If the floors in your home are made of wood, it is inevitable that sooner or later they will scratch despite all your attention. Most scratches are caused by moving furniture, pets and pebbles that have been brought in from outside. It is not difficult to restore a scratched parquet to its old splendor, but a lot depends on the severity of the situation. Thanks to the few simple instructions in this tutorial, you will be able to repair and hide all the engravings from the wooden floor, making it even more durable.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Hide Shallow Scratches with a Wood Marker
Step 1. Clean the area to be treated
Use a soft cloth dampened with water, then gently wipe the scratched surface of the parquet to remove dust and debris.
Step 2. Run a test
Before applying the marker to the scratch, test it on an inconspicuous area of the wood to see if the tone matches properly. If so, you can use it on the scratch.
Wood touch-up brushes come in many colors and you can buy them at home improvement stores, paint shops and hardware stores
Step 3. Apply the marker to the stain
If you are sure the marker is fine, run its tip over the scratch a few times. Don't worry if the stained area looks slightly brighter. You can go back to it after removing the excess.
Step 4. Rub the paint over the scratch
Press the cloth lightly on the parquet area to be treated, concentrating on the scratch, then rub in the direction of the wood grain.
- This method is more effective than applying the marker directly to the scratch, as it allows you to add color gradually.
- If you use the marker to color and fill the incision directly, you risk saturating the scratch with color making it darker than the surrounding wood. The result will be an even more evident sign.
Method 2 of 4: Repair Superficial Scratches
Step 1. Clean the scratched area
If the protective surface layer has been scratched, use a soft rag (such as a microfiber one) and a small amount of specific detergent to remove any contaminants from the damaged area.
You need to remove all dust particles to prevent them from getting trapped in the floor when you apply the sealant
Step 2. Rinse off the cleaner
After cleaning the scratched surface, wet another rag with water and use it to scrub the floor and remove the soap.
Before proceeding with the next steps, wait for the parquet to dry
Step 3. Apply the surface coating
When the scratched area is completely dry, use a fine-tipped brush to smear a light coat of protective finish. This product could be a sealant, sealing wax, or another type of polyurethane enamel. In theory, you should use the same product that has already been applied to the rest of the wooden floor.
- Ask the hardware store clerk for advice to understand what type of protective product you need to use on your parquet.
- If you are inexperienced with carpentry work or if the floor is coated with a special sealant (such as a very shiny polyurethane one), then you should go to a professional to have the repairs done.
- Since this solution is more expensive, you should wait until the scratches have built up a little, instead of calling a specialist company to repair just a small scratch.
Method 3 of 4: Repair Deep Scratches with Sanding
Step 1. Clean the area to be treated
Use a soft cloth and some parquet cleaner. This way you can get rid of small particles of dust and dirt and be sure you are working on a clean surface.
Step 2. Rinse the parquet
Rub the washed area with a cloth soaked in water. This removes the detergent and further sanitizes the work area.
Wait until the parquet is completely dry before continuing
Step 3. Fill in the scratch
Rub a wax stick over the scratched and frosted area to cover any scratches. Wood wax is generally clear, but lightly tinted products are available with shades of honey or various shades of brown. Wait for the wax to dry and harden for at least 10 minutes.
Parquet wax sticks are available in hardware stores, paint shops and DIY stores
Step 4. Wait for the wax to stabilize and dry
Leave the wax in place for a day or two before polishing it or adding a finishing product.
Step 5. Polish the scratched area
Use a soft, clean cloth to scrub the surface and polish it. In this way, you smooth the floor, remove excess wax and restore the parquet to its splendor.
Method 4 of 4: Repair Deep Scratches and Nicks
Step 1. Clean the area to be repaired
Use a soft, wet cloth with a small amount of parquet cleaner to clean the scratched area of the wood.
Step 2. Rinse the floor
Wet another rag with water and use it to scrub the floor once more to get rid of the soap. This way you are sure that the work area is completely clean and free of dirt, dust and other debris.
Wait until the area to be repaired is completely dry before continuing
Step 3. Rub the scratch with white spirit
If the parquet is covered with a layer of polyurethane sealant, you must remove the polyurethane sealant before repairing the scratch (if the floor is not treated, you do not have to worry about this step). Wet an abrasive sponge with white spirit and rub it gently on the surface in question. Go over the area with a clean rag and wait for it to dry completely.
If you have no experience with carpentry and wood sealants, trust a professional in this field
Step 4. Fill in the scratch
Apply a small amount of wood filler making sure it is the same color as the floor. To do this, use your index finger and carefully spread the product inside the nick or scratch, moving in all directions to eliminate air bubbles. Abundant with quantities, as you can remove excess material later.
- Remember to use a specific parquet filler and not any wood filler. These are two different substances and if you rely on the grout you will have difficulty in matching the color with that of the rest of the floor and in painting the surface if necessary.
- Let the filler dry for an internal day after applying it.
Step 5. Remove excess filler
Drag a putty knife over the material to push it into the scratch and smooth the surface. Move the putty knife in different directions to make sure the edges of the scratch and the filler are level.
Step 6. Sand the excess material
Use a small pad of fine sandpaper, such as 180 grit, to work on the area of the scratch where you smeared the extra filler.
You can sand the parquet following the direction of the wood grain or with small circular movements. Regardless of the technique you want to use, remember to be very gentle
Step 7. Remove excess filler
Moisten a cloth with water and wring it out so it doesn't drip. It must be moist but relatively dry to the touch. Use a finger wrapped in the cloth to neatly wipe off the excess material surrounding the scratch.
Be sure to clean the entire surface where the filler was smeared and avoid rubbing right over the scratch
Step 8. Seal the "patch"
Apply a thin coat of the same sealant that was used for the rest of the floor. For this operation you can decide to use a small brush with natural bristles or a lamb's wool roller. Apply a coat of paint, sealant, or polyurethane. Wait for the surface treatment to dry for 24 hours before walking that portion of the floor again.
- If you used a foam roller you would risk leaving air bubbles in the sealant layer.
- For best results you will need to apply at least two coats of sealant.
