We Test... finishes

Hey there, here we're testing a few finishes that we were interested in:

Loba Supra AT, Bona Traffic HD, ProCoat Aqua Pro, Pallmann Pall-X Gold, and Bona Mega One to throw a single component in a bunch. All of them Satin sheen

Again, nothing scientific, just our opinions, trying to choose a finish we think work the best

What we are looking at:

ease of use, final looks, durability, adhesion(did not have a problem with any of finishes)

What we did:

got a bunch of new pre finished planks, 2 different tones, abraded with maroon pad, applied properly mixed finishes with cut-in pads and let it cure. Did it twice, other time with a rollers.

note, conditions were not ideal, around 65F with 50% humidity

Bona Mega One:

We'll take the one component finish out of the question right away, I just don't see myself using it due to lack of durability and chemical resistance, although I admit it's super easy to apply and looks really really good.

Pallmann:

Then I had to take Pallmann out because it looked way off in a sheen level(looked semi-gloss instead of satin) and looked too plastic-y to me. not sure why, I tried to mix and coat again with same results. Bad batch maybe, not sure. I've noticed it was the thinnest of them all...but leveled great and was very durable.

Bona Traffic HD:

Thickest of them all, but leveled great. Although had a little more orange peel effect then Supra AT or Aqua Pro. Silky and smoothest of them all once dry, which could be + or -

ProCoat Aqua Pro:

Leveled great but did show some streaks on one dark plank from cut-in pad when dried(maybe not enough finish). Looks great, not as silky texture, closer to pre-finished floor. Smoothness in between Bona and Loba. Needs more time after mixing before applying but huge bonus is that you can reactivate unused finish next day since it's using crosslinker unlike most 2 component finishes.

Loba Supra AT:

Leveled amazing like no finishes I've seen, silky when dry similar to Traffic HD, but more grippy. On dark planks looked more satin(hazy) then other finishes, Im guessing that is caused by ceramic additive, but not sure. I'd like to test regular Supra to compare. Did not find it to be more scratch resistant then other finishes.

Conclusion:

I like them 3 for different reasons, would make a sample board to show customers, explain differences and let them decide. Or just choose a finish you like working with.

In my opinion all the 2 component finishes are very similar in durability, in the end they all water based polyurethane with hardener or crosslinker. All of them you can scratch easily with something sharp or debris under a chair. Wear, Im guessing the one that applied the thickest will last longer, which is Traffic HD if you go by the book.

Ease of application is huge, I need more time in the field with Loba, it might be a winner here.

Please let me know if someone has different experience, or recommend other finishes to try

Credits:

Courtney from Trumans Hardwood for discovering ProCoat

City Floor Supply for Loba

Bona for Bona