Water-Based Finishes FAQ
12 questions answered by NSW's only Bona Premier Dealer.
Water-Based Finishes (12)
What's the difference between water-based and solvent-based floor finishes?
Water-based (like Bona Traffic HD) stays clear, dries fast, low odour, walk on it next day. Solvent-based ambers the timber over time -- warm golden tone some people love. Strong fumes, 2-3 days out of the house, 14 days to full cure. Most pros have moved to water-based because the durability has caught up and the health risks are lower.
What is Bona Traffic HD?
It's a two-component water-based polyurethane floor finish. Commercial grade, extremely hard wearing, stays clear. Extra Matt at 10% gloss makes the timber look barely coated. It's what most serious floor sanders use on high-end residential and commercial jobs. Available from Sand-Aid in Toronto NSW.
Can you change the colour of timber floors?
Yes, with a stain applied between sanding and topcoat. Bona DriFast Stain is water-based with a wide colour range. Always get a sample done on your actual timber first -- stain reacts differently on different species.
What is the most recommended floor finish for a house with dogs?
Bona Traffic HD in Matt or Extra Matt. It's the hardest water-based polyurethane on the market, handles scratches better than single-component finishes, and the low sheen hides any marks that do show up. Matt finish with dogs is the standard recommendation from most floor sanders across NSW.
What is the difference between solvent-based and water-based polyurethane?
Solvent-based is the hardest wearing with the highest gloss, but it's got higher VOC emissions and there's a risk of edge-bonding between boards. Water-based has low VOC, won't yellow, and dries fast -- but application needs more care to avoid marks. Most pros these days are using water-based because the durability gap has closed and the health risks are lower. A professional floor sander can talk you through which one suits your floor.
What temperature and humidity are needed to apply waterborne floor finishes?
Apply waterborne finishes at 13-30 degrees C. The sweet spot is 18-25 degrees C with 40-60% relative humidity. High temp with low humidity shortens drying time. Low temp with high humidity stretches it out. A professional floor sander monitors site conditions carefully -- if the temperature or humidity is off, the coating won't perform properly.
What roller should be used for waterborne floor finishes?
Use a 10-12mm nap roller for waterborne primers and finishes -- the right roller applies the right amount of product. A roller typically holds around 0.5 litres, and you've got to account for that in your coverage calculations. professional floor sanders use professional application tools to get consistent film thickness across the whole floor.
How does cold finish affect waterborne coating application?
Cold waterborne finishes feel thicker and don't flow well across the floor surface, making proper application difficult. On the flip side, hot finishes feel thin and it's hard to apply the correct amount. Store and apply coatings at the optimal temperature range of 18-25 degrees C -- temperature matters more than most people realise.
How can water-based coatings mimic factory-finished floor appearance?
Water-based finishes can give you a look similar to factory coatings because they deliver consistent sheen and don't yellow, making them the most consistent low-sheen film-forming finish you can get. One thing to watch -- they can cause texture on grainy timbers. A professional floor sander can achieve factory-like finishes using professional waterborne coating systems.
What species of timber can cause tannin bleed with water-based coatings?
Some timber species cause tannin bleed when water-based coatings go on -- that's where natural tannins in the wood discolour or stain the finish. It's a known drawback of water-based products. A professional floor sander knows which species are prone to this and uses the right primers and sealers to stop it from happening.
What floor finish won't yellow over time?
All Bona water-based polyurethanes are non-yellowing: Traffic HD, Traffic GO, Mega, Wave 2K. They're formulated to hold their colour under UV exposure for the life of the coating. Solvent-based polyurethanes (like Handley Urethane) naturally amber slightly over years -- some clients want that warm tone and choose solvent specifically for it. If the client wants pale timber to stay pale: water-based Bona. If they want the warm amber shift: Handley Urethane solvent. Sand-Aid stocks both systems.
Is water-based polyurethane as tough as solvent?
Modern premium water-based polyurethanes like Bona Traffic HD are as tough or tougher than solvent-based alternatives in objective wear testing. Traffic HD scores 1.5 mg/100 rev on the SIS 923509 wear test -- at or above the top of the class regardless of chemistry. The old trade assumption that solvent is tougher than water-based hasn't been true for over a decade. Water-based is also non-yellowing, lower VOC, and faster to cure. The only reasons to choose solvent now are aesthetic (amber warmth), cork flexibility, or budget on 20L trade packs. Sand-Aid stocks both: Bona for water-based, Handley Urethane for solvent.
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