How to Patch Gouges in a Wood Floor

When your wood floor displays scratches and gouges, it's best to address them right away. You only need some wood putty and a few small tools and some wood stain to quickly patch gouges in a wood floor and restore its beauty.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wood putty (stainable latex)
• Putty knife
• Cloth
• Sandpaper
• Wood stain
• Small brush
• Polyurethane

1. Patch the gouge with a wood putty. If your wood floor is stained, make sure the putty is stainable latex. Use a putty knife to liberally apply the putty to the gouge. Allow it to dry.

2. Check putty after drying to make sure it has not shrunk past the edges of the gouge. If so, apply more putty. Allow to dry again. Repeat until putty is slightly higher than the floor around the gouge.

3. Buff the area with sandpaper, going with the grain, until the putty is smooth and the edges of the gouge are even with the floor around it. Wipe up debris with a damp cloth.

4. Stain the area of the repaired gouge with wood stain to match the rest of the floor, if needed. Use a small brush and apply with light, short strokes. Allow stain to dry.

5. Apply polyurethane or a similar wood finish over the area once the stain has dried. The patched gouge should be barely noticeable.

Tips & Warnings

• Fill in small gouges and rub it with fine steel wool until the area is smooth, then apply a few layers of clear nail polish.
• Keep either edge of the wood putty blade against the floor on each side of the gouge when applying putty.