Sealer before water-based polyurethane?

6 years ago

I would like to have our new white oak floors sealed with a water-based polyurethane. There is much conflicting information out there. The flooring contractor may be telling me he has used water-based before but I don't know that for sure. I've read that they have to be trained in application. Excuse my ignorance, but what can happen if he has not worked with it before? Do I need a sealer over the stain before the water-based polyurethane is used? I'm really confused. If I go with a Bona waterbased poly, do I need to use Bona stain and Bona sealer? Please help.

Featured Answer

SJ McCarthy

6 years ago

White Oak often requires a sealant....but that depends on the stain manufacturer. Some stains do NOT require a sealant (over white oak) whereas others MUST have sealant.

As you can see, this gets weird really quickly. Did you know that Bona makes their own stains? Does your REFINISHER know this? Someone who has been trained on the Bona Systems (there are more than one...just for fun!) they will have ALL of this information already in their head!

A two part polyurethane is much higher quality than a single component. Bona has several single components which the refinishers LOVE to use (because it makes them more money and are super easy to use) and Bona makes 2 part (2K) products that are difficult and expensive to use....but produce a far superior finish (as mentioned above).

If you are not hearing what you want to hear...then find someone else. You are welcome to use the National Wood Flooring Association's website to find your nearest Certified Sander/Refinisher. These guys have all the training you could ever wish for. They will use whatever you choose - and do it properly.

www.nwfa.org

Please check your quote. An NWFA professional, using all the best finishes/stains/sealants will charge $5/sf. Anything less than that and you KNOW they are not fully aware of what they are using and are not fully aware of the work/costs ahead of them. It is a simple way to double check without confrontation.

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Comments (6)

amander97
6 years ago
We just put in new white oak floors and used 1 coat Bona Nordic Seal and then 2 coats Bona Mega Clear HD poly. After 20 different tests, this got me the natural look I was going for. Yes, I believe you need to use a sealer before the poly.

However, the flooring subs were through my contractor and I don't think they knew what they were doing and I don't think they had used these products before (I was the one who suggested this combination of products).

After 3 months, we have tons of scratches on the floors with just regular use (no shoes in the house). The scratches are light and you can only see in certain angles - more like scuff marks, but very annoying.

I talked with another flooring guy and he said they should have used 3 coats of poly and should have used Bona Traffic.
Mary Dragowski thanked amander97
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PRO
G & S Floor Service
6 years ago
You can search for a Bona Certified Pro in your area on their site: Bona.com

If, you are searching on NWFA.org Make sure you are searching for Certified sand and finisher, not flooring professional. Flooring pros are not certified.
Mary Dragowski thanked G & S Floor Service
PRO
Johnson Flooring Co Inc
6 years ago
You should definitely use a sealer before the urethane.
Mary Dragowski thanked Johnson Flooring Co Inc
PRO
Johnson Flooring Co Inc
6 years ago
Revision: I see you've asked a couple times about stain colors. If the floor is stained, you do not have to use a sealer before the waterborne urethane is applied.
Mary Dragowski thanked Johnson Flooring Co Inc
PRO
G & S Floor Service
6 years ago
Only if the stain is a sealer. You do not need to use a sealer. Not all stain seals.
Mary Dragowski thanked G & S Floor Service