The moisture content at the time of testing will influence results due to the hydroscopic nature of the base materials.
Therefore, efforts must be taken to ensure that the moisture content and temperature remain constant during the evaluation period. Ideally, the sample floor should be kept at 65+/-1% relative humidity and 68+/-6 F.
During laboratory testing, conditions were measured at 64% relative humidity, and the temperature was 74.8 F).
The flooring material supplied was Hardwood flooring made from Red Oak. The boards were ¾” thick, 2 ¼” wide and cut into 8” sections.
Three coupons were coated with a supplied floor finish according to the manufacturers’ specifications. The finish was applied using a 1” Pure Bristle 1500 paint brush. To ensure proper coating application rates, the coatings were applied via pipettes to surface. Three coats were used for each floor finish as this was common number of coating layers suggested by the various manufacturers.
The first two coatings were allowed to dry for 2 hours prior to the application of the next coat. The second coat for the current process was allowed to dry overnight before the application of final coat. The Completed coupons were allowed to sit for a minimum period of 24 hours before performance evaluations were conducted.
During the sample preparation with floor finish, drying times were monitored. Observations were made after the first coat at every 10 minutes until the finish was dry to the touch. The amount of drying completed during each time interval was estimated and recorded. Subsequent coats were analyzed in the same manner. Drying times for each finish were compared to each other.
Floor Coating Procedures
1 – Current Practice
Sand and vacuum floor
Apply lacquer sealer at 250 sq ft per gallon
When lacquer sealer is dry abrade the surface and vacuum
Apply sanding sealer and let dry (overnight)
Apply polyurethane gloss
Harco Sanding Lacquer Sealer #1047
Harco Primer/Sanding Sealer #850
Capitol Polyurethane Gloss
2 – Modified Current Practice
Sand floors using 100 grit paper
Apply lacquer sealer at 600 sq ft per gallon
Allow to dry 45-60 min before applying second coat
Sand lightly in between coats
Apply Sanding sealer
Buff with 100 grit
Apply polyurethane gloss at 500-550 sq ft per gallon
5-6 hours between coats
24 hours before light traffic
Harco Sanding Lacquer Sealer #1047
Harco Primer/Sanding Sealer #850
Capitol Polyurethane Gloss
3 – Bona Mfr, Oil
Sand floor with 80-100 grit
Apply sealer at 600-700 sq ft per gallon
Dry 1.5-2 hours
Abrade with 120 grit
Apply topcoat at 500-600 sq ft per gallon
Dry 2-3 hours
Abrade
Apply second coat
Light traffic in 24 hours
Final coat 48 hours before use
7 days for curing
Bona DriFast Sealer
Bona Mega – 2 coats
4 – Bona Mfr, Water Based
Sand using 80 grit on unstained wood
Apply sealer at 500-600 sq ft per gallon
Dry 2 hours
Abrade with 120 grit
Apply topcoat at 500-600 sq ft per gallon
Dry 2-3 hours
Abrade
Apply second coat
Light traffic in 24 hours
Final coat 48 hours before use
7 days for curing
Bona Bonaseal
Bona Mega – 2 coats