Hardwood floor scratches - temporary fix?

6 years ago

Hello!

We installed maple engineered wood floor a few years ago. we went with maple for what I thought would be a more durable wood type. Sometimes I think we made a mistake to install them throughout the entire home but we loved them that much.

we also have a Boston Terrier, needless to say he's done a considerable amount of damage to our floors. His high-strung personality makes me cringe every time someone knocks at the door and he literally skates on them as he's rushing to the door.

With the hopes that some day we'll be able to gently sand the floors and get them back to a reasonable state, can anyone recommend how to go about fixing or fill deeper, more noticeable scratches, I was thinking wood putty or filler and applying it with a plastic putty knife. I just uncertain as to how it would keep within the actual scratch of if It would stay and not wash away after we clean the floors.

The floors are fairly forgiving. First off, they have man-made/handcarved 'imperfections' as we knew our dog would create more as time went by. His scratches are more like indentations. If your directly over the scratches you can't see them, and you don't see the actual maple natural wood color comng through. The issue is moreso when you viewing them from a distance , with the angle of view the window reflection shines down on them, and some are very prominant.

To reiterate the question, has anyone managed to fill their scratches in with a putty or wood filler? sort of a hack for bigger scratches?

Featured Answer

SJ McCarthy

6 years ago

Nothing. Do nothing. These scratches are normal. Completely normal. The colour and appearance of your wood is quite forgiving. The only one better: natural wood colour.

The finish is doing its job. It is taking the abuse and leaving the wood AND THE STAIN in tact. There is nothing better than what you have on there = factory finish polyurethane.

Anything you put on this floor is going to ruin them. And I mean wailing, hair pulling, crying, nose running for HOURS because of the frustration of what you have done to yourself = ruin your own floors.

The only 'option' you *might have (factory finishes are NOTORIOUS for difficulties = ruined floor) is a 'buff and coat'. It runs $3/sf and could be more of a hassle (ie. ruined floors) than the potential of making them look 'better'.

And besides, the scratches will continue THE NEXT DAY your dog is allowed on the floor. You will pay all that money only to be faced with the same issue 1 month later.

Leave them be. They are normal and they are happy. And they are perfectly functional. There is nothing here that needs 'repair'.

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Comments (13)

thinkdesignlive
6 years ago
With soft maple engineered floors really your best bet is extra diligent nail trims on your dog. Sorry.
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PRO
G & S Floor Service
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Buff with a tennis ball or sock. If, that does't work, buff it with dry baking soda.
lazzz
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you all for the replies

SJ - I'm not giving up yet! :D The floors might be happy, but I'm crying inside! Our dog still having a few more years is exactly why I'm trying a temporary fix. Afterwards I may get them buffed and coated.

G & S

I just tried buffing with a tennis ball, now I'll be moving to baking soda, I just uncertain as to what the expectation is? is the goal to hide the scratches or remove them? Also what do you recommend buffing with when using baking soda?

Thanks in advance!
thinkdesignlive
6 years ago
SJ will weigh in but I don't think there will be any buffing and coating with that type of engineered plank (with the eased edges). My understanding is what you have is what you get.
kristaj
6 years ago
Try rubbing over the scratches with a nut. We had some very noticeable scratches on our floor right in front of our patio door where light shone directly on them. Out of initial panic I tried that, and I literally cannot see them. Not even months later. I do not understand why they are not reappearing as the oils left from the nut dissipate, but they are not, and it has definitely been a quick fix.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
You will hide the scratches. You can also, try buffing baking soda with a little water.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
6 years ago
Those marks looks more like claw marks, which are indentations. You can't do anything about it.
lazzz
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks all! Kristaj, I did try the nut, but they're a little too deep for it to make a difference.

Yes they are claw marks, and i do believe they are indentations. Would using steam work?
SJ McCarthy
6 years ago
NOOOOOOO! No steam! Never ever use steam with wood. The steam 'cooks' the polyurethane causing it to haze and crack.

If you REALLY want to make these look better, bring in a hardwood flooring professional to attempt a 'buff and coat'. This is the ONLY option for these types of dents/scratches.

And remember: factory finished hardwoods are NOTORIOUSLY difficult to get a buff and coat to 'stick'. It could make the problem worse (as in ruin the floors).

If you are so desperate to make these issues 'look' better, then please do it properly = buff and coat. Which may not work. For $3/sf.
lazzz
Original Author
6 years ago
Ok!! alright I will get a pro in here, thank you!
SJ McCarthy
6 years ago
Please have your 'cleaning' regime ready for the pro. They will need to know the products you have used on the floor. How often. And for how many years. If you *happen to have a box of the product left over, you will want to bring that out. It will indicate the type of finish on there.

Again, be aware that a buff and coat can be SUPER difficult to achieve on a factory finished floor like yours. They work MUCH better on a site finished floor.
lazzz
Original Author
6 years ago
all things I wish I knew when looking for wood floor types