The coarser paper will cut back the finish more efficiently.
How to fix a wood floor finish.
Treat medium scratches with a new coat of finish.
Many finishes take 24 hours to dry.
Hardwood floor finishes have varying levels of ease durability even glossiness.
Vacuum up the dust and apply the subsequent coat.
Then sand and finish.
Apply a light coat of floor wax to the floor s finish and buff it.
Water based urethane will dry clear while oil based formulations will impart a slight golden.
Aside from a few tiny whiskers caused by dust particles it should be smooth.
Clean each area with a wood floor cleaner and roughen a 6 x 6 in.
000 steel wool to remove them from the surface.
How to repair scratched wood.
If you take a chunk out of the floor you ll have to fill the divot with wood putty then sand stain and finish with urethane making sure it blends with the rest of the floor.
Scuff the worn spot with sandpaper.
Brush up on the basics of 8 popular options before choosing yours.
Use 120 grit paper to sand the finish around a spot from which it has completely worn.
Apply the finish with a lamb s wool applicator in smooth even lines while avoiding drips.
Then wipe away the sanding residue mask around the test area and give it a coat of polyurethane photo 1.
For deep gouges or dents you can use a wood floor filler and wood stain to repair the damaged area.
After 24 hours take a look at the polyurethane.
Make sure the finish matches the original as closely as possible.
Wipe the floor with a clean cloth and dry it.
If you face medium scratches that show only slight damage you may be apply to apply a new coat of finish to the area without having to refinish the floor entirely.
Mix equal parts of the epoxy based filler and apply to the gouge with a putty knife.
When each coat dries sand the floor lightly with 220 grit paper or 000 steel wool.
Before applying the filler tape off the damaged area so you don t accidentally apply filler where it doesn t belong.
Use 150 grit paper if the finish isn t completely worn through or if the floor is finished with oil.
It s a big job.
Consider three coats of oil based finish or four coats of water based finish.