Best Wood Floor Scratch Repair Kits: 2025 Expert Review
DR Joinery
Expert Joiner & Bespoke Fittings Specialist
Scratches on a wooden floor are inevitable. Whether it is a stone trapped in a shoe, a dog's claws, or dragging a dining chair, timber flooring eventually shows signs of life. In my trade, I often get called to refinish entire floors, but occasionally, a localized repair is all that is needed.
The market is flooded with 'miracle' repair kits, but the reality is that wood is a natural material that expands and contracts. Many cheap fillers crack or pop out within months. In York's older properties, where floors often have movement, you need a solution that bonds well and matches the grain.
In this review, I'll compare three types of repair kits I've encountered: a budget putty for quick fills, a professional hard-wax melt system for durable repairs, and a marker set for surface colour correction.
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Specs vs. The Real World
The Spec: "Invisible Repair Claims"
"Marketing usually claims the repair will be 'invisible' once dry."
Unless you are an artist with a graining pen, patches are rarely 100% invisible. The goal is to make them unnoticeable from standing height, not under a magnifying glass.
The Spec: "Universal 'Wood' Colours"
"One tube of 'Oak' filler fits all Oak floors."
Timber varies wildly. An old Victorian Oak board is very different from modern European Oak. You nearly always need to mix colours to match the specific tone of your floor.
My Top 3 Recommendations
Three options to cover different needs and budgets
Laminate Floor Repair Kit, Wood Putty, Wood Filler Oak
AiDeHuaKeJi
This is a straightforward, no-nonsense filler option. It is ideal for the modern grey laminate floors we see often in newer York apartments or renovations. It is a soft putty, so it's easy to work with but lacks the structural strength of hard wax.
The Good
- Extremely affordable
- No tools or heat required for application
- Specific grey tones suit modern grey laminate/wood trends
The Bad
- Soft fillers can shrink slightly when drying
- Not durable enough for high-traffic areas or deep structural gouges
- Limited colour palette (focused on greys)
Installer Tip:
Putty shrinks. When filling a scratch, leave the filler slightly proud (raised) above the surface. Let it dry for 48 hours, then gently smooth it flush. If you wipe it flush whilst wet, it will dry to a concave dip.
Priced at £3.99 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonLaminate Floor Repair Kit, Hardwood Floor Wax Repair Kit
XFCA
This is the closest DIY equivalent to the kits we use in the trade. It uses hard wax which must be melted into the damage. Once it hardens, it becomes part of the floor surface and is far more durable than soft putty. The heated pen makes application fairly simple.
The Good
- Hard wax is significantly more durable than putty
- Includes a heated pen (better than using a lighter)
- Huge range of colours allows for accurate grain matching
The Bad
- Requires more patience and skill to apply
- More expensive initial outlay
- You must be careful with the hot tool on delicate finishes
Installer Tip:
Don't just use one colour. Melt a lighter base colour into the hole first, then streak in a darker colour to mimic the wood grain. This breaks up the solid block of colour and makes the repair far less visible to the eye.
Priced at £22.96 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonACWOO Furniture Repair Kit Wood Markers Wax Sticks
ACWOO
If you have light surface scuffs—like the white marks left by a dragged sneaker or a light pet scratch—you don't need filler. These markers dye the exposed wood fibres back to the correct colour. It's a purely cosmetic fix, but highly effective for shallow damage.
The Good
- Instant fix for surface discoloration
- No mess, no heating, no drying time
- Includes sharpener for the wax crayons
The Bad
- Does not fill holes/dents (provides colour only)
- Markers can darken exposed raw wood too much if not careful
- Soft wax crayons are not durable for floor traffic
Installer Tip:
Start with a lighter shade than you think you need. Wood absorbs the marker ink and often darkens. You can always go darker, but you cannot go lighter once the ink is in the grain. Wipe with a cloth immediately after applying to blend the edges.
Priced at £6.99 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Can I use these kits on solid oak floors?
What is the difference between wood putty and hard wax?
Will these kits fix deep gouges?
Do I need to sand the floor after using these?
How do I match the colour correctly?
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