Unlike paste wax, you can switch off between shades of stain with a pencil or marker, which allows you to accurately color match the grain in your floors. Note that this option works best for shallower scratches on new floors with a more recent finish. Many pieces arent a consistent color. First, remove any loose chunks of wood or flaking paint. This will take you around 30 seconds to a minute and you will see the results instantly. Restrict medium- and large-size dogs from all rooms with hardwood flooring, or be sure to always keep their nails neatly trimmed. Make sure your sanded area is smoothand thoroughly clean before you stain and finish. All you need is asoft cloth to apply on clean wood surfaces. These will prevent scratches if any object were to fall. The oils from the walnut fill in the wood, and surprisingly work really well. If you cant find matching floorboards, you can at least patch the affected area. Apply a small amount and rub it into the scratch allowing it to penetrate the wood. There is some term knowledge to be learned before you get into work on deep scratches. Position fiber doormats near all exterior doors, as tracked-in dirt and grit are the enemy of beautiful, pristine hardwood floors. Let the wax dry for about 20-30 minutes and buff the area where the scratches were. Once that's done, fill in any gouges with wood filler or putty, and then give it a light sanding. After squirting a small dot on the scratched area, use a flat object like a putty knife to spread it evenly across the scratched area. Mix the two and apply the mixture to the scratch. But there's a difference between normal wear and tear and something a bit more dramatic. Make sure you clean the area outside of the scratches to remove any wax residue there too. Next, use fine-grit sandpaper to sand the filler area to match it to the level of the surrounding area. Apply light to medium pressure, allowing the scratch remover to fill the tiny scratches. Prevention, ofcourse, is key: Use area rugs and soft protective pads to move furniture, remove shoes as muchas possible, and keep pet nails trimmed. Using anything lower is likely to lead to more deep scratches for you to fix. You can add luster to such a finish with paste or liquid wax, or oil. Tools and Materials Needed: This nourishing oil both protects and hides unsightly scuff marks. If you have a small, single scratch thats only noticeable when you get close (like a scratch caused by an excited pet) and your floor has a relatively new finish, try a DIY home solution first. Fill deep scratches and holes using one of the wax crayons in the wood repair kit. By using our site, you agree to our. Gently run the wax crayon over the scratch. Wait for this to dry thoroughly before walking on the surface again. No need to worry about how to fix deep scratches in wood furniture. A scratch-resistant finish can prevent scratches on the floor. Then, take a scoop of wood filler and apply it in the gouge or deep scratch. With over 20 years of experience, Andrew specializes in sustainable and holistic design and building practices. Rubbing Olive Oil with Vinegar You can fix a small scratch on your hardwood floors with this additional method. Some add character, but some are just too big and need to go away. Consider, for example, a wood floor installed prior to 1970, which was probably finished with varnish or shellac. Welcome to Frugally Blonde! Let it rest for 2 hours before adding another coat. I absolutelylove my dining room table. The goal of using a wood filler is to make the repairs unnoticeable. Oil-basedurethanes (view example on Amazon) are strong-smelling, but they dry with a yellow tinge that darkens over time,which may better suit the color of an older floor. Deeper gouges require wood filler, which can be sanded down and stained to match the surrounding boards. In this video, I show you how to fix gouges, dents, and deep scratches in hardwood floors. Heres how to sand down your floor. Rub a walnut on wood, even veneer. By Carolyn Forte and Shafi Shaikh| Updated On October 27, 2021. Choose a liquid stripping agent, such as low-fume 3Ms Safest Stripper ($14.02 for 32 ounces, available on Amazon). At such a steep price, any tiny scratch or scuff on the floor is bound to cause a bit of a panic. Blending pencils, pens, or markers work like paste wax, but they can be a cheaper and more user-friendly option for scratch repair. Andrew Peters is an Architecture and Construction Specialist and a Principal at Peters Design-Build, a full service architecture and construction firm in the San Francisco Bay Area. To use the Minwax hardwood floor reviver; Properly clean the scratched area that needs repairing. You can also scrape it away with something like the flat edge of a credit card or a putty knife. A stain pen is a pen used on wood floors or surfaces to cover scratches and blemishes. These imperfections can take over your hardwood, and can be easily fixed with some wood filler, a putty knife, some sandpaper, and a damp cloth! This will fill the damaged wood with the reviver. Encourage friends and family to remove their shoes upon entering the houseespecially women in high heels! You can find it with 8 types of shades. This is especially great on engineered wood," However, Petrone suggests proceeding with care. Follow this tutorial from wikiHow for the sealer applying process. This should ensure that the filled area is not bumpy or higher than the average level of the wood. One of the easiest ways to fix deep scratches in wood is to use a wax filler stick. Instead, use a soft mop or vacuum (with the appropriate attachment) to remove dust, hair, and surface debris. For deep scratches or gouges in your hardwood floor, you'll need some additional materials. Also, allow ample time for the finish to dry. Did your beautiful wood furniture get scratched or gouged? Finish restorers are designed to help treat faded finishes or light scratches distributed across a wide area of your hardwood floors. Most wood fillers are receptive to new stains or paint. Step 1: Prepare Area Sweep the area with a soft broom and dustpan and clean it with a gentle soap and water solution. Use a wood stain or a stain pen on the wood filler to make it match the rest of the wood. Thin it out with 10% to 20% turpentine before adding it to the scratched area. Instead, make sure the scratch looks well-hidden. Finally apply a light layer of finish over top, whether . Apply a thin coat ofcoconut oil with a brush or sponge, let it dwell for five minutes, then buff with a softcloth for richer-looking wood. Intro 3 DIY Ways to Fix a Scratch in Hardwood Floors MrFixItDIY 206K subscribers Subscribe 9.3K 717K views 4 years ago #hardwoodfloor This week I show you 3 DIY ways to fix a variety of. Let the filler dry thoroughly. Your best bet is awater-based product with a biodegradablecleaning agent, such as Begleys (sold at big-box home improvement stores and Amazon). Before you attempt any repairs, Brian Levy, a Lowe's store manager in Troutman, North Carolina, says that you should give your hardwood floors a good cleaning with a microfiber mop; then, go over them with your vacuum. Naturalwood is at constant risk of surface wear, water marks, and deeper damage. Sweep often in order to contain any dirt or grit that manages to sneak in despite your best attempts at barring its entry. You can grab a bucket of paste wax at your local hardware store to keep on hand for any additional problems. Walnuts contain excellent natural emollients and brown dyes that both repair and enhance the look of worn, scratched wood. For tips about how to finish the wood with polyurethane or another sealant, keep reading! When dry, carefully sand away the excess with fine-grit paper. For tips about how to finish the wood with polyurethane or another sealant, keep reading! There are many different possible causes for the scratch, but all scratches can be fixed with the same variety of methods. We bring you ways to fix scratches on your hardwood floor, from easy homemade DIY tricks to professional products. Deep Gouge: For a deep gouge, fill the hole with matching colored wood putty. Sign up for the free 7 day decluttering challenge. It's easy and only costs a few dollars.See step-by-. It is an easy and quick method to fix scratches, though many may not believe it. Use a DIY solution of apple cider vinegar and olive oil. It's easy and only cost a few dollars. Required fields are marked *. Be sure that the scratch remover chosen matches the wood, whether light or dark. here! We usually eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner on it. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. Another option is to use a similarly-colored wood stain. Another pro tip? Blending pencils are specifically designed to fill in wood scratches that appear as lighter colored marks on the floor. There are even tinted options for darker floors, making everything look seamless and good as new. Use a Q-tip to remove any excess stain and let dry. If the damage to your floor is severe, you may need to replace the damaged floorboard(s) entirely. Use the included markers to fix scuff marks and superficial scratches. If the wood has a sealant on it, the scratch may not even reach the wood. For example, add a little dark brown or black to complete darker streaks a lot of wood has. Just be warned: Paste wax is not recommended for polyurethane floors, so do your research and know what kind of floors you're working with before you go this route (via Jabara's). This is similar to using walnut on the floor, the only difference is that the olive oil will seep into the wood to heal the scratch instead of almond natural oil. Any non-abrasive dish detergent works well here. Another well-reviewed product is OldEnglish Scratch Cover ($4.82 for eight ounces, available on Amazon), available in both light and dark woodtones. Make sure you pick the right color for your floor, and try this often-successful treatment for minor scratches. For the first year or two, I just lived with the scratches. Older furniture that has furniture wheels can scratch your hardwood floors. The paint itself is often available at craft stores in addition to some home improvement stores and online. 1 / 10 Efetova Anna/Shutterstock It will take approximately two hours for the coating to dry on the scratched surface. Choose the right stain formula for your woods finish, and fill in the scratch completely with theliquid color. And, if all this seems like a headache you want to avoid entirely, you might want to consider laminate flooring in the future. The average cost of new hardwood floorinstallation in 2020 ran between $7,200 and $14,400 and that's only for a 1,200-square-foot home, according to HomeAdvisor. Walnuts can help fix the small scratch that you have on your hardwood floor. Anything that can run across the surface of the floor can cause scratches.. Be sure to trim your pets nails regularly to avoid any scratches. You might even have luck using the simplest hack of all, which could be in your kitchen pantry right now: walnuts. It all depends on what's more suitable for your specific type of floor and finish. Wood putty is similar to wood filler, but it cannot be sanded or stained/painted. Availablein both high- and low-glosschoose the sheen thats right for youand formulatedto last three to six months. I use it every day as a computer desk. Using a wood filler requires sanding, both before and after the application of wood filler. Deeper Scratches Some scratches, though, are more difficult to deal with and require some additional work. The scratch should now be unnoticeable. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 107,980 times. Wood filler uses a compound to fill in deep scratches, hardening as it dries to create a tough, durable finish. Use finish restorers, ideal for treating minor scratches across a wide area of the floor. By submitting your email, you agree to our, The 5 Best Gas Pressure Washers (2023 Review), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Wipe down the wood with a soft cloth once you are done rubbing the walnut on the floor. Using a plastic putty knife, fill the scratch with stainable wood filler. Once the filler has dried, use lightweight sandpaper (use 180 grit). Even water damage, mold, and wood-eating critters can leave unflattering marks. With a blending pen, pencil, or marker costing less than $15 on average, this solution is workable for any budget level, especially when compared to the cost of new or refinished floors. Using the plastic putty knife, take a small amount of wax and push it into the scratch. Please see my full disclosure policy for details. Here are some alternatives to using a wood filler; Heating up some wax of the same wood color and applying it to the gouged or deep scratched wood will fill the area like a wood filler. Just make sure the walnut isnt a darker color than the surrounding floor, or the repair will stand out. By Bob Vila Updated Mar 24, 2021 9:51 AM. The detailed process is described below. Fillers comein a variety of colorsand may need to be blended to match your floor exactly. Seal the sanded area. Clean the surface with a cloth and then apply a protective coat. I bought it a couple of years ago on clearance from Costco and it is just the perfect size for our family of three. Gouge: For a deeper scratch or small gouge, rub a matching colored wax filler stick or brown crayon on the spot until the nick is filled. Want to keep your wood furniture looking shiny and clean? Heres how you can use a walnut to fix scratches; Walnut kernels have about 60% of the oil quantity in them. For shallow surface scratches like the kind that a dog or cat might leave behind on your floor This Old House suggests a product like paste wax. Bane Clene. Wipe it off with a dry cloth and buff it. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Minimize the appearance of deep scratches with a wood stain, which comes in oil-based, water-based, gel, and combination varieties. If wood floors are in pretty sad shape, covered by layers of polyurethane, wax, or even paint, you can strip them to reveal their unfinished beauty. If your scratches are really deep then you may want to go over the area a second time. Sanding refers to rubbing away at the area around the scratch to make the scratched surface disappear. Step 2: Fix Scratches Light scratches and deep scratches require different repair approaches. Scratches Conceal surface scratches with a simple stain-filled marker ( Minwax Wood Finish Stain Marker, $8.99; Amazon). THE FIX: For shallow pet scratches, rub a small amount of tinted paste wax directly into the spot with a clean, soft rag. Set and dry, sand lightly and buff, then seal with a coat of polyurethane finish. If the entire floor is covered in scratches and gouges, the best option might be to refinish the entire floor. Wood filler is a substance that can be used to fix hardwood surfaces. To fill the scratches you will need these wood filler crayons. Also, use the paint to match any marks in the wood. Thats never an easy task; it involves powerful cleaning agents (for example, mineral spirits and ammonia) and no small quantity of elbow grease. Minwax Hardwood Floor Reviver is a product that brings the beauty of your hardwood floor back to life. Choose a color that most closely matches the wood's shade. "Simply fill your scratch in with the wood filler, sand it so it's even with your surface, and then use your stain pen to match the color of your floors. If your older finish is noticeably scratched, it canbe stripped or sanded down, then refinished with a polyurethane-based producta highlydurable finish, resistant to abrasion and easy to cleanjust be sure to use only a water-basedsilicone polish on polyurethane-finished floors. What to do now? These covers go on the scratches of the floor to cover it. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Allow about 24 hours to complete the removal process. Let the wax dry, then buff the scratch and the surrounding area so that they blend seamlessly. The wood fillers can take anywhere between 15 minutes to 6 hours to dry depending on the depth of the damaged surface, since you are only fixing deep scratches, waiting a minimum of half an hour should do the trick. Once the sanding is done, clean the surface with a dry cloth. Installing a sealant over wood floors is generally necessary to keep them protected from impacts, humidity, and other damage. This method often takes care of minor scratches. You can fix a small scratch on your hardwood floors with this additional method. Hold the card vertically against the wood, then drag it across the scratch. Nothing magnifies the appearance of scratches like dust. ", Deep scratches and gougesin wood floors take more precision to repair. Tired of scratches making your furniture look old and tired? Is your finish oil or water based? Warning: Steam can turn some floor finishes white, so test this method on a hidden part of the floor first. Jabara's notes a few extra precautions to take, like using a scouring pad before going in with the finish to buff out any raised edges left behind by the scratch. Apply it with a small brush or even a cotton swabjust be sure to wipe away any excess before it has the chance to dry. Continue rubbing the stick back and forth until the entire crack is filled in. Check the paint as you work to make sure it matches the table. Are you looking for quick fixes that arent very hard to execute? Do you think these would work for scratches on hardwood floors? Here are our best tips for wood floor scratch repair. However, Wood putty is ideal for any environment whereas wood fillers are good for the indoor environment. No apple cider vinegar in the cabinet? Wipe off excess and repeat again if needed. ), Or, you can try the walnut method, Mother Natures own wood repair crayon that fills and colors minor scratches. The best part is that it has held up for the last 6 months. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. If a scratch has penetrated deep enough to expose bare wood, there's a low-effort way to conceal the imperfection: Simply fill it in with a stain that matches the floor color. Be sure to choose 100% non-solvent-based waffle-type rubber or a natural fiber like wool or jute. Polished Habitat said that Minwax stain markers were a lifesaver for her floors, and the difference is clear as day with just one swipe of the marker. Some other options are stain markers and blending pencils. Last Updated: January 25, 2023 Rub mineral spirits over the sanded area to pick up any fine dust. 1. BobVila.comrecommends using a combination of baking soda and olive oil. This is an easy hardwood floor scratch repair technique that you can do yourself! Designer Ashley Petrone of the home design blog Arrows & Bows shares her best tips to salvage and restore your home's wood floors. How to Remove Scratches from Hardwood Floors Finally, use varnish (thinned with 10 or 20 percent turpentine) as a coating over the repair. If nothing else, your thirsty wood will be very happy.". Remember to clean up any areas with spilled filler as well. Rub the filler with your fingers to blend it in along the edges of the scratch until its as flat as possible. Before you reluctantly dip into your emergency fund to refinish your entire floor, we've rounded up a list of budget-friendly ways to fix the huge scratch in your wood floor. Start by warming up the oil of the walnut with your fingers, and then slowly work it into the problem area of your floor. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Its a big job, and one best left to hardwood floor pros, who will charge about$3.75 to $5 per square foot to refinish the floor. It's also a dark wood so every little scratch and scrape really stands out. If youre committed to keeping your hardwoods in tip-top shape, consider the following tried-and-true methods of safeguarding wood against the most common threats to its flawlessness: Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. It will take about 20-30 minutes total to fix the scratches. You can see that the top layer and stain is completely gone. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. To clean, add two to four drops of liquid soap to a quart of water, mix in a spray bottle, and mist your polyurethane-finished floor, then distribute the solution with a dry microfiber mop. Choose a stick in a color that matches the wood and rub it over the scratch until the scratch is filled. All of these products are often available at home improvement stores. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), takes at least this much wood off the surface, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. A little elbow grease can bring life back to wood floors. Here are some helpful tips: Don't forget to reapply wood finish. It's easy to fix scratches in wood, even if they are really deep. Use a plastic putty knife to scrape off any excess filler. Take a damp microfiber cloth and clean off the table or whatever wood furniture you are working with. Bigger scratches will take a little more effort than just a light scratch or dent. And, as a homeowner, you likely make enough trips to Lowe's as it is. The variety of colors should match most wood furniture you may have. The directions are very simple and straight-forward; Mayonnaise contains vegetable oil and as we already know, oils repair the floor by seeping into the wood. Still, one of the best things about scratches in hardwood floors is that theyre easy to repair, especially compared with vinyl flooring or carpeting, says Brett Miller, vice president of education and certification for the National Wood Flooring Association. The average cost of new hardwood floor installation in 2020 ran between $7,200 and $14,400 and that's only for a 1,200-square-foot home, according to HomeAdvisor. If necessary, sand smooth and refinish to match the surrounding area. If you face medium scratches that show only slight damage, you may be apply to apply a new coat of finish to the area without having to refinish the floor entirely. Sometimes the shade you apply might be darker than the wood surface. These restorers can be effective treating minor scuffs, especially if the wood itself has not been damaged. I was so excited when I found a long term fix for the deep scratches in the wood. So, if the scratch seems minimal, it's probably best to start with a homemade remedy. Step 4: Dealing With Large Scratches. Lackluster wood can magnify the appearance of scratches and worn areasnot to mention that dirt particles ground into hardwood floors can lead to worse. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Apply to the scratch according to packagedirections, wipe away any excess, and allow to dry thoroughly. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jun/30/how-to-mend-a-scratch-on-wooden-furniture, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-fix-scratches-on-hardwood-floors/, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-use-wood-filler/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_6Z-yHABq8&t=116, https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/how-to-remove-scratches-hardwood-floors/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_6Z-yHABq8&t=242, https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/diy-repair/repair-wood-floors-and-erase-ugly-scratches/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh4Dtd9-ISY&t=44, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh4Dtd9-ISY&t=65, https://newengland.com/today/living/home-repair-diy/wood-furniture-scratches/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh4Dtd9-ISY&t=268, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-fix-scratches-on-wood/. 11 Ways to Make the Most of Your Towns Curbside 11 Tried-and-True Ways to Care for Hardwood Floors. Some alternative products are sold as color edging pens or color touch-up markers. Fixing a scratch on your hardwood flooring can be as easy as coloring it, depending on the depth of the scratch. Rub the spot with a soft cloth to remove any excess wax. P.S. If the scratches in your wood floor are really more like gouges, your first step should be to use a wood filler to fill in the gaps before applying stain and finish. Lackluster wood can magnify the appearance of scratches and worn areasnot to mention that dirt particles ground into hardwood floors can lead to worse scratchesso your first line of action should be thorough but gentle cleaning. To fill the scratch you will want to choose the color wax crayon that best matches your stain. Youll need to reapply stain that youve buffed away in the process, so choose a hidden area (under the bed, in a closet) to patch-test a wood stain thatmatches your floor color. For major wood floor scratch repair you may have to rent a floor sander. Seeing scratches in your hardwood floor? Its best to use a urethane that matches the sheen (glossy or satin) of the rest of the floor. It works well on scratches in wood table or nicks in wood.