Timber Floor Repairs – Dents and Scratches in Unfinished Floors

Timber Floor RepairsDo you need timber floor repairs done? Although I mainly focus on Floor Sanding and Polishing in the Brisbane area, I can also do some timber floor repairs. However, I thought you would like to know how the repairs can be done yourself. This article will discuss how small dents and scratches can be removed from unfinished solid timber floors.

Timber Floor Repairs – The rag and iron method

If your timber floor hasn’t been sanded and polished yet, you may be able to remove the dent using the following method.

  1. Cover the dent with a wet cloth.
  2. Press a hot iron down on the cloth. Wait for a few seconds.
  3. Remove the iron and wet rag and wait for the area to dry.

The dent could be removed after just one application, but you may need to repeat the process a few times before the entire dent is removed. If you are successful in removing the dent, finish up by sanding the surface of the timber. I’m no scientist, so don’t really know why this works on some floors. But I heard it has something to do with the steam causing the fibers in the timber to return to their original form.

This same process may work on veneered particle board but you need to be careful when sanding it as you may penetrate the extremely thin veneer.

Timber Floor Repairs – the sanding method

You can try to remove the dent, bruise or scratch by sanding it away. The thing to remember is to sand over a large area around the dent. If you focus just on the immediate area of the dent you will just make it look worse. Also make sure you sand in the same direction of the timber’s grain.

Timber Floor Repairs – the dangerous method

I don’t know if I should be telling you this as I fear it may pose a high risk of burning your house down! So for this reason, I would like to inform you of my disclaimer:

I accept no responsibility for damages or loss which result from the application of the advice given in any of the DIY articles on this website. Persons follow the advice at their own risk.

Timber Floor Repairs Methylated SpiritsNow that that’s over with I can get on with this final method! This method involves using methylated spirits and a match.

Is it worth mentioning that if you put too much metho you could burn the floor and then have to sand it out! So be careful. I think this method works because of the same reason the iron method works. But I’ll admit, I’m no scientist!

Peter Nicholls Timber Floor RepairsSo there you have it. Timber floor repairs for unfinished timber floors. If you do try one of the methods in this article and have success with it, please leave your comments below. I’d love to hear how you go. I will be cheeky and say though, that if you your floor were sanded and polished, it would look much better. So if you are in Brisbane or the Gold Coast and want a quote to get your floor refinished, please give me a call!