With dogs, use a finish with high solids. 40-50% is ideal. It will help prevent indentations from their paws.

Ha! I was about to suggest the Loba 2K Supra AT! Snicker! I was also going to suggest the UV Protect additive to STOP the maple from turning yellow (which maple does...quite happily). They are copping out.

I've sold Loba 2K Supra AT (satin is nice as low gloss...if you want a bit of sheen you will work with the semi-gloss). I'm a HUGE fan. I've used it on CORK...and it does EXTREMEMLY well against dogs' nails. Cork is the softest hardwood in the world...if the 2K Supra AT works on cork it will be AWESOME on Maple.

Traditionally an oil based finish, with THREE coats, is one of the toughest finishes on the market. But you'll notice there is a caveat = 3 coats is a must! If your oil based finish is looking beaten up, I'm going to take an educated guess - they only used 2 coats (saves time and money!).

Now for the stuff about Loba 2K Supra AT = very expensive. It retails for $195 - $225 USD. Yep. It is EXPENSIVE. And GUESS who has to take on that expense - before they get paid? The refinishers. If you assume a 'good' oil based polyurethane retails for $80/gallon, you can see why they are trying to push back on this item.

I personally would look at using the combination:

1. UV Protect Additive ($60 - $80/container = enough for 1 gallon) for the first coat of,

2. Loba 2K Supra AT Gloss (assume $200/gallon = 525sf of coverage): 1st coat

3. Loba 2K Supra AT Gloss (assume $200/gallon = 550sf of coverage): 2nd coat

4. Loba 2K Supra AT "Your choice of sheen" (assume $200/gallon = 600sf of coverage): 3rd coat

Just the materials alone will increase their bid by $1.50/sf. Tell them you are willing to pay the upcharge for the materials. You understand the Loba 2K Supra AT is expensive and you are more than willing to pay the extra.

That should calm their feathers. But be aware: Loba is HIGHLY sensitive to LOW temps. And by low, they mean +45 F or lower (5C or lower). Getting hold of some in the winter is like hunting for Leprechauns....unless you live close enough to N.C. that you can drive to the factory.

One coat of easy prime and three coats of Supra AT will make a world of difference compared to one coat easy prime and two coats Supra AT. It puts you well over 100% solids.

Bringing this back up to the top. How do you find a contractor who will actually use the Loba? So far 4 have said they will only use oil, one said he would use it but was almost twice as much as the others and I’m not really sure he’s ever used it before. $3000 vs $5700.

Find a Loba sales rep in your area and contact them for a referral.

Unfortunately, there are none.

If, there are no reps. How are you getting the product?

Online. But I have found a local source for Bona Traffic HD.