How to Repair Gouges in Hardwood Floors With a Poly Finish
A gouge in a hardwood floor is not just unsightly; it can lead to further degradation of the wood and produce cracks. To repair a gouge in a hardwood floor that has a polyurethane finish, apply polyurethane to the area once you fill the gouge. The supplies come from a hardware store or home and garden shop. You will need tools that most homes already have. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Furniture polish spray
- Soft cloths
- Stell wool
- Compressed air
- Wood filler
- Plastic putty knife
- Wooden stir stick
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Polyurethane paint
- Paint brush
Instructions
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1
Spray the hardwood floor where the gouge is located with furniture polish. Wipe the area dry with a soft cloth.
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2
Place the edge of a piece of steel wool against the hardwood floor at one side of the gouge. Drag the steel wool across the length of the gouge once you reach its other side. Repeat this procedure until the inside edges of the gouge appear roughened to the eye.
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3
Blow the gouge and surrounding area with bursts of compressed air to remove loose wood dust.
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4
Apply wood filler that is the same color as the hardwood floor to the edge of a plastic putty knife. Place the edge of the plastic putty knife against the hardwood floor to one side of the gouge. Drag the knife across the gouge to deposit wood filler inside. Repeat this procedure until you fill in the gouge.
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5
Place the edge of a wooden stir stick against the hardwood floor to one side of the gouge. Drag the stick across the gouge to flatten the wood filler. Lift the stick off the floor once it reaches the other side of the gouge. Let the wood filler set for the amount of time specified in the accompanying instruction booklet.
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6
Place the edge of a piece of fine-grit sandpaper against the hardwood floor to one side of the gouge. Drag the sandpaper across the gouge to even the surface by removing wood filler. Repeat this procedure until the surface appears even with the hardwood floor. Blow the surface off with bursts of compressed air to remove loose wood filler dust.
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7
Dip a paint brush in polyurethane. Brush the surface where the gouge was with the paint brush, using long strokes that start at one end where the gouge was and stop at the other. Let the polyurethane set for the amount of time specified in the instructions.
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Spray the hardwood floor where the gouge was with furniture polish. Wipe the area dry with a soft cloth.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear gloves and a face mask if you are allergic to the polyurethane.
