traffic HD do I need for 60 square metres?
At the published coverage rate of 8-10 square metres per litre, 60 square metres with 2 coats needs about 13-15 litres. Adding a 10% waste buffer: order 3 x 4.95L pots (14.85L total). The Sand-Aid coverage calculator at sand-aid.com/calculator does this computation for any product, area, coat count, and species. Or ring 1300 950 551 with the square metres and species for a spec on the call.
How many litres of Bona Mega do I need?
Bona Mega covers 8-10 square metres per litre per coat. For a typical 2-coat residential job, divide the floor area by 9, multiply by 2, add 10% waste. Example: 40 square metres = 40/9 x 2 x 1.10 = 9.8 litres, so order 2 x 5L pots. Use the calculator at sand-aid.com/calculator for exact figures. Sand-Aid stocks Mega in all four sheens.
What is the cheapest Bona floor finish?
Bona Wave 2K is the most cost-effective genuine two-component finish in the Bona range -- 2K durability at a lower price than Traffic HD. For single-component (even cheaper per litre), Bona Mega is the residential default. Both are on the shelf at Sand-Aid in all available sheens. The coverage calculator at sand-aid.com/calculator will tell the exact litres needed for the job.
Is Bona Traffic HD worth the price?
For commercial and high-traffic residential: yes. Traffic HD's wear rating (1.5 mg/100 rev) is at the top of the water-based class. A commercial floor coated with Traffic HD will outlast a floor coated with a cheaper finish by years, and the recoat cost is always more than the original coating cost because the floor has to be sanded back first. The premium on the first coat pays for itself in delayed recoat cycles. For a quiet residential room that sees socks and slippers, Mega or Wave 2K is plenty and costs less.
How long does Bona Traffic HD take to dry?
Between coats: 2-3 hours at 20-25 degrees C and medium humidity. Walk-on: 24 hours under normal conditions. Full cure progresses over the following week. In cold weather (below 15 degrees) expect significantly longer drying times -- extend the recoat window. The drying time picker at sand-aid.com/drying-time gives adjusted estimates for temperature, humidity, and ventilation conditions.
What is the difference between Bona Traffic HD and Traffic GO?
Traffic HD is two-component (mix hardener into base, pot life ticks, maximum hardness). Traffic GO is single-component with a built-in hardener that activates on application -- no mixing, no pot life, no waste. Both are 100% polyurethane, both walk on in 24 hours, both come in Satin/Matt/Extra Matt. HD is harder once fully cured (lower mg/100 rev wear). GO is simpler and faster on the job. Pick HD for serious commercial. Pick GO when the job doesn't need the absolute maximum hardness and the simplicity of one-pot is worth more than the marginal extra durability.
What is the difference between Bona Mega and Wave 2K?
Mega is single-component (1K) with oxygen cross-linking. Wave 2K is genuine two-component. Wave is harder and more durable once cured because of the chemical cross-link from the hardener. Mega is easier (no mixing, no pot life). Mega is the residential default for standard homes. Wave 2K is the step-up for heavy residential and moderate commercial where 2K durability matters but Traffic HD's premium price doesn't. Sand-Aid stocks both.
Still have a question?
Ring Brad. 24 years of Bona experience. Straight answer, no runaround.
Call 1300 950 551