How to Remove Light Scratches From a Shiny Laminate Top Coat

Laminate surfaces such as floors, countertops and cabinets provide a long-lasting shine when carefully cleaned but are prone to light scratches caused by abrasive cleaning products and gradual wear caused by frequent use. Slight scratches are easier to remove from the laminate surface's top coat than deep scratches, which require the use of laminate fillers. Laminate fillers include wax or a pencil that fills in the scratch mark to hide the existing scratch and prevent the scratch from deepening over time.

Things You'll Need

• Laminate cleaning solution
• Soft cloth
• Laminate filler
• Laminate surface pencil or wax

Instructions

1. Wet a soft, clean cloth with laminate cleaning solution. Wipe the scratched area of the surface with the dampened cloth to eliminate dust and dirt from the surface.

2. Brush the surface with the laminate scratch filler solution to seal the scratch. Wait for the filler solution to dry, which can take up to two hours, depending on the amount of filler used.

3. Rub the wax crayon or pencil onto the filled-in area to color the scratched mark. Apply long, smooth strokes in one direction when applying the crayon or pencil to avoid adding too much color to the laminate surface.

4. Clean the filled-in area with a soft, damp cloth to remove the wax residue from the surface.

References

• Lowes Link: Armstrong -- Laminate Flooring Installation Instructions
• Good Housekeeping: The Complete Household Handbook; Editors of Good Housekeeping
• Mohawk Flooring: Laminate FAQ -- How Can I Remove Scratch Marks from My Laminate Floors?
• Armstrong: Cabinetry Care from Armstong