Light scratches in the floor boards – how to fix?
I have these scratches in the floor, and they are quite obvious. Any remedies?
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Replies
Get a large dog. Soon you'll have so many scratches on the floor that these won't stand out.
Seriously... thin some of the finish that was used on the floor. Using a clean cotton rag, simply wipe a bit on the scratches. This finish will wet-out the wood. The scratch will still be there but will not show. If you don't know what kind of finish was used, I'd opt for some dewaxed shellac. Zinnser Seal-Coat is readily available.
It is the finish that came with the house in the 60's, so I don't have any idea of what they used. There was a carpet on the floor since it was finished, but there is this big scratch that I must have done at some point, just not sure when.
Is the scratch in the finish or does it go through to the wood?
From the '60s it's probably varnish. On the off chance that it's shelac, you could simply brush it out with denatured alcohol. Varnish you'll have to sand out the scratch and refinish. There's a good chance that you'll only need to refinish the spot and not the whole floor.
I don't know what can be done with those awful pen marks though .
I will look for some shellac tonight. The scratches are just on the surface it looks like, not the actual wood. If it is Varnish, how could I tell? Should I bother with the shellac?
If it is shelac, denatured alcohol will disolve the finish and brushing will respread it. Problem solved. It's probably varnish, but the alcohol is sure worth a try.
IS Methylated Spiri the same as Denatured Alcohol? I can't seem to find DNA in Canada.
David,
You got any moonshine? That'll work.
Did you ask at a paint store what the heck they use to clean up after shellac?
And, homes of your vintage were often varnished. Then, over the years........someone may have applied paste wax. This will not be good-nothing much sticks to it. You might have to remove the wax around the area, in order to revarnish.
However, trying the alcohol first in case it's shellac, don't hurt.
Yes. Methylated spirits is denatured alcohol.
But don't get your hopes up for dissolving an old shellac finish to blend in a scratch. Old shellac takes a long time to redissolve. You'll probably get drunk from the fumes before anything happens. I would simply use some of the spirits to clean up old wax (although naptha will be faster and better to use). Then wipe on a coat or two of thinned DE-WAXED shellac (Zinser sealcoat is the common brand). The shellac will act as a binder between whatever is there and a future coat of varnish if needed. If you are lucky, the shellac coating will darken and "finish" the scratch to a sufficient degree to make you happy. If it doesn't, then you'll have to coat it with something else.... probably a satin varnish. You see, the shellac will be glossy.... it always is, doesn't come any other way. To make the scratch go away, visually, you will want to match color and sheen.
One technique to try is to coat the scratch, let it dry for a day or two, then smudge it with your shoe. Blend it all in together. It's a floor.