BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Patch Wood Floors

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Patching wood floors damaged with nail holes, gouges or narrow pieces of missing wood remains a good option over replacing floorboards. Stores carrying paint also have fillers matching natural wood colors making the product readily available and easy to use.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Wood filler
Turpentine
Acetone
Vacuum cleaner
Putty knife
Cloth
Sand paper

Step1

Choose between water or oil based wood filler, patch or putty in can or tube. Oil or solvent-based fillers require turpentine or acetone for cleanup.

Step2

Match the color of the wood patch to the floor.

Step3

Clean out debris from the patching area. Use a small vacuum cleaner if needed.

Step4

Apply the compound with a putty knife moving with the direction of the damaged area. Deep holes need layering with thin amounts and leaving the filler slightly raised ensures leveling when sanding; read the directions for your particular brand.

Step5

Wipe away excess patch from the surrounding wood floor area. Use a damp cloth for water based filler, putty knife for oil based.

Step6

Take a damp cloth to clean the putty knife and wait for the patch to dry, typically 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on filler type and depth of repair.

Step7

Sand the patched area with the grain as needed with a fine grade of sandpaper. See the label for product recommendations.

Tips & Warnings

Water based fillers clean easily with water.
Use wood filler prior to staining.
Test the filler and patching process, including stain, with a similar piece of scrap wood or an inconspicuous area. This allows seeing the results before you begin the main job.
Consider an oil based patch for outside wood decks where freezing occurs.
Epoxy wood putty works well on old wood that you intend to paint and not stain.