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Wooden Flooring Scratch Repair

People with wooden floors in their homes or offices never like to have scratches on their floors. This is the scariest nightmare for people who take care of this type of floor. Stay calm because you’re about to learn how to get these scratches out of wooden floors and prevent such scratches from reoccurring.

Most homeowners seek help, while others change the entire floor. However, you can easily repair scratches on your wooden floors. There are various methods to do this, and what's more, you won’t need to hire a professional or spend money.

You will first need to identify the type of scratch on your floor to help you determine how to handle it. You’ll also need to know the tools and supplies that you’ll need. In general, the different types of wooden floor scratches are deep scratches, minor scratches, and superficial scratches. Removing these scratches requires different techniques, tools, and supplies. The tools and supplies that you’ll generally need include:

  • Wood filler
  • Spatula
  • Scourer
  • Wood pencil
  • Polyurethane coating
  • Mineral spirits
  • Hard wax
  • Fine steel cloth
  • Wax wood repair rod
  • Protective layer
  • Hardwood floor cleaner
  • Hardwood floor stain marker
  • Water
  • Comfortable clothes

With these items, you can handle any type of scratch repair. Read on to find out the different methods of removing scratches from wooden floors.

Removing Superficial Scratches From Wooden Floors

Superficial scratches are the most common type you’ll find on wooden floors. Sometimes, these scratches can be unpleasant to look at. Whether it’s a light surface scratch or a deep scratch, you can remove them with the following solutions.

Method 1: Removing Superficial Scratches With Varnish

Superficial scratches are generally the easiest to remove because they affect the top layer alone, and this is usually made of a protective coating. You can remove these scratches with any type of varnish if you follow these steps:

  • Use a soft cloth and wooden floor cleaner to remove dust and dirt to avoid sealing them.
  • Moisten the soft cloth with water and wipe the area again to ensure that it's clean.
  • Allow the scratched area to dry.
  • Apply a layer of protective coating. This can be shellac, sealant, or other types of polyurethane varnish.
  • Leave to dry overnight.

Method 2: Removing Superficial Scratches With Wood Markers

You can also use a wood marker to remove a superficial scratch from your wooden floor. However, the marker must be the same colour as your floor. Here’s what to do when using a wood marker:

  • Use a soaked cloth to clean the scratched area to remove dust and dirt.
  • Verify that the colour of the marker matches your floor.
  • Use the marker to paint the scratch until it is not noticeable.

Method 3: Removing Superficial Scratches With Paint

There are different cases where a marker may not be a practical option, and you may need something more reliable, like paint. With paint, you can gradually add the colour until you get the desired colour you want.

Like the other methods above, you'll first need to ensure that the scratched surface is immaculate. After cleaning, you can then apply the paint on the scratch using a cloth or a flat brush. Leave the paint to air dry for a minimum of 12 hours before applying the second coat. Leave for 24 hours after applying the second coat.

Removing Minor Scratches From Wooden Floors

Here are the different solutions you can use to remove minor scratches from wood flooring or hardwood floors:

Method 1: Removing Minor Scratches With Wax Stick

  • Clean the affected area with a soft cloth and a floor cleaner.
  • Use the steel wool to rub over the scratched area. Pay attention to the edges of the floor, and gently rub the edges with the steel wool.
  • Use the wax stick to rub the cleaned affected area.
  • Allow the wax filling to set and dry for ten minutes.
  • Use a soft microfibre cloth to gently buff the area.
  • Check to ensure that the area is repaired, and wipe again with the soft cloth.

Method 2: Removing Minor Scratches With Wood Repair Pencil

Laminate flooring gets scratched easily; you’ll need to be more strategic when removing scratches from this type of floor. Here’s how you can remove minor scratches with a wood repair pencil.

  • Clean the floor before using the wood repair pencil to fill the affected area.
  • Use a damp cloth to remove excess wax and smoothen the floor.
  • Leave to dry for 24 hours.
  • Use wood clay to fill the scratched area until it’s levelled out.
  • Wipe excess wood clay with a cloth.

Method 3: Removing Minor Scratches With Hard Wax

Small holes and a wooden floor scratch can be filled with hard wax. This usually comes in repair kits and with different colours to make it easier to imitate the grain. The following steps can be used when using hard wax to repair minor scratches:

  • Clean up the affected area and remove loose wood pieces. You can utilise a carpet knife to cut it out if necessary.
  • Use a soldering iron to melt the wax and fill the scratched area.
  • Remove excess wax with a plastic planer.
  • Clean the filled scratches with a cloth.
  • Oil and polish the sealed floor.

Removing Deep Scratches From Wooden Floors

For these types of scratches, it is usually best to leave them for a professional because it often requires experience. What’s more, hiring a professional is not expensive. However, if you prefer doing the job yourself, you might want to consider the following methods:

Method 1: Removing Deep Scratches With Wood Filler

Unlike the other types of scratches mentioned earlier, this is a bit complicated to repair and will require all your attention. In some cases, the scratch may be so deep that it will require filling and repainting.

Here are the ways to remove a deep scratch with a wood filler:

  • Like other methods, clean the affected area with a soft and moistened cloth to wipe off dust and dirt.
  • Allow the area to thoroughly dry before moving to the next step.
  • For wooden floors coated with polyurethane, you’ll need to remove the layer before proceeding to the next step.
  • Use mineral spirit to dampen a scouring pad and rub it gently on the affected area.
  • Apply the wood filler to the cleaned affected area to fill all the cracks and allow it to dry for 24 hours.
  • Smoothen the surface with a putty knife before sealing the area.
  • Use a layer of protective coating to seal the area and leave for another 24 hours to dry.

Method 2: Removing Deep Scratches With Sanding

This is a more severe method, and you can do it using the following steps:

  • Use a soft cloth to clean the affected area.
  • Rinse the parquet and allow to dry.
  • Use a wax stick to fill the scratched area and wait for 10 minutes to harden.
  • Allow for another 24 hours before you polish it or add other products.
  • Use a soft cloth to buff the scratched area, and repeat a couple of times before allowing it to dry.
  • Fill the scratch with a wood cream and allow it to dry for 24 hours. Ensure that the wood cream is the same colour as the floor.
  • Remove excess filler and sand off the extra material.
  • Apply a thin coat to seal the affected area. Do this a couple of times and leave for 24 hours to dry.

Ways To Prevent Scratches On Wooden Floors

Scratches are very unpleasant to look at, but they are easy to remove if you know the correct method to use. However, you don't have to wait until the scratches to occur before you take the necessary action. There are different ways to avoid scratches on your wooden floors, especially when moving, and here are a few tips and advice to use:

  • Place felt pads under tables and chairs.
  • Do not drag heavy objects and furniture on the wooden floor. Always lift them up or get help if you can’t lift them yourself. Place the item very carefully.
  • When closing doors, always ensure that there’s nothing below. A small pebble or other similar particles can leave a streak on your wooden floor.
  • Do not walk with your shoes on. Sometimes, rocks can get stuck in shoe soles, and this can cause a scratch on the surface of a wooden floor.
  • Make use of felt protectors on the legs of your chairs, furniture, and tables so that they don't scratch your wooden floor.
  • Always leave your shoes at the entrance.
  • Use non-slip socks.
  • If you have pets, you might need to pay attention to their claws.
  • Move furniture safely so you don’t cause deep scratches on the wooden surface.

Easy DIY Tips For Removing Scratches

Sometimes, homeowners are after easy steps they can follow, especially if they are unable to identify the type of scratch on their wooden floor. Here’s a summary of some general things you can do to restore your wooden floor to its former shape.

Clean the Floor Gently

The first line of action if you have a scratch on your wooden floor is to clean it gently. You’ll need a soft pad with water to do this. The aim is to remove surface debris and other particles. You can also use non-toxic wood cleaners to make the job a lot easier.

Sand Out the Scratches

You will need to sand the floor lightly, but you must do this in the direction of the grain. The only thing you'll need for this is fine-grained sandpaper. With this, you can easily buff out the damage.

Rub Walnuts Over the Scratched Area

Walnuts contain brown dyes and emollients that can enhance and repair the look of the scratched wooden floor. Rub the walnut on worn areas in a circular motion and let the oil sit before buffing it with a soft cloth.

Consider Floor Products for Scratch Repair

There are copious products that you can use for wooden floor scratch repair. These products are available in various types and prices, but they’re all practical and easy to use.

Use a Wood Stain to Colour the Scratch

You can reduce the appearance of the stain and make it less evident by colouring it with a wood stain. Wood stains usually come in different varieties, but the most common are water-based, oil-based, and mixed types.

Shine With a Specialised Care Product

There are various care products that you can use to restore the beauty of a scratched wooden floor. What's more, you won’t need to buff or sand the floor. With a single coat of these products, you can easily remove the scratches on your wooden floor.

If All Else Fails, Consider Professional Repair

If the wooden floor is terribly out of shape, trying to fix it may not be a great idea, and you might want to consider getting a new floor. However, if this is not the case, then fixing scratches with the methods mentioned earlier will be worth a try. Alternatively, if you are unsure if any of these methods are safe for your floor, you can always call up a professional to conduct the fix for you.

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