How to Hide Scratches on a Wood Floor

The surface of wood floors can easily become scratched.

Scratches on a wood floor result from a variety of sources such as pet nails or furniture legs. These unsightly scratches often appear lighter than the rest of the floor. Fortunately, as long as the scratches are on the surface of the floor and have not penetrated down into the wood, you have options to hide them. If the scratches are deeper than the surface, the floor will likely need more involved repairs.

Things You'll Need

• Broom or vacuum
• Polymerized tung oil or stain
• Small disposable container
• 4 lint-free, soft cotton cloths
• Tinted paste wax

Instructions

Oil or Stain

1. Sweep the scratched area of the wood floor or vacuum with a hose attachment to remove all dust and debris from the area.

2. Pour 1 to 3 tsp. of polymerized tung oil or stain into a small, disposable container.

3. Dip a portion of a lint-free, soft cotton cloth into the oil or stain

4. Wipe the oil or stain onto the scratches in the direction of the grain. Allow the oil or stain to penetrate the scratches for three to four minutes.

5. Wipe the excess oil or stain from the floor with a lint-free cloth. Prevent anyone from walking on the area for 24 to 36 hours.

Paste Wax

1. Sweep or vacuum the scratched area of the floor. For stubborn stains, wash the area with a recommended wood cleaner. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

2. Place a lump of tinted paste wax that most closely matches the color of your floor's finish onto a lint-free, soft cloth.

3. Twist the cloth into a ball and knead it to soften the wax and soak it into the cloth.

4. Place the wax-filled portion of the cloth directly on the scratched portion of the floor. The wax will seep through the cloth onto the floor. Move the cloth back and forth to distribute the wax onto the scratches.

5. Wipe away excess wax with a portion of a lint-free cotton cloth. Buff to an even shine with a clean portion of the cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Home improvement or hardware stores often sell wax sticks that you can rub into the scratches to hide them. The sticks are available in different colors that you can attempt to match to your floor's finish.

• If you allow paste wax to dry completely before buffing away, it will harden and dry to a cloudy finish. You can remedy this by applying more paste wax to the affected area and buffing away.

References

• Don Vandervort's Home Tips: Removing Wood Floor Scratches and Dents
• Home Envy: Fixing Hardwood Floor Scratches
• Antique Restorers: How and When to Use Paste Wax