How to remove scratches from laminate at home

Laminate is a floor covering that can serve for more than 15 years faithfully. And probably during this time a large amount of scuffs and scratches may appear on it. The view will not be the same. But it is not at all necessary to re-lay the laminate from scratch in order to improve the appearance of the room. The repair can be done independently and without much effort.

How to remove scratches from laminate? It all depends on the nature of the damage. Now we will understand how to extend the beauty of your sexes, without making mistakes.

Deep scratches

Let's start with them. After all, they are the most jarring aesthetic perception. The most common way to get rid of a problem is to replace an entire board. If the laminate was covered with a locking method, then carefully remove the baseboard in the place of the wall that is closest to the damage. Remove the first board, and there you will figure out how to "snap" to the scratched one.

Put a new one in its place, then assemble the cover in the reverse order. Where can I get a non-scratched laminate board? There are two options:

1. When buying flooring buy a few boards more than you need. Suddenly a scratch will appear 10 years after operation? You can not find on sale such a color. Let lie in stock.
2. If not stocked with extra boards, you will have to "click" the locks. Remove the board from under the furniture, and in its place paste scratched. Anyway, no one sees under the sofa.

Sometimes the laminate is put on glue. In this case, an attempt to remove the scratched board may result in even more damage. Yes, not one, but several boards. What to do? Use a special compound that dissolves the adhesive base.

The matter is long, not always pleasantly smelling and somewhat costly in the material sense. Therefore, try not to bring the laminate to a state of deep scratches.

Council If the appearance of the floors is very deplorable, it makes sense to change the coating completely. Than to spend money on the replacement of boards, it is better to spend money on a new laminate, and further protect it from damage.

Minor scratches and scuffs

As a rule, after laminate flooring, people are aware of the price of the coating. Therefore, try to treat him as carefully as possible. But it’s impossible to completely avoid damage, even with all the precautions. Some types of floors can be scratched very easily. In this case, there are several ways to remove scratches from the laminate:

• wax crayons
• mastic
• putty
• repair kit

Let us consider in detail each method.

Wax crayons. The beauty of these little pencils is that they are sold everywhere. At the same time they are quite inexpensive, and their color range is wide enough to find the right shade for repairing scratches.

Using them is very simple. It is only necessary to draw small across the scratch. After the result of the repair is satisfactory, it is necessary to polish the former damage with a soft cloth. This makes it almost imperceptible if the color is matched to the tone.

Council Try waxing the entire surface of the laminate. It is a little works, but additional protection and prevention of scratches in the future will turn out.

Mastic. Its color spectrum is not so wide.It is possible that the sale does not find the desired shade. No problem. The desired color can be obtained by mixing several options. Mastic is sold in any hardware store and can be in the form of a bar or ready-made paste.

Many sellers recommend purchasing an additional special plastic spatula for applying mastic. Ostensibly without him in any way. A good marketing ploy. And in the future the tool can be useful. But, let's say in secret, the repair of scratches on the laminate can be carried out without a spatula. It is perfectly replaced by an unnecessary plastic card. Smooth edge and the necessary rigidity will do their job to restore beauty.

How to apply mastic? Absolutely all sources advise to paste over laminate around the damage with masking tape so as not to smear the excess with paste. But it dries very quickly. And while you otkovyrivat scotch, it will harden. Obtain clearly defined boundaries of putty, instead of a neat and invisible patchwork.

We recommend not to bother with pre-pasting. Carefully apply a small amount of mastic on a scratch with a spatula or a plastic card. Quickly flatten.And, until it is dry, remove the excess with a soft cloth. Simultaneously smooth the surface.

Council Wait at least 3 hours before operating the laminate. During this time, the mastic is completely dry. And nothing will remind of the former scratch.

Putty. Widely represented in hardware stores. It has a huge selection of colors and shades. Capable of repairing even deep scratches. It dries instantly. These are pluses.

Of the minuses worth noting the need to use a special melter. Because putty is sold in solid form. And the mandatory increased speed of work with accurate movements. Otherwise there will be ugly divorces and stripes.

The rest of the principle of embedding scratches is not different from working with mastic. Melt the putty, put on the damaged place. Immediately, instantly, with a spatula, level it with a single smooth movement. And immediately smooth down the surface with a zero-grain sandpaper. Do not rub, namely smooth down!

If the first time put too little putty, do not worry. Melt a little more and repeat the procedure. If you overdo it, then quickly remove the excess with a spatula.After hardening, such putty is removed only with the top layer of the laminate.

Council Laminate can be used within 10 minutes after embedding the scratch.

Repair kit. Perfect solution. Includes a putty, wax stick and spatula. The color scheme is amazing. Complete instructions on the packaging. It remains only to buy a suitable shade, read the recommendations of the manufacturer and strictly follow them. If done correctly, the former scratch will not be visible at all. Even the owners themselves will have to work hard to find a repair place.

Useful recommendations

1. Before starting any repairs, thoroughly vacuum the scratch and the surface around. Then wash with any detergent and dry thoroughly. This is done to prevent detachment of the repair layer. Even the smallest dust will prevent qualitatively apply a concealer. Within a few days, the wax or putty will quietly move away from the laminate, and the scratch will again appear in all its glory.
2. Some sources recommend that after applying any product, rub the former scratch with any colorless nail polish.This is fundamentally wrong advice, and even sabotage. Such a glossy stain will stand out brightly on the surface of the laminate. An attempt to remove a varnish with a solvent or acetone can result in much more damage than a tiny scratch.
3. If you really really want to directly varnish, then buy a special acrylic varnish for laminate. It is perfect in all respects and designed specifically for such purposes. Just do not varnish the scratch on the matte laminate. You understand the whole absurdity of such a venture.
4. Deep cracks can be sealed plaster composition. For this, dry gypsum is mixed with sawdust and water. Then put a spatula into the crack almost flush with the edges. After drying, the residue is smeared with a putty and masked on top with a wax pencil. Several movements with a soft cloth and now absolutely a laminate board, and not a canyon or ravine.
5. In order not to wrestle with how to remove scratches from the laminate, try to limit their appearance as much as possible. For example, walking in outdoor shoes or home shoes with hard heels can leave visible traces on the floor.
6. Fans of rearrangements of furniture in the room or riders on chairs with wheels have special recommendations. Felt circles are glued under the furniture legs. You can buy them or cut them yourself. And let the riders ride not on a bare laminate, but on a special mat. Felt or plastic.

How to remove scratches from laminate? As you can see, nothing is impossible. Everything is quite do-it-yourself. The most difficult thing in this business is to choose the right shade. The rest is sleight of hand. And now the laminate again as good as new.

Video: how to remove scratches on the laminate