hardwood finish coming off!

5 years ago

My flooring guy put down a duraseal Jacobean stain (1 coat) and 3 coats of a water based poly finish. I previously posted some wrong info, so am trying to correct that info here (I thought he used a minwax stain but he didn't ).

When I try to remove something from the ground with a damp rag, I'm noticing the finish(and stain) coming off. Posting a photo. From what I'm understanding , there's probably an adhesion issue (?)

Hardwood floor guy is willing to try to fix his mistake was but i don't want him to make the same mistake again...we are already moved in so this is going to be an ordeal to redo. What guidance can I provide ?

Featured Answer

SJ McCarthy

5 years ago

Get a new guy. You paid $3/sf. I'm pretty sure you did not get Bona (of any sort). Bring in a new pro and get a real quote. Ask if there is a discount if the 'original dude' removes the finish/stain he put down.

I would get original guy to sand off the old finish and stain...and then let him walk away. Bring in a new pro and pay the $6-$7/sf for 3 coats of Bona Traffic HD.

The only thing I know that is $3/sf = a buff and coat. This is when the old finish is left in place and a quick buffing and then a SINGLE coat of finish is put down. That is a $3/sf job. A traditional sand/refinish with the cheaper oil based finishes (that turn orange) = $5/sf.

Which means you did not pay enough for a full sand/finish...regardless of what product was used on top.

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Comments (9)

Y G
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the tip- good idea. This guy/crew seems to have been in business for a long time and has been recommended by others, so I'm shocked if he's not being honest about the products he used.

In future, is it okay to still use duraseal or do i need to be using bona stain if doing traffic hd?
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SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
Well....your personal history dictates that DuraSeal + Bona = bad. This happens occasionally (enough to KNOW it can be an issue) but not always. Again, it comes down to your wood, your cleaning schedule, your flooring finisher, his/her technique, whether or not the DRY TIMES were observed as well as the CURE times.

We already know this was done improperly and that the cure times/hardening times were not observed. How long, start to finish, did this project take? From the FIRST day s/he walked in the door with the sanding machine to the LAST DAY they walked out and NEVER came back?
Y G
Original Author
5 years ago
6 days for about 105p square feet but there was some demolishing /new wood floor in the kitchen only :

Timeline Dates:
-Wood Delivery: February 19
-Wood Flooring Install/sanding: February 23
-Sand and Stain: February 24 by 5pm
-Second Stain Coat: only 1 stain , duraseal jacobean
-Apply First Coating: February 25
-Apply Second Coating: February 25 by 5pm
-Apply Final Coating: February 26 early morning 7-8am
Y G
Original Author
5 years ago
1050 square feet**
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
Hmmmm...'wood deliver' Feb 19. Installation Feb 23...that's 4 days. Anyone take moisture readings of the kitchen subfloor? Of the new wood arriving? Of the new wood before installation? Of the new wood after install?

Wait...what do you mean by 'Second Stain Coat'? I thought there was only one coat of stain?

Ladies and gentleman, I believe we have a winner! Two coats of stain are NOT recommended. If that means what I think it means, a second coat of stain was applied over the first coat of stain. Am I reading that right?
dani_m08
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
@SJ McCarthy - as soon as I read “Second Stain Coat” - bells went off in my head! I know that I’ve read comments from you specifically saying “ONE COAT OF STAIN” several times over the last few weeks while I’ve been doing some research on Houzz re: refinishing hardwood floors. Guess I’m actually learning something!! LOL!
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
@dani_m08 =;-P

See, that wasn't so hard, was it? All you have to do is read, read, read and then read. Oh...remembering comes in at some point...Keep on learning! It's a life-long thing, so I've heard.
Y G
Original Author
5 years ago
Apologies! There was no second stain coat. I copied pasted a questionnaire the certified wood guy sent me, so that's why that was there ..it was only 1 stain.