How to Remove Scratches From Hardwood

Sand out hardwood scratches with sandpaper.

Hardwood is any wood that does not dent when you press your fingernail into it, such as oak, maple, cherry and birch, among others. Because of their hardness, these woods are often used for wood flooring and to construct furniture. However, even hardwood is not impenetrable, and scratches will occur on the surface if abrasive objects touch the wood. Removing scratches from hardwood surfaces typically requires only light abrasion methods.

Things You'll Need

• Cloth
• Water
• 200-grit sandpaper
• 300- to 400-grit sandpaper
• Wood filler stick (optional)
• Epoxy putty (optional)
• Wood stain (optional)

Instructions

1. Wipe the surface of the scratch with a damp cloth to remove dirt and dust so that you can see how deep it is.

2. Look closely at the hardwood surface to determine in which direction the wood grain runs. The wood grains look like tiny, thin lines that run in a single direction along the entire length of the hardwood board.

3. Fold a piece of 200-grit sandpaper into a square and wrap it around your finger so that only a small portion of the sandpaper touches the floor.

4. Rub the sandpaper only over the scratched area of the hardwood, making sure to move it in the same direction as the grain of the wood you identified. Continue sanding for five or six strokes.

5. Wipe the area with the damp cloth and see if the scratch has been removed. If slight traces of the scratch still remain, switch to a 300- or 400-grit sandpaper and repeat the sanding process. The higher-numbered sandpaper is finer and will polish the surface to remove the remaining scratch.

6. Wipe the hardwood again with the cloth to remove all sanding dust.

Tips & Warnings

• If desired, you can rub the repaired area with a colored wood repair stick made of wax if you cannot get the entire scratch to come out easily.

• If the scratch is very deep, you must fill it with an epoxy putty, allow the putty to dry and then sand it down. Follow by staining the putty with wood stain to blend it in.

References

• Home Tips: Removing Wood Floor Scratches & Dents
• Wood Floor Doctor: Scratches on Wood Floors