Scratches and small holes in hardwood floors can be real eye sores and considered to be a nuisance to repair or hide. It does not matter whether your hardwood floor is made out of maple, walnut, mahogany, bamboo or oak. Patching the scratches and holes yourself will help you spare a lot of money because you will not need to call for professional help.
What You'll Need
What You'll Need
- Stain
- Finish
- Buffer
- Sandpaper
- Wood putty
- Paintbrushes
- Polyurethane
- Sponge brush
Step 1 – Identifying the Scratch
First of all, you need to identify the location of the scratch and make sure that it is really a scratch. Sometimes what you think to be a scratch is not a scratch at all, but only a mark on the surface of your hardwood floor. Now check whether the scratch is situated on the floor finish or deeper into the wooden floor.
Step 2 – Fixing the Scratch
If the scratch is a superficial one, you can fix it with some wood finish. Rub the scratch gently at the edges with sandpaper. This will help the finish to stick onto the scratch. In case the finish is made of urethane, utilize a urethane repair kit and apply it onto the scratch with a small paintbrush. On the other hand, if the finish is wax, then wax it again and use a buffer on the scratched area of the floor.
Step 3 – Sanding the Holes
Hardwood flooring can start wearing away as time passes by and you can notice small holes in the wood. Clean the holes with a folded piece of sandpaper. Make sure that the sandpaper is folded in such a way that it has a pointed edge. Keep in mind that you must wear a dust mask and a pair of goggles for your safety.
Step 4 – Applying Wood Putty
Choose the wood putty that matches the color of your hardwood floor. Put wood putty into the holes in small quantities. Press it down so that it fills the holes completely. Apply a bit of extra putty over the hole so that you will have a small mound. Check and read the manufacturer’s instruction to see long you should wait for the wood putty to dry thoroughly. This time is usually about 24 hours. Use sandpaper to sand the wood putty and make it as flat as the surrounding floor.
Step 5 – Staining the Floor
Use a sponge brush to apply stain on the area where you filled the hole. Let the stain dry thoroughly for a day and then apply 2 coats of polyurethane gloss. Use the sponge brush again and allow the gloss to dry overnight. Sand the area swiftly and lightly after the first coat has dried, creating a shine on the restored hardwood floor. Let two days pass so that the floor cures thoroughly before you use it again.
Step 6 – Cleaning the Floor
Clean the hardwood floor after you have finished fixing the small holes or scratches. This is very important because cleaning will enhance the appearance of your floor. Use a mop and a pail of warm water to clean the floor. Finish by using a buffer to give a nice shine to the hardwood.
Source: www.DoItYourself.com
