Repairing a damaged floor finish

Q: How can I repair a patch of finish that I damaged on my light-coloured hardwood floor? I rubbed through the finish with a sponge while removing a black gooey mark left by the movers.

A: I can suggest a couple of things. The fact that you stripped the finish with just a sponge tells me that you probably don't have a film-forming finish on your floor. It's more likely to be some sort of oil or wax finish, and that's good because this is easier to repair than urethane. You've got a couple of options. If the wood of your floor is sealed only (with no stain added for colour), then I'd start with an easy to use product called Wipe-On Poly. This is a thin viscosity liquid made by Minwax. You can get it at most hardware stores. Applying several coats in the area of the damage will protect the floor and reduce the contrast between the damaged area and the rest of the floor. If your floor was originally stained a light colour before sealing, then consider a product called Howard's Restor-A-Finish (www.howardproducts.com). It's especially made for repair of wood finishes. I know from experience that it’s highly effective in situations like yours. If you can’t find an exact colour match, go with the next shade darker than the surrounding floor.