floor finishes - including treatex, Bona waterbased poly and alkathane

[sandstonehouse]

Hi all
Have been reading about various members queries with regard to floor finishes, and the valuable information in the replies.

Ours is a forest red gum floor. We have seen comments about treatex (whittle wax) on this forum. Has treatex lived up to its promise over time? We were thinking of using the traditional one not the eco one. Has the treatex kept its color or gone yellow? Would it be too dark on a dark red floor like the forest red gum?

We are deciding between it and the Bona Traffic waterbased polyurethane. What would be the pros and cons of each? We dont want any edge bonding as our boards are moving. Also we want minimal maintenance, as everyone does.

Also some people are saying that Alkathane - oil-based polyurethane - is good and has lasted well for 19 years. But most of the professional floor sanders we spoke to dont use Alkthane and say it does not last. One who did use it said you need to put a sacrifical layer of metallised polish over the top and redo this occasionally. Has anyone any experience with this?

Thank you very much for any input. This forum is great.

Sandstonehouse

[Shedhand]

I've used Treatex Hardwax Oil Gloss. 2 coats over select grade Tas Oak T&G. Didn't darken the the timber but highlighted the grain beautifully. Mop over occasionally with Treatex Floor Care otherwise sweep with a horsehair broom. Mines in all day sun and no sign of UV fading yet, though I have Pilkington Comfort Glass in my windows and doors which is claimed to block 99.7% of UV radiation. Best of all no toxic smell and no ill effects on asthmatics (SWMBO is chronic).
In a word "sensational" and Darren at Whittle Waxes is a top bloke.

[sandstonehouse]

Hi shedhand
Thanks for this. How long ago did you put it down?
Sandstonehouse

[jimc]

Yep I got to agree. My house was one of the first hardwood floors to have treatex applied.(brushbox, karri, grey iron bark, blackwood and old growth mountain ash. The finish is as good as the day it was applied 3.5 years ago.

I have got to say it is magic stuff, although a little more expensive but worth it. You can move back into the house 24 hours after final application.

[sandstonehouse]

Hi Jimc
Did you use the traditional 1100 or the eco 1200?
Did you use the hardener?
Sandstonehouse

[jimc]

The more I thinjk about it, the traditional comes to mind as the second coat. A diluted flood coat was used for the primary coat.

cheers

[sandstonehouse]

Hi Jimc
Thanks for this. Just some other questions -
What do you mean by diluted flood coat - what dilution, do you remember? And was this coat applied to the whole floor by brush - that would take a while.

And what was the special roller for the second coat?
Thanks
Sandstonehouse