Scratches on hardwood floors can quickly ruin their beauty and appeal. Depending on the severity of the scratch, sanding and refinishing is not your only option to remove them. Let’s take a look at the different degrees of damage and how to address each one.
First, Know What Finish Is On Your Floor
With all the different types of floor finishes, it’s important to know which one was used on your floor so you can match them. There are several options:
- Water based polyurethane
- Wax coating
- Varnish
- Stain
- Aluminum oxide coating
Identifying and Repairing Superficial Scratches
A superficial scratch is one that is only affecting the floor’s finish.
A DIY solution is possible. It requires only two items that you most likely already own: apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. Apply the mixture to the affected area. Let it sit for several hours and then remove the mixture. If you don’t see an improvement, follow these steps to repair the scratch:
- Clean the scratched area. Use a soft rag and a bit of hardwood floor cleaner to ensure the floor is clear of any dust or dirt.
- Rinse the cleaner. After cleaning the affected area, rinse off the cleaner. Let it dry.
- Fill in the scratches. Rub a wax stick over the scratch to fill it in. If needed, use a plastic putty knife to force the wax down into the scratch. Clear wood waxes are also available in common wood colors.
- You can buff the scratch. Use a clean, soft cloth to rub back and forth over the scratched area, and buff the wax. Buffing the wax will smooth the scratched area, remove excess wax, and restore shine to the floor.
Identifying and Repairing Minor Scratches
A minor scratch is one that has penetrated the surface of the wood underneath the protective coating. Follow these steps to repair a minor scratch:
- Clean the surface. Use a quality wood cleaner to pick up any debris.
- Steel wool can be used to scratch the area. Rub the scratched area only. Do not rub against the grain of wood. Rubbing along the grain will make the mark more visible.
- Buff the scratch. Use steel wool to buff the scratch until it’s removed.
- Blend the edges. You can smoothen the edges with the steel wool by gently rubbing the scratch’s surface. Keep the feathering to a minimum to avoid making the area more noticeable.
- Use a waxstick. Use a wax stick to cover the scratches. Let it rest for ten minutes.
- You can then buff the area. Use a soft cloth to buff the area and make it shine.
- Use a paste-wax. If you don’t have glossy polyurethane on your floors, use a paste wax after using the wax stick. The scratches will be even more noticeable when you use a paste wax. Next, polish the scratches again.
Repairing Deep Scratches and Gouges
Repairing deep scratches and gouges in a wood floor takes much more work and precision. Floors like these will need to be sanded, repaired and refinished. There are two options.
Refinish the Whole Floor
This is a wise decision if your whole floor is covered in scratches and gouges. While sanding the entire floor can remove scratches, it will not work for real wood floors. If you have an engineered wood floor with a real wood surface, make sure that it’s never been sanded before. These floors cannot be sanded more than once before the wood is completely sanded.
This process is best left to a professional unless you’re comfortable with doing it yourself.
Refinish Parts of the Floor
- To remove scratches from polyurethane coating, moisten a scouring pad with mineral spirits.
- Gently rub the area with the pad.
- Allow it to dry and wipe off.
- Use a wood glue that matches the color of your floor. Use a plastic putty knife to place it in the scratch.
- After the putty has hardened, sand the surface with 150 grit.
- Apply a new coat of polyurethane to the area. You can refinish floors that have polyurethane not been used with the same coating.
- Blend.
Blend.
