Proven ways to remove scratches from laminate flooring at home

Laminate is a popular and fairly durable floor covering that is used in the design of office space and apartments.

Despite its fairly high wear resistance, the laminate can be damaged if handled carelessly.

To restore its visual appeal and remove scratches, various means can be used - from improvised to professional.

We will tell you in this article how to remove scratches from furniture (and not only) from laminate flooring.

Features of the material

At its core, laminate is a multilayer coating that has a complex structure:

1. Rigid bottom layer providing stabilization.
2. The load-bearing layer is high-density fiberboard.
3. Decorative layer, which is responsible for the appearance of the board (can have a different pattern - “wood”, “stone”, etc.).
4. A protective layer that provides abrasion resistance.

When scratched, the top layers of the coating are damaged. Despite the apparent insignificance of scratches, the laminate becomes unprotected from moisture, abrasion and other influences. As a result, the defect may become so large that the entire board will have to be replaced.

How to remove using improvised means?

Minor damage that does not require replacement of the entire board can be repaired independently, and quite quickly. At the preparation stage, the floor should be washed and allowed to dry thoroughly.

Sunflower or other vegetable oil can be used to remove minor scratches. To treat, apply a few drops to the damaged area of ​​the coating and rub them in thoroughly. You can use sponges or soft napkins for grouting.

Additional methods:

• using WD-40 aerosol lubricant;
• use of polishes;
• rubbing the area with walnut kernels;
• rubbing scratches with children's wax pencils, etc.

Options for using improvised means to remove scratches on laminate flooring - in the video:

Special preparations

Special products can be used to eliminate defects on the laminate in the form of scratches. They are designed to camouflage defects and restore the appearance of the surface.

Furniture marker

Furniture markers make it easy to remove scratches on laminate flooring without complicated processing. The surface dries after using the felt-tip pen in a matter of seconds.

Advantages of the product:

• quick drying;
• moisture resistance;
• long shelf life;
• choice of shades;
• reusable;
• good camouflage;
• affordable price;
• quick correction of defects on the surface.

The marker can be erased from the laminate only with alcohol solvents.

Soft wax pencils

Wax pencils (crayons) are an easy-to-use tool that allows you to hide coating defects.

Pencil use process:

1. Prepare the floor - wash and dry.
2. Apply several layers of wax and rub it in with a soft, lint-free cloth.

This method of eliminating laminate defects has many advantages:

• long shelf life;
• low price;
• ease of use;
• at the place of application, the coating acquires water-repellent qualities;
• extending the service life of the laminate;
• efficiency.

The disadvantages of using chalk include the following:

• over time, the wax is erased from the surface of the laminate;
• This repair option can only be used for superficial, not deep scratches.

Before using a pencil in the middle of the floor, it should be tested on an inconspicuous area.

Super hard wax

In addition to soft wax pencils, extra-hard wax can be used to fill scratches. To use such a product, you need a special melter that allows you to change the consistency of the product.

How to use:

1. Clean the scratch from dust and dirt.
2. Smooth the edges of the scratch with the sharp side of a spatula.
3. Degrease the surface.
4. Melt the wax with a melter.
5. Fill the crack with some excess, as the wax decreases in size as it cools.
6. Hold for 30 seconds.
7. Remove excess product with the ribbed part of a plastic spatula.
8. If necessary, use other shades to restore the pattern.
9. Sand the surface.
10. After all work is completed, it is necessary to clean the melter and spatula from wax.

If the heating increases and the wax begins to smoke, the melter should be cooled slightly by turning off the heat.

An example of working with a melter is in the video:

putty

In the case where the scratches on the coating are deep, affecting not only the top layer, you will have to use a more radical approach to repair. If it is impossible to solve the problem with wax, putty (paste, putty) for the laminate is used.

Putties can come in various forms:

1. Powdery.
2. Pasty (in tube).
3. Solid in the form of briquettes.

Advantages of use:

• the ability to select colors from an assortment;
• preventing moisture from entering deep layers;
• Suitable for repairing deep scratches;
• a fairly long-term solution to the problem.

The disadvantages of use include the need for skill when applying the composition. When working with putty, it is necessary to cover the areas near the scratch with masking tape. This must be done so that the material used for repairs does not get on the laminate around the defective area - it will be very difficult to remove the putty.

To work you will need:

• masking tape;
• spatula (scraper) rubber or plastic;
• putty.

Operating procedure:

1. Prepare the laminate surface.
2. Apply masking tape around the affected area.
3. Remove a small amount of putty.
4. Apply the paste to the scratch.
5. Rub in well.
6. Remove excess with a scraper.
7. Allow the time necessary for the composition to dry completely.
8. Sand the treated area.
9. Apply wood varnish, if desired.

If you have no experience in carrying out such work with putty, it is recommended to first practice on an unnecessary board, since the composition dries quickly.

Features of damage removal taking into account the color of the coating

All products for camouflaging laminate defects are available in a wide range of colors. This allows you to choose a shade as close as possible to the main tone of the board.

When choosing a wax pencil or other product, you must take into account that the color in it will be slightly darker than after application to the scratch. If there is such an opportunity, then when going shopping it is better to take a sample of the laminate with you - a fragment that remains after laying the floor. This will make selection easier.

Camouflaging scratches on light-colored laminate requires more careful work. Not all home remedies are suitable in this case, as they may make the scratch more noticeable.

If the coating is light, the area with the damaged top layer must be especially thoroughly cleaned of dirt. and dust so that the scratch does not stand out as a dark furrow. And only after that, take up chalk, paste or other means.

Dark laminate is less demanding. But even in this case, the shade for repair must be chosen as close as possible to the original. If it is not possible to find a suitable color, you can mix several to achieve the desired tone.

Prevention measures

The following tips will help prevent scratches:

1. It is advisable to avoid walking on laminate flooring in outdoor shoes. Small pebbles and sand carried onto the soles from the street can cause scratches.
2. Dragging heavy objects (for example, furniture) across the floor is not permitted.If you need to move furniture, you should use soft pads on the legs.
3. Women's shoes with sharp stiletto heels can pose a threat to the flooring.
4. If there is a high probability of objects falling on the floor, it is advisable to use carpets. This will prevent damage to the coating.
5. To care for laminate flooring, only tools with a soft surface should be used - napkins, rags, brushes with long, soft bristles, etc.

Recommendations on the topic

Expert advice will help you cope with the restoration of laminate flooring in the optimal way:

1. If varnish is used to camouflage scratches, then the work must be carried out very carefully - apply the product directly to the scratch.
2. If the damage is significant, a complete replacement of the board may be necessary. The closer the defective board is to the wall, the easier it will be to replace it.
3. Buying a repair kit is one way to secure yourself for the future. It is better to purchase it immediately, along with the laminate. This kit includes everything you need to carry out minor repairs - a soft spatula and putty (putty). This repair kit will allow you to always have everything you need to remove scratches from laminate flooring at hand.
4. If you need to mix several shades of wax to achieve the effect, then you need to choose products from one company. This will guarantee high-quality color mixing and obtain a homogeneous composition with high performance characteristics.

If you are interested in how to remove small and deep scratches from various surfaces and objects, take a look at this chapter.

Conclusion

In most cases, you can remove scratches from laminate flooring yourself, at home.For this purpose, improvised or special means are used, which, when used correctly, make the defect completely invisible.