Getting Scratches Out of High-Gloss Laminate Floors

Laminate floors are a popular alternative to traditional hardwood floors; high-gloss laminate floors not only look beautiful but also provide a budget-friendly alternative to hardwood. However, this option has several drawbacks, including wear and tear such as scratches and scuffs that can be very noticeable. So, how do you get scratches out of high-gloss laminate floors?

To remove scratches from high-gloss laminate floors, you can use repair kits to fill in the damage or shoe polish to polish the damage. Other options include using melted crayons, burn-in sticks, and toothpaste. Or you can simply replace the plank entirely.

Don’t worry if you have unsightly scratches on your floor. The rest of this article will examine how you can use repair kits or various items in your home to treat scratches on your high-gloss laminate floors.

How to Treat Scratches on High-Gloss Laminate Floors

While the glossy surface of high-gloss laminate floors can be very attractive, the shine also means that the floor is prone to showing scratches, scuffs, and marks. This is because light easily reflects off the surface of the floor, essentially highlighting any existing damage.

If you find that your floor has significant scratches, the best way to treat the damage is with laminate repair kits.

What are Laminate Repair Kits?

Laminate repair kits, such as wood putty for repairing furniture scratches, typically include either a marker, a filler pen, or a pencil and varnish. They are available in several different colors, allowing you to choose the one that best matches the color of your flooring.

Using a laminate repair kit is simple and straightforward:

1. Select a kit that matches the color of your floors. If you can’t find one that matches the shine of your floor, don’t worry—this part can be addressed later.
2. Start by filling in the scratch. If it’s a small scratch, you can use a marker to fill it in. Deeper scratches, however, require the use of a kit with a pencil or crayon. Follow the included instructions for using these tools, although most are relatively self-explanatory.
3. If your kit includes putty, use a putty knife instead to apply the putty.
4. After filling in the scratch, sand the area. You can use fine-grit sandpaper for this step. Sanding ensures that the filler is level with the flooring. Be sure to only remove the excess filler and stop before touching the surface of your laminate.
5. Wipe the laminate after sanding. Use a clean, damp cloth for this. This also helps to remove any sanding dust or excess putty that may remain.
6. If the putty does not match the shine of your laminate, apply varnish. Your repair kit should come with varnish, or you can purchase it separately. Brush a thin line of varnish over the surface of the scratch, then smooth the edges to achieve a uniform, natural-looking finish.
7. Once the varnish is dry, sand the surface until it is completely smooth.

Can You Use Repair Kits for Deep Scratches?

For deep scratches, there are also laminate repair kits available. Such kits typically include a burn-in stick or putty along with a touch-up marker. If you’re looking for recommendations, I suggest the Coconix Floor and Furniture Repair Kit.

While they are relatively similar to touch-up kits for shallower scratches, there are differences in how these kits are used. To get the most out of your repair kit when working on a deep scratch, follow these steps:

1. Open a window before using the kit. This allows for better ventilation, which is crucial when working with putty.
2. Use a cloth and acetone to thoroughly clean the scratch. Read the instructions first for any additional recommendations—if the kit specifically instructs you to use a different solvent for this step, follow those instructions instead.
3. Squeeze some putty onto a cardboard plate. Depending on the type of putty, you may need to carefully mix it with the included spatula until it starts to harden. For epoxy putty, you’ll need to mix the two ingredients according to the instructions until you achieve a uniform color.
4. Use the putty knife to scrape the putty into the scratch. Be sure to go over the scratch twice to ensure that the putty penetrates all the way to the bottom of the scratch.
5. Remove any excess putty.
6. Rub the scratch with the same cloth you used in the second step. This helps remove any remnants of putty that you couldn’t remove in the final step.
7. Allow the putty to dry. You may need to apply a second coat if you notice it shrinking as it dries.
8. Sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper. Be sure to stop sanding once the surface is smooth, so you don’t remove any laminate.
9. Touch up the color if necessary with the marker from the kit.
10. Apply varnish to the scratch. This ensures that it matches the shine of the rest of the floor.
11. Once the varnish is dry, sand the area until it is smooth again.

Other Ways to Remove Scratches from High-Gloss Laminate Floors

Laminate repair kits are handy, but it’s not always necessary to purchase one. Especially if the scratches on your floor are not very deep. Here are some other methods you can try to repair scratches on your high-gloss laminate floor using items you already have at home.

Polishing with Shoe Polish

This is a relatively simple process, and all you need is shoe polish and a clean, lint-free cloth. Simply apply shoe polish in the same color as your floor to the scratch and use the cloth to rub and polish it, just like you would when polishing a shoe.

Remember to perform gentle, circular motions. Also, be sure not to apply too much pressure to the cloth. Like with touch-up kits, you may need to add varnish and sand the area to ensure that the color of the scratch matches the rest of the floor.

Polishing with a Floor Polisher

If your floor has received multiple scratches, polishing by hand can be time-consuming. Instead, you can use a floor buffer that does the work for you. Attach a polishing pad to the polisher and use it to restore the shine of your floor.

To get rid of the scratches, use the polisher with an attached sanding screen to sand them down. However, when using this method, you’ll need to apply touch-up varnish to ensure that the color is even.

Be cautious when using a floor buffer. If you’re not careful about how much you buff, you risk sanding away the surface or damaging the rest of your floor.

Using Melted Crayons

Crayons can actually serve as a good scratch treatment for your laminate floors as a last resort. Simply melt crayons in the same color as your floor and dab them onto the scratch.

The process of using melted crayons is remarkably similar to using filler pens and putty. Just remember to wait for the crayon to cool before applying. Sand it down after applying with sandpaper and paint if necessary.

Using Burn-In Sticks

Burn-in sticks are a specialized type of laminate repair kit that needs to be applied with a hot knife. To use, simply heat the surface of the stick with a hot knife.

Once it’s warm, rub the stick into the scratch and remove any excess material. Use sandpaper to level it out and apply varnish as needed. Make sure the stick you’re using matches the color of your floor. There are several burn-in sticks available in the market, although I recommend the Mohawk Quick Fill Burn-In Stick.

Dabbing with Toothpaste

If the scratch in question is particularly shallow, you may be able to repair it with toothpaste. It’s as simple as dabbing toothpaste onto the surface of the scratch until it disappears, then removing any residue of toothpaste with water and vinegar. This method can also be used by replacing the toothpaste with WD-40.

Replacing the Plank

Sometimes, scratches are too deep to repair, and attempting to fix or conceal them will only cause further damage.

If this is the case with your floor, it’s best to simply replace the affected plank or planks. If you don’t have experience with flooring, I recommend seeking professional help in such a situation, as they can ensure that the plank is replaced without causing additional damage to the surrounding area of the flooring.

Conclusion

Scratch damage on high-gloss laminate floors may look unsightly, but it’s not necessarily the end of the world. There are several affordable remedies that allow you to either fix or hide the problem.

However, it’s important to realistically assess the damage and opt for a replacement if it cannot be repaired. This way, you’ll avoid issues on the rest of the flooring while attempting to fix a single scratch.