Question 1

What is the difference between solvent-based satin finishes and other sheens?

Accepted Answer

Solvent-based satin finishes can show sheen variance at lower gloss levels and may be temperamental in unfavourable site conditions.

Question 2

What is the Bona Belt UX 200?

Accepted Answer

The Bona Belt UX 200 is a professional belt sander used for the main field sanding of timber floors.

Question 3

Which Bona primer should be used on Tallowwood?

Accepted Answer

Bona Intense - Tallowwood is high-tannin, so Bona specifically recommends Bona Intense. Bona Classic, Bona Classic UX, Bona White are not recommended.

Question 4

Can Bona Traffic HD Anti-Slip be used on the whole floor?

Accepted Answer

It can, but most FSA Network floor sanders apply Bona Traffic HD Anti-Slip only where slip resistance is needed, such as stairs and wet-area transitions, and use standard Traffic HD on the main floor areas.

Question 5

Can Bona stains and primers be combined?

Accepted Answer

Yes, FSA Network floor sanders sometimes combine Bona Prime White with Bona DriFast Stain or layer multiple Bona products to achieve custom colour effects.

Question 6

Does water-based polyurethane yellow over time?

Accepted Answer

Quality water-based polyurethane like Bona Traffic HD does not yellow, which is one of its major advantages over solvent-based coatings.

Question 7

What are the pros and cons of solvent-based polyurethane on floors?

Accepted Answer

Solvent-based polyurethane offers good durability and chemical resistance but can be temperamental in unfavourable site conditions, may show sheen variance at lower gloss levels, has strong solvent odour, and high-gloss finishes attract dust making it almost impossible to get a shiny finish without some dust inclusion.

Question 8

What is the difference between solvent-based and water-based polyurethane?

Accepted Answer

Solvent-based polyurethane is the hardest wearing with the highest gloss but has higher VOC emissions and edge-bonding risks.

Question 9

What is ghosting in timber floor coatings?

Accepted Answer

Ghosting is a visual defect that appears in timber floor coatings, listed among ATFA's sanding and coating information sheets along with other issues like frying coatings, outgassing, and coating adhesion problems.

Question 10

Which Bona primer should be used on Turpentine?

Accepted Answer

Bona Intense - Bona identifies Bona Intense as the suitable primer for Turpentine; Bona Classic, Bona Classic UX, Bona White is/are not recommended on this species.

Question 11

How does Bona compare to Feast Watson?

Accepted Answer

Feast Watson is a consumer-grade brand sold in hardware stores, whereas Bona is a professional system used by trained floor sanders.

Question 12

What coating should I use on a cypress pine floor?

Accepted Answer

ATFA demonstrates both standard priming/coating and white tint coating techniques for cypress pine panels in their how-to videos.

Question 13

Are Bona products environmentally friendly?

Accepted Answer

Bona products are among the most environmentally responsible in the industry with low VOC emissions, GreenGuard Gold certification, and sustainable manufacturing.

Question 14

Which Bona primer should be used on Engineered flooring (construction type)?

Accepted Answer

Bona Intense, Bona Classic, Bona Classic UX, Bona White - Bona lists these primers as suitable on Engineered flooring (construction type). Pick based on desired colouration / topcoat - see full detail for the selection logic.

Question 15

Is Rubio Monocoat more durable than Bona oil finishes?

Accepted Answer

Rubio Monocoat claims single-coat application but its durability in high-traffic Australian conditions is lower than Bona Craft Oil 2K, which uses a two-component hardener for superior wear resistance.

Question 16

What coating options are demonstrated in ATFA how-to videos?

Accepted Answer

ATFA videos demonstrate priming and coating cypress pine panels, white tint coating for cypress pine, oil coating for water-popped engineered oak, hard wax coating for engineered oak, and coating brushbox using a hardener.

Question 17

Which Bona primer should be used on Bamboo?

Accepted Answer

Bona Intense - Bona lists this primer as suitable on Bamboo. Pick based on desired colouration / topcoat - see full detail for the selection logic.

Question 18

Which Bona primer should be used on Brush Box?

Accepted Answer

Bona Intense - Bona lists this primer as suitable on Brush Box. Pick based on desired colouration / topcoat - see full detail for the selection logic.

Question 19

What species of timber can cause tannin bleed with water-based coatings?

Accepted Answer

High-tannin species that commonly cause tannin bleed under waterborne coatings: Blackbutt, Forest Red Gum, Grey Ironbark, Ironbark (generic), Merbau, Red Bloodwood, Red Ironbark, River Red Gum, Tallowwood, Turpentine, Western Australian Blackbutt. Bona Intense is the primer Bona specifies for this class; Bona Classic, Classic UX and White are not recommended.

Question 20

Which Bona primer should be used on Radiata Pine?

Accepted Answer

Bona Classic - Bona specifically recommends Bona Classic on Radiata Pine.

Question 21

How long does a Bona Traffic HD finish last?

Accepted Answer

A Bona Traffic HD finish applied by FSA Network floor sanders typically lasts 10-15 years in residential settings before needing a maintenance recoat, and 5-8 years in heavy commercial use.

Question 22

Why did floor sanders switch from solvent-based to water-based?

Accepted Answer

Water-based products like Bona's range are harder, clearer, faster drying, non-yellowing, low odour, and better for the environment.

Question 23

Can Bona Hard Wax Oil be used in kitchens?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Bona Hard Wax Oil works in kitchens as the wax component adds resistance to water and food spills.

Question 24

What is Taber testing for floor coatings?

Accepted Answer

Taber testing is a standardised method for assessing the abrasion resistance and hardness of floor coatings, measuring how well a finish withstands wear over time.

Question 25

What is Bona Timber Floor Cleaner?

Accepted Answer

Bona Timber Floor Cleaner is a pH-neutral, residue-free cleaner specifically formulated for waterborne polyurethane and oil-finished timber floors.

Question 26

Does Bona offer coloured polyurethane finishes?

Accepted Answer

Bona does not colour the polyurethane itself -- colour is achieved through stains like Bona DriFast Stain or pigmented primers like Bona Prime White before the clear topcoat is applied.

Question 27

Is Bona Traffic HD worth the extra cost over Mega EVO?

Accepted Answer

For high-traffic homes, commercial spaces, rental properties, and homes with pets, the extra cost of Traffic HD is justified by its significantly longer lifespan and superior scratch resistance.

Question 28

What is outgassing in timber floor coatings?

Accepted Answer

Outgassing occurs when even apparently dry floors continue to release volatiles for days or longer, including unreacted species, oil fractions, and solvents.

Question 29

What are oil-modified urethanes and when should they be used?

Accepted Answer

Oil-modified urethanes (OMUs) offer balanced performance between oils and polyurethanes, providing good durability with a warmer appearance than full polyurethane systems.

Question 30

What causes frying in floor coatings?

Accepted Answer

Coating frying is a defect listed among ATFA's technical topics related to sanding and coating, occurring when improper application conditions cause the coating film to develop defects.

Question 31

Which Bona primer should be used on Blackbutt?

Accepted Answer

Bona Intense - Blackbutt is high-tannin, so Bona specifically recommends Bona Intense. Bona Classic, Bona Classic UX, Bona White are not recommended.

Question 32

What is Bona Traffic HD Anti-Slip?

Accepted Answer

Bona Traffic HD Anti-Slip is a two-component polyurethane finish with added slip resistance, designed for stairs, ramps, and wet-adjacent areas.

Question 33

Can Bona Traffic HD be used on residential floors?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Bona Traffic HD is ideal for residential floors that need maximum protection, especially homes with pets, kids, or heavy furniture.

Question 34

Are hardwax oil finishes suitable for all timber types?

Accepted Answer

Hardwax oils look particularly good on darker timbers and are typically a two-coat system with slower curing.

Question 35

Which Bona primer should be used on Forest Red Gum?

Accepted Answer

Bona Intense - Bona identifies Bona Intense as the suitable primer for Forest Red Gum; Bona Classic, Bona Classic UX, Bona White is/are not recommended on this species.

Question 36

Can Bona Prime White be used on dark timber species?

Accepted Answer

Bona Prime White can be applied to darker species like Jarrah or Spotted Gum, but the result will be a limed or washed effect rather than a true white.

Question 37

Does Bona Traffic HD Raw need special maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Bona Traffic HD Raw is maintained the same way as regular Traffic HD -- regular sweeping and mopping with Bona Timber Floor Cleaner.

Question 38

What coating dos and don'ts should homeowners know?

Accepted Answer

ATFA publishes specific coating dos and don'ts covering proper application, maintenance, and common mistakes to avoid.

Question 39

Which Bona primer should be used on Hoop Pine?

Accepted Answer

Bona Classic - Bona specifically recommends Bona Classic on Hoop Pine.

Question 40

Which Bona primer should be used on Spotted Gum?

Accepted Answer

Bona Intense - Bona lists this primer as suitable on Spotted Gum. Pick based on desired colouration / topcoat - see full detail for the selection logic.

Question 41

Is dustless floor sanding really dustless?

Accepted Answer

The Bona DCS 70 captures 99.

Question 42

What is the correct coverage rate for floor coatings?

Accepted Answer

Strict adherence to manufacturer coverage specifications is required because there is a direct relationship between the finish system's performance and the amount of material applied.

Question 43

How does the Bona sanding process work?

Accepted Answer

FSA Network floor sanders use the Bona Belt UX 200 for main field sanding, the Bona Edge UX along walls, and the Bona FlexiSand 1.

Question 44

Which Bona primer should be used on Blackwood?

Accepted Answer

Bona Intense - Bona identifies Bona Intense as the suitable primer for Blackwood; Bona White is/are not recommended on this species.

Question 45

Can I buy Bona Traffic HD and apply it myself?

Accepted Answer

Bona Traffic HD is a professional product that requires proper sanding preparation, correct mixing ratios, and precise application technique.

Question 46

Why don't FSA Network floor sanders use solvent-based products?

Accepted Answer

FSA Network floor sanders use water-based Bona products because they are harder, clearer, faster drying, non-yellowing, low odour, and better for both applicator and occupant health.

Question 47

What is Bona DriFast Stain?

Accepted Answer

Bona DriFast Stain is a water-based timber stain that dries fast enough to apply a finish coat on the same day.

Question 48

Why is edge sanding important in floor sanding?

Accepted Answer

Without proper edge sanding, you get visible lines where the belt sander stopped and an uneven finish along walls.

Question 49

What is edge bonding in timber floor coatings?

Accepted Answer

Edge bonding occurs when solvent-based polyurethane coatings seep between board joints and bond adjacent boards together, restricting natural movement and potentially causing problems.

Question 50

Which Bona primer should be used on Cypress Pine?

Accepted Answer

Bona Intense, Bona Classic, Bona Classic UX - Bona lists these primers as suitable on Cypress Pine. Pick based on desired colouration / topcoat - see full detail for the selection logic.

General timber-coating FAQ FAQs

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