Two-part polyurethane

Most finishes on a store shelf are one-part. You open the can and use it. A two-part polyurethane is different. Part A is the finish. Part B is a hardener. You mix them on the job, right before you roll the coat on.

Once they are mixed, the hardener starts a chemical reaction. The finish hardens all the way through and bonds to the screened floor. It becomes part of the old finish instead of sitting on top of it. That is what makes it tough.

One-part poly has no hardener, so it stays softer and chips. Store polish is not a finish at all. It is a film that sits on top of the floor, and it softens, scuffs and peels.

Because the reaction starts when you mix, you mix it on site and use it on that job. You do not mix a batch ahead of time.

FloorIt Two-Part Finish is a two-part, water-based urethane, a proprietary mix manufactured by ProCoat, a family-owned company in Cabot, Arkansas. It goes on clear and won't yellow, cleans up with water and has a mild odor. An average floor takes about 2 gallons a coat.

If you are a homeowner talking to a recoat company, ask what finish they use. A two-part finish, with a hardener mixed in, is tougher than store polish or one-part poly.

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