How to Remove Deep Scratches From Hardwood Floors
A deep scratch or gouge in a hardwood floor can ruin the whole look of the surface, but it also can cause more serious problems. Hardwood floors are sealed (generally with polyurethane or some other form of gloss) in order to prevent moisture from getting into the wood. A deep scratch breaches that seal and ultimately can cause discoloration and rotting of the wood underneath. Filling a scratch is an easy fix, and it's important that it be re-sealed afterward. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 200-grit sandpaper
- Wood putty (same shade as the floor)
- Popsicle stick
- Polyurethane gloss
- Cotton-tipped swab
Instructions
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Buff the inside of the scratch with the edge of a piece of sandpaper. Get it smooth and free of splinters. Blow away the dust.
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Press wood putty into the scratch, using a popsicle stick. Press it down firmly, making sure the putty is tightly in the space. Let it remain slightly mounded up over the top. Allow it to dry according to the instructions on the putty container (generally, several hours).
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Sand the dried putty smooth with sandpaper, getting it completely flat with the floor. Blow away the dust.
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Dip a cotton-tipped swab into your can of polyurethane. Swab the gloss over the repair area, looking at it from different angles as you do, to make sure you're completely coating the part that was made dull by the sanding. Get the gloss completely flat and smooth. Let it dry for a day before using the floor.
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Tips & Warnings
Putty and polyurethane both give off harmful fumes, so ventilate the room when working, and don't breathe directly over the materials.
