The practical difference
| Question | Screen and recoat | Full refinish |
|---|---|---|
| Does it reach bare wood? | No; the existing finish is cleaned and abraded | Yes; the old finish and stain are removed |
| Can it change stain color? | No | Yes, within the behavior of the wood |
| Best candidate | Intact finish with dullness or light surface wear | Exposed wood, deeper scratches, discoloration, or unwanted color |
| Repairs | Limited; repairs may remain visually different | Board repairs can be blended into the larger sanding process |
| Disruption | Usually lower | More sanding, coats, and cure planning |
A recoat needs a bondable surface
The existing coating must be sound, clean, and compatible with the new coat. Oils, waxes, silicone-containing cleaners, acrylic polishes, and consumer ‘rejuvenator’ products can interfere with adhesion. A test area or deeper cleaning may be appropriate when the maintenance history is uncertain.
The Bona Mega ONE recoating instructions require compatibility evaluation and the appropriate preparation process. A product example does not establish which finish is on your floor.
Good reasons to recoat sooner
- The sheen has dulled but bare wood is not exposed
- Light scratches appear to be in the finish
- You want to renew protection without changing color
- The floor’s maintenance history and finish compatibility are known
Signals that a recoat is too little
- Gray or raw wood is exposed
- Scratches or dents extend into the wood
- Pet stains or water damage need to be addressed
- The stain color needs to change
- The finish is peeling, contaminated, or failing
The question that protects your money
Ask what happens if the floor fails the compatibility or adhesion evaluation. A responsible proposal should not sell a maintenance coat as a cosmetic reset for damage it cannot reach.
Does a cheaper recoat make sense for this floor?
Only if the existing coating is intact and compatible. A maintenance coat uses a smaller scope than sanding to bare wood, but it will not remove deep stains, dents or exposed-wood scratches. Buying that smaller scope twice is not useful if the first coat cannot address the problem.
Compare cleaning and abrasion, repairs, the named finish, coat count, access restrictions and the project minimum. For a fuller sanding scope, see refinishing budgeting and exclusions.