Bona Prime Intense 5L
Bona Prime Intense — Water-Based Primer for High Tannin Timbers
Bona Prime Intense is a water-based polyurethane primer specifically designed for untreated timber floors — particularly species with high tannin content such as Blackbutt, Tallowwood, and other high-extractive timbers where tannin bleed is a risk. It produces a medium, rich colouration with a long open time and excellent flow for even colour distribution. Compatible with all Bona waterborne finishes.
When to Use Prime Intense
Bona states that Bona Prime Classic UX is not recommended for high tannin species such as Blackbutt and Tallowwood. Prime Intense is the specified primer for these species to minimise tannin bleed and appearance disturbances in the final finish. If you're coating high tannin timbers and want a consistent, clean result — this is your primer.
Key Benefits
- Recommended for high tannin timber species — Blackbutt, Tallowwood, and similar extractive species
- Minimises tannin bleed-through into finish coats
- Produces a medium, rich colouration — enhances the natural warmth of the timber
- Long open time and excellent flow — reduces visible lap marks and uneven colour
- Strong grain locking for controlled absorption
- Compatible with all Bona waterborne finish systems — Traffic HD, Wave 2K, Traffic GO, Mega
Technical Snapshot
- Type: Water-based polyurethane primer
- Colouration: Medium, rich wood tone
- Dry time: 1–2 hours under normal conditions (20°C, 50% RH)
- Coverage: 8 m² per litre per coat
- Application: 1 coat; allow to dry fully and inter-coat abrade before applying finish coats
Recommended System
Standard professional system on bare high-tannin timber:
- Sand to a clean, uniform scratch profile (follow your grit sequence through to final refinement)
- Apply 1 coat Bona Prime Intense — allow to dry fully, inter-coat abrasion as required
- Apply 2 coats of your chosen Bona topcoat — Traffic HD for commercial intensity, Wave 2K for heavy residential/light commercial, or Bona Mega for economy finishing
Primer Comparison
- Prime Intense (this product) — Medium/rich colouration, high tannin species, tannin bleed control
- Prime Classic UX — Light/natural colouration, standard species, recommended for Traffic HD RAW system
- Prime White — Whitened/limed appearance on standard species
Downloads
Common Questions
What's the difference between Prime Intense and Prime Classic UX?
Classic UX produces a lighter, more natural colouration and suits standard species. Intense produces a richer tone and is the specified primer for high tannin species like Blackbutt and Tallowwood where Classic UX is not recommended.
Can Prime Intense be used as a finish coat?
No — Prime Intense is a primer only. It must be overcoated with a suitable Bona waterborne topcoat.
Is it compatible with Traffic HD Raw?
For Traffic HD Raw, Bona recommends Classic UX (not Intense) to keep the colour close to raw sanded wood. Use Intense when tannin control is the priority and a richer colour is acceptable.
Compatible Finishes
- Bona Traffic HD — 2K commercial topcoat (Extra Matt, Silk Matt, RAW, Anti-Slip)
- Bona Wave 2K — 2K heavy residential / light commercial finish
- Bona Traffic GO — 1K easy-apply finish, fast return-to-service
- Bona Mega — 1K commercial/residential waterborne finish