Proven ways to remove scratches from laminate flooring at home

Laminate is a popular and fairly durable floor covering that finds its use in the design of offices and apartments.

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

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

How to remove scratches from furniture (and not only) from the laminate on the floor, we will tell you in the article.

Material features

At its core, a laminate is a multi-layer coating that has a complex structure:

1. Rigid bottom layer for stability.
2. The load-bearing layer is a high density fiberboard.
3. A decorative layer that is responsible for the appearance of the board (it can have a different pattern - "wood-like", "stone-like", etc.).
4. Protective layer for abrasion resistance.

Scratches damage the upper layers of the coating. Despite the seemingly insignificant 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 with improvised means?

Small damage that does not require replacing the entire board can be repaired by yourself, and fast enough. During the preparation phase, the floor should be washed and allowed to dry well.

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

Additional ways:

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

Variants of using available tools for removing scratches on the laminate - in the video:

Special drugs

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

Furniture marker

Furniture markers make it easy to remove scratches on your laminate without complicated handling. The surface dries after using the felt-tip pen in seconds.

Advantages of the tool:

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

The marker is erased from the laminate only with alcohol solvents.

Soft wax crayons

Wax crayons (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 coats of wax and rub in with a soft, lint-free cloth.

This method of eliminating laminate defects has many advantages:

• long shelf life;
• small price;
• ease of use;
• at the place of application, the coating becomes water-repellent;
• pouring over the life of the laminate;
• efficiency.

The disadvantages of using crayons include the following points:

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

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

Super hard wax

In addition to soft wax crayons, super-hard wax can be used to repair scratches. To use such a product, a special melter is required to change the consistency of the product.

Order of use:

1. Clean the scratch from dust and dirt.
2. Smooth the edges of the scratches with the sharp side of the spatula.
3. Degrease the surface.
4. Melt the wax with a melter.
5. To fill the crack with some excess, as the wax decreases in size when it cools.
6. Withstand 30 seconds.
7. Remove excess product using the ribbed part of a plastic spatula.
8. If necessary, apply other shades to restore the pattern.
9. Sand the surface.
10. After all work is completed, the melt and spatula must be cleaned of wax.

If the heat increases and the wax begins to smoke, the melt should be cooled down a little by turning off the heat.

An example of work with a melter - in the video:

Putty

In the event that 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 issue with wax, putty (paste, putty) is used for the laminate.

Putties can be in various forms:

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

Application advantages:

• the ability to select colors from the range;
• prevention of moisture penetration into deep layers;
• suitable for deep scratch repair;
• a fairly long-term solution to the problem.

The disadvantages of using it 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 being repaired does not get on the laminate around the place with the defect - it will be very difficult to remove the putty.

For work you will need:

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

Operating procedure:

1. Prepare the laminate surface.
2. Apply masking tape around the affected area.
3. Separate a small amount of putty.
4. Apply the paste to the scratch.
5. Rub in well.
6. Remove excess with a scraper.
7. Withstand the time required for complete drying of the composition.
8. Sand the treated area.
9. Apply wood varnish - optional.

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

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

All means 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 crayon or other product, it must be borne in mind that the color in it will be slightly darker than after applying to the scratch. If there is such an opportunity, then when going to buy it is better to take a sample of the laminate with you - a fragment that remained after laying the floor. This will make the selection easier.

More accurate work is required to camouflage scratches on a light laminate. In this case, not all home remedies are suitable as they can make the scratch more visible.

If the coating is light, the place with a 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 laminates are less demanding. But in this case, the shade for repair must be chosen as close as possible to the original. If you cannot find a suitable color, you can mix several to achieve the desired tone.

Prevention measures

The following tips can help prevent scratches:

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

Recommendations on the topic

Expert advice will help you cope with laminate restoration in the best way:

1. If varnish is used to camouflage scratches, then the work must be carried out very carefully - apply the agent specifically to the scratch.
2. In case of significant damage, a complete board replacement 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 your future. It is better to purchase it immediately, along with the laminate. This kit includes everything you need for minor repairs - a soft spatula and putty (putty). Such a repair kit will allow you to always have everything you need to remove scratches from the laminate at hand.
4. If to achieve the effect it is necessary to mix several shades of wax, then you need to choose the products of one company. This will guarantee good color mixing and a uniform, high performance composition.

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

Conclusion

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