How to Fix Chips in a Laminate Wood Floor
Laminate wood floors are plastic or plastic-coated wood veneer glued over a particle board base. This makes for a durable, water-resistant surface---but it also means that laminate surface can chip off. If your laminate floor is chipped or otherwise damaged (scratched or dented), you can't refinish it as you can with real hardwood floors. Luckily, there are repair kits available from your floor manufacturer that can fix those problems and make a damaged laminate floorboard look like new. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 300-grit sandpaper
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton swabs
- Laminate repair putty (thin waxy compound, the same color as the floor)
- Plastic putty knife
Instructions
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1
Fold your 300-grit sandpaper twice to provide a corner. Use the corner of the sandpaper to buff out the area that's chipped, scratched or dented. Use quick, light strokes to clean up the damaged area, sanding the inside and the edges. Get it completely smooth and free of any gloss, shine or loose pieces. Blow away the dust.
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2
Dip a cotton swab into rubbing alcohol. Use the swab to clean up the area, taking up any remaining dust. Let it dry.
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3
Scoop up a little laminate repair putty with your plastic putty knife. Press the putty into the damaged area. Smooth out the top of the area, running the flat top of your knife across the putty to get it even with the rest of the floor.
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4
Let the putty dry overnight. Gently buff it with a clean white cotton cloth to get the finish on the putty looking the same as the surrounding laminate.
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Tips & Warnings
If you can't find an acceptable laminate repair kit, and the chip is very small (less than the size of a fingernail), try using a brown crayon of the same shade as the floor.
