In this article we will consider an actual question that worries many: how to remove scratches on the laminate?
Laminate is a popular type of coating, which today can be found in almost every home. It is cheaper than parquet, while not inferior to it by external properties.
However, over time, owners often face an unpleasant discovery - in some places scratches appear on the laminate floor.
And this spoils not only the aesthetic properties of the coating, but also reduces its quality.if scratches are not removed, then in time they become deeper and this reduces the resistance of the coating to water.
Scratches appear imperceptibly, and they are caused by tiny sharp particles that get into the house on shoes.
The toys or claws of pets can also damage the covers.
In this article, you will learn how to get rid of this problem and return the coating to its original appearance. A video on the restoration of laminate will help you with this.
Scratch Removal Tools
You can cope with a problematic coating with different means.
The most radical way to troubleshoot a laminate is to replace part of the damaged coating.
However, this method has its drawbacks - finding the exact same color material is not so easy. In addition, scratches on the laminate remain quite often, and each time to do such repairs will be costly.
If the damage is small, it is better to try to cover them and make them less visible so that they do not spoil the appearance of the coating.
First, you can paint the damaged area with a wax crayon. They come in a variety of colors, so finding the right shade for your laminate will not be that difficult.
Before removing a scratch, you must thoroughly clean the surface, remove any dust or debris accumulated on the laminate. It is best to do this with a vacuum cleaner, and then wipe the place with a dry rag.
After this, it is necessary to cover the place of damage with chalk, moving the chalk along the scratch.
You will see that it will quickly paint over, but in its place will remain an explicit print of the chalk, which also needs to be removed and made invisible.
To do this, treat the damage with a cloth, but do not rub too hard, otherwise wipe off the chalk, and the scratch on the parquet will be visible again.
This method is suitable only for shallow damages, but if the deformation is more obvious, it is better to carry out repairs using a special paste - it is produced in the form of briquettes or in a viscous consistency.
Just like the chalk, the paste should be chosen for the color of the laminate. It is better to take a part of the floor covering with you to the store - there you can attach a paste to it and see how well they combine.
Most often, to cover the scratch, you need a few pastes of different shades, but in some cases you can get by on one.
As well as when working with chalk, the surface of the laminate must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dust and make sure that it is dry.
To remove a scratch, use a special stack of plastic or metal. First, the material is applied to it, and then evenly on the laminate, observing the direction of the fibers of the material.
After the procedure is completed, treat the sponge with a sponge - it will remove any residual material and protect the surface from new damage.
If you have chosen a paste of liquid consistency, then as a means of application, use a spatula instead of a stack - they need to level the material, and slightly press on the place where the scratch runs - the surface should be even.
At the end, it is necessary to wipe the scratch site with a slightly dampened sponge or rag and leave to dry for a couple of hours. After that, you can start using the laminate again.
Putty - another tool that can get rid of dents and minor scratches on the floor.
It is also possible to pick up the color, although the choice will be more limited than if you use the paste.
Repair of damaged coating is possible only with the help of a molten mixture, so first you need to warm it up with a special high-melter - it can be gas or battery.
The molten mixture is applied in the same way as the paste, but the excess part of the putty should be removed immediately, until it is frozen, otherwise you will get an uneven floor.
When the mixture cools, the place of the coating should be ground.
Putty best will help repair the coating and eliminate even large scratches, it is most often used to repair wooden coatings.
If the scratch is too deep and wide, has developed into a crack or chipped, you can not try to fix it - you have to change the coating.
Well, if your laminate has a lock connection - in this case, you can change only one board, and repairs will be cheaper than if you remove the entire cover.
Video:
Laminate Operating Rules If you use the simple rules for operating the laminate from the very beginning, the risk of cracking can be avoided, or at least significantly reduced.
The simplest thing you can do is cover the surface with a carpet.
You can lay a small rug in the corridor, where the biggest risk of damage brought from the street by particles, and also buy a carpet in the nursery, tk.toys - one of the most common reasons for the appearance of scratches on the laminate.
Another common reason is the constant movement of furniture, so it's best to protect the surface from this.
It makes sense to lay a mat if you use a computer chair or a coffee table on wheels.
On larger furniture, you can paste special stickers and tips that will not allow the furniture legs to scratch the surface.
This applies to items that move infrequently, but very massive objects( cabinets, sofas, tables, etc.) can change the surface considerably if the situation changes.
No less important is the constant care of the coating, cleaning it from the emerging dirt, dust and sand - the main enemy of the laminate.
A mat at the door will greatly help you avoid the appearance of sand throughout the apartment. Do not forget to vacuum or at least sweep the surface at least 3-4 times a week.
If you have a steam cleaner in your house, do not rush to apply it to the laminate without first knowing its type.
If this coating class 32,33,34, then you can use the steam cleaner, becausethis coating is water resistant.
However, when processing, you should still not give a continuous stream of steam - it is better to use the pulse method, pressing the button of the machine intermittently to make the steam uneven.
But washing is not worth it. Laminate is a waterproof coating, but if it is too much, it is likely that it will fall on the joints of the laminate and eventually zate for it.
This will significantly shorten its service life, and in some cases also deform the coating.
Wipe the laminate with a wet cloth just a couple of times a week, and you do not need to use a vacuum cleaner on this surface.
So that after washing the floor on the laminate there are no stains left, wipe the surface along the plates, not across, and also change the water more often.
You can make the laminate glisten with vinegar or lemon juice - add them to the water when you are ready to wash the cover. Laminate does not hurt, but it will improve its appearance.
You can also "polish" the surface with felt slippers - they will rub the laminate when you move around the house.
If there are stains on the laminate, it is better to get rid of them as quickly as possible. This can be done with the help of a tool for washing windows with alcohol.
This will help remove the "difficult" spots - for example, from a felt pen or ink.
Dried stains are removed with a scraper, but very carefully, so as not to damage the surface, and liquid stains from water or dirt brought from the street, it is better to first absorb the sponge, and then wipe the surface with a dry rag.
These simple care products will prevent, or at least delay, the possible repair of the coating. If there are small scratches on the laminate - remove them immediately.
You should not postpone the repair, because otherwise the scratches will grow into cracks, and it will be impossible to repair the coating.
