The "raw timber" look has become one of the most requested finishes in residential and boutique commercial fit-outs — a floor that looks and feels like freshly sanded, uncoated wood, while still being properly sealed and protected. Bona Traffic HD RAW is built specifically for this outcome.
But getting it right requires understanding what makes it different from standard Traffic HD, and why the primer choice matters more here than almost anywhere else in the Bona system.
What Traffic HD RAW Actually Does
Bona Traffic HD RAW is a 2-component water-based polyurethane topcoat — same 2K chemistry as standard Traffic HD — but formulated to be virtually invisible on the surface. It seals and protects without adding sheen, colour, or the "plastic" look that some clients associate with conventional floor coatings.
Key properties:
- Maintains the look and feel of raw, finely sanded timber
- P3 slip resistance rating (AS/NZS 4586) — making it suitable for staircases and commercial areas where slip compliance is required
- 2K durability — scratch, scuff and chemical resistance comparable to standard Traffic HD
- Low VOC (<150 g/L), EMICODE EC1, GREENGUARD Gold certified
- Non-yellowing
Primer Selection — The Most Important Decision
For Traffic HD RAW, the primer choice is critical — more so than with standard Traffic HD variants. The goal is to keep the floor looking as close as possible to bare sanded timber.
Recommended: Bona Prime Classic UX
Classic UX produces a light, natural colouration specifically designed to preserve the raw timber appearance. It's the specified primer for the RAW system on standard timber species. The non-yellowing formula means the system stays true to raw over time.
Note on high-tannin species: If you're applying Traffic HD RAW to Blackbutt, Tallowwood or other high-tannin timbers, Bona Prime Intense may be required to prevent tannin bleed — but be aware that Intense produces a richer, darker colouration that moves away from the "raw" look. Discuss the appearance goal with the client before committing to a primer on these species.
Application System
- Sand to a clean, consistent surface — your final grit scratch will show through a raw-look finish more than any other system. Take your time here.
- Vacuum and tack thoroughly — any residual dust affects absorption and appearance
- Apply 1 coat Bona Prime Classic UX — light, even coverage
- Allow to dry fully, inter-coat abrasion as required
- Apply 2 coats Bona Traffic HD RAW — maintain coverage rates (8–10 m²/L per coat)
Coverage rates are especially important on stairs and landings where slip resistance specification depends on adequate film build.
Maintenance — What You Cannot Use
This is where client briefing is non-negotiable. Bona explicitly states that Traffic HD RAW cannot be maintained using Bona Freshen Up / Wood Floor Refresher or shine-based polishes. These products add sheen and alter the appearance — exactly what the RAW system is designed to avoid.
For ongoing maintenance, use:
- Bona Cleaner — pH-neutral, safe for waterborne coatings, maintains the sealed surface without adding sheen
Brief your clients in writing. It's a common after-handover complaint when a homeowner applies a general floor polish and loses the raw appearance — and it's hard to reverse without a full recoat.
When It's the Right Call
- Residential spaces where the client specifically wants a natural, understated look
- New timber installs in contemporary or Scandinavian-inspired interiors
- Staircases and commercial areas where both P3 slip compliance and aesthetics are required
- High-end renovations where the timber itself is the feature — not the coating
When to Choose Something Else
- High-tannin timbers where tannin bleed would compromise the raw appearance — consider whether the client's expectations can be managed or whether a different finish is more appropriate
- Very high traffic commercial floors where maximum film build and visible protection are required — standard Traffic HD Extra Matt or Silk Matt may be more appropriate
- Clients who want easy maintenance without product restrictions
Questions about the Traffic HD RAW system? Contact Sand-Aid — we stock the full Traffic HD range including RAW from our Toronto NSW warehouse.