How do you fix scratches on a timber floor?

[#1]

For very light scratches on a timber floor, you might like to first try just a standard Mop and Glow Floor Cleaner. It's a cleaner and polish combination product.

Next, you could try Waxstix Timbermate Touch Up Crayons, which you rub or melt into the scratches. There are plenty of colours to choose from, so you should be able to get a close match to your flooring.

If you have some lighter and darker variations to the timber, you can even mix two Waxstix colours together. A Waxstix video can be found below. 

The more long-lasting approach would be to sand the floor and then re-coat with Cabots CFP. For the best and most consistent finish, the entire floor should be sanded and coated. Cabots have a helpful How-to video below. - MitchellMc

One of the common methods of repairing flooring damage is using a damp towel and a steam iron. Place the damp towel over the damaged area and place the iron on top and blow some steam into the damaged spot only. It might take several applications so please be patient. - EricL  

An old trick for timber scratches was to make a pot of tea using four tea bags. The tea stain would then be wiped onto the floor, allowing the scratches to gain darkness to match the floor. You can slowly use a cloth or cotton ball soaked in the tea to build up colour in the stain to match. Try not over staining floor scratches, as you will have dark lines instead of white. Let the stain dry when you are close to matching, as when wet the stain looks darker. Keep the tea stain handy in a cup. Cold tea works the same as hot.- Jewelleryrescue

[Chris1256]

Nice this is great information, I have wooden floors and will give this a go ASAP.

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Chris1256. It's a pleasure to have you join us, and many thanks for jumping into the discussion.

I'm pleased to hear you've found this info helpful. Let us know how you go and if you need any assistance with your project.

Mitchell
 

[Nailbag]

A damp tea towel resting over the scratch/dent and then apply a hot iron can often lift small indents in timber. This worked for me when I had a few small indents in a solid hardwood door damaged from a heavy object falling against it.

Regards, Nailbag

[antrix_bansal]

HI can we recoat bamboo flooring ? 

[EricL]

Hello @antrix_bansal 

If you are sure that it is actual bamboo timber, then it's possible to sand it down and apply a new sealer on the surface. One way to check is to look at the side profile of the floor, if it is bamboo timber all the way down then it can be restored. But if it is vinyl or faux bamboo it will be possible to recoat it. 

• Real bamboo timber flooring is made from solid or engineered bamboo, where layers of bamboo are compressed and bonded together. It is durable, moisture-resistant, and can be sanded and refinished over time.
   
• Bamboo laminate clip-on timber flooring consists of a high-density fibreboard (HDF) core with a thin bamboo veneer on top. It has a click-lock system for easy installation but cannot be sanded or refinished like real bamboo.
   
• Faux bamboo surface on a clip-on flooring system is not real bamboo at all; it's a printed or textured image of bamboo on a synthetic surface, usually made of vinyl or laminate. It mimics the look of bamboo but lacks its natural durability and feel.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric