Hey everyone! I've got a bit of a dilemma. Some guy dragged a cabinet across the wood floors in my rental, leaving some pretty nasty scratches. Since I want to avoid any issues with my landlord during the walkthrough inspection, I'm looking for advice on how to conceal these marks. I've managed to improve some part of it with a Tibetan stick, but the scratches are still pretty bad.
I'm considering using Trade Secret Scratch Remover for light wood, a Minwax Marker in Golden Oak, and Howard Restor-a-finish in golden oak. My goal is just to make it look good enough so it doesn't catch anyone's eye since the rest of the floors are already a bit worn. I've attached some photos for reference: here's how the area looks in sunlight [Photo 1](https://ibb.co/WYmQqhV) and [Photo 2](https://ibb.co/9mMS7vG8) as well as a few more [Photo 3](https://ibb.co/JRWzDkZF) [Photo 4](https://ibb.co/qMFgXBmy) [Photo 5](https://ibb.co/4ZrbZ89J). Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
For sure, steaming and then using Howard Restor-a-finish on top could help! Just remember, it’s all about making it less noticeable. You could also try using plastic wood filler first, then apply the marker, and finish off with Howard. That might give you a better chance at hiding those scratches!
I’d consider those scratches more like dents, which is actually a bit better for your situation. You might want to try steaming them out? Place a wet rag over the spot and gently pass an iron over it; that should help to reinflate the wood where it’s been compressed. But to be honest, deep dents are tricky—once the wood fibers are damaged, they might always be visible. If steaming doesn't work, just brace yourself for the possibility of losing some of your security deposit.