What kind of wood filler to use on hardwood floors?

When it comes to repairing scratches, gouges, or other minor damages on hardwood floors, using the right kind of wood filler is crucial for getting great results. With so many types of wood fillers on the market, it can be tricky to know which option is best for your specific hardwood flooring needs.

What Causes Damage to Hardwood Floors?

There are a few common causes of minor scratches and dings on hardwood flooring:

• Dropped objects like glasses, dishes, tools etc. can put small dents in the floor.
• Pet nails can scratch the floor if they are untrimmed.
• Furniture legs scraping across the floor as the furniture is moved around.
• Grit and debris getting under area rugs and scratching the floor as people walk over it.
• High heels or other shoes with thin, hard soles.

While DIY repairs are possible for minor floor damage, it’s always best to hire a professional hardwood floor refinisher for any significant gouges or deep scratches that penetrate multiple layers of the wood. For small, surface level flaws, using the appropriate filler is an affordable and easy way to improve the look of your floors.

Choosing the Right Wood Filler Type

With a variety of wood filler products available, from solvent-based fillers to water-based, epoxy, and acrylic options, how do you choose what’s right for your hardwood? Here are some tips:

• Match the filler color to your floors: Choose a filler that is tinted to closely match the color of your hardwood flooring. Most brands offer fillers in a range of wood tones like oak, cherry, walnut etc.
• Consider a grain filler for open-grained woods: If your floors are made from an open-grained species like oak, ash, or chestnut, use a grain filler. The thicker formula fills the wood pores completely flush.
• Use solvent-based for deeper damage: Solvent-based fillers shrink less than water-based ones as they dry. For scratches or gouges deeper than 1/8 inch, a solvent-based filler will give you better results.
• Water-based works well for surface flaws: For minor surface scratches less than 1/8 inch deep, water-based fillers are easy to use and clean up with just water. They are non-flammable as well.
• Epoxy fillers offer durability: Two-part epoxy fillers take more effort to use properly, but create a highly durable, plastic-like repair that lasts. Good for deeper gouges in high traffic areas once cured fully.
• Acrylics fill small flaws easily: For small scratches and dust depressed nicks under 1/16 inch deep, opt for an acrylic latex wood filler. It flows into flaws smoothly and dries fast.

Prepping and Using Wood Filler on Floors

Once you have selected the right wood filler type and color for your floors, make sure to properly prepare the damaged area before applying it:

• Clean the floor area with a vacuum and damp rag to remove all dust and debris in and around the damaged spot.
• Widen and undercut crack or scratch damage slightly using a utility knife. This helps the filler adhere properly.
• Make any epoxy or two-part fillers according to the product instructions.
• Test the filler color on an inconspicuous area first if desired.

When using the wood filler, follow these steps:

1. Scoop a small amount onto a putty knife or spreader.
2. Force the filler down into the scratch, dent, or hole fully with the putty knife. Overfill it slightly.
3. Scrape off any excess, leaving it just slightly overfilled.
4. Allow to dry per the manufacturer’s directions.
5. Once dry, sand flush with the floor surface using the finest grit sandpaper, like 220-grit.
6. Vacuum immediately after sanding to remove all dust.
7. Wipe with a dry, lint-free cloth.
8. Apply appropriate floor finish per type – polyurethane, penetrating oil etc.

It is important not to leave any excess filler drying on the surface of your floors. Wipe up any accidental smears or drips promptly while wet using a damp cloth. If allowed to dry fully, it will take aggressive sanding to remove.

Choosing the Best Wood Filler Brands

With so many brands of wood fillers on the market, which are the best options for repairing hardwood floors? Some top-rated products to consider include:

Brand	Top Product	Details
Famowood	Famowood Glaze Coat Oil Base	Solvent-based oil drying formula Easy to stain and finish Works on deeper damages
Minwax	Minwax High-Performance Wood Filler	Low shrinkage Stainable Ideal for open-grained woods
Elmer’s	Elmer’s E730 Carpenter’s Wood Filler	Water-based Sandable Paintable
Bondo	Bondo Wood Filler Paste	Two-part epoxy formula Dries hard to resist sanding Fills deeper holes
DAP	DAP Plastic Wood-X All Purpose Wood Filler	Pre-mixed latex formula Won’t shrink or sag Stainable
Gorilla	Gorilla Wood Filler	Moldable, air-dry formula Stainable and paintable Easy water clean-up

As you can see, there are quality wood filler options for hardwood floors at different price points. Read reviews and talk to flooring specialists to help narrow it down. Purchase a few colors and types to test out before doing larger repairs.

Tips for Successful Wood Filler Floor Repairs

To ensure your wood filler repairs on hardwood flooring blend in seamlessly and last, follow these top tips:

• Start with a clean floor – Remove all dust, grime, oils etc. from the damaged area before applying filler for maximum adhesion.
• Use painter’s tape – Tape off the area around the damage site to create clean borders and prevent mess. Remove before drying.
• Undercut cracks & scratches – Widen and deepen the damage slightly so the filler can grab on securely as it cures.
• Apply in thin layers – Thick filler application lead to drying cracks. Do multiple thin coats for best results.
• Sand with care – Use fine 200+ grit paper and a light touch while sanding to blend repairs level. Over-sanding can damage the floor.
• Consider staining – If repairs don’t blend well color-wise, restain the entire floor for an even look.
• Refinish repairs – Apply new polyurethane or penetrating oil to the repaired areas per your floor’s finish type.
• Cure fully before traffic – Allow wood filler repairs to cure completely (1-7 days) based on product directions before walking over them.

Conclusion

Choosing the right wood filler and using it properly makes all the difference in repairing hardwood floor damages successfully. Match the filler to the type of floors you have, prep the area thoroughly first, apply thin coats, sand carefully when dry, and refinish the repairs. With some practice and the right products, you can make scratched and dinged hardwood floors look like new again.