Putty for Refinishing Bamboo Floors

Preparing

• Putty can't be applied to a finished floor. Before you can repair any damage with wood putty, you have to strip the floor. As with most wood flooring, bamboo floors must be sanded. An orbital sander is ideal for the job because the pad moves with any contours the floor might have -- this leaves you with a uniformly even surface. Two passes are needed to sand a floor. One pass must be made with a medium grade sanding pad to strip the finish and the second with a fine grade pad to smooth the wood.

Cleaning

• Sanding the floor will reduce some of the damage you will be trying to cover up with the putty later. However, you will have to clean up all of the dust left from the sander. The dust will interfere with the putty bonding to the wood, but it will also get trapped in the finish when you stain and seal the wood. A broom or vacuum is sufficient to get the bulk of the dust, but a damp rag is best for picking up the finer particles.

Picking a Putty

• With the floor sanded and clean, you're ready to apply the wood putty. There are many types of wood putty, each designed to match the various types of wood, including bamboo. When looking for putty, bring a photo of your stripped floor to the hardware or home improvement store so you can compare your floor to the colors of putty they have available. If you can't find a close match, consult one of the store clerks to see whether they can order something that better matches your floor.

Filling in the Cracks

• Filling in dents, cracks and deep scratches with wood putty is a simple task. Scan the floor for damage. During the sanding process, you might have gotten rid of some of the minor damage, so some of your work might already be done. Look for deep scratches, dents and cracks. Scoop out a small amount of putty with a putty knife, then drag the putty over the damaged area. As with staining, you must always go with the grain when applying putty. Scrape up as much excess putty as you can.

Drying and Sanding

• Drying time varies by product, so consult the label for information from the manufacturer. Once the putty is completely dry, you will need to sand it down until it is flush with the rest of the floor. This is best done by hand with a medium grade sandpaper. When the putty is flush with the floor, rub your hand over it. If it feels rough, buff it with a piece of fine grade sandpaper until it feels as smooth as the rest of the floor. Wipe up any dust before you stain and seal the floor.