Have 2 problems, would appreciate any advice! Have cats & one dog that have scratched our 2-yr. old, pre-finished 3/4 inch hardwood (Mullican, oak.) I believe it has an oxide finish. Most scratches are surface, some appear deeper. All are over large areas.

Tried Bruce refinisher/ top coat per installer's instructions. Not only did it not cover the scratches, it also appeared to finish unevenly in some small areas. I used 2 thin coats and allowed extra drying time over the product instructions, but I wonder if the finish was too thick or still damp in those areas. Now, I have scratches and these "gunky" areas. What do I do now to undo MY mess and fix, or minimize, the scratches?

Very disappointed with my installers' advice all around, as I informed them we had indoor pets and needed a durable floor. Love the wood floors, but also have to live on them. Any help is greatly appreciated!

If you want a pet proof floor, then wood is not going to meet your expections. If you had your heart set on wood, then don't blame the floor guy.

Have you looked into a vinyl floor, either sheet or plank?

You can have the floors screened and re-coated. I have pets too, you must keep the nails trimmed regularly and also file them after trimming. A pain, but necessary to do with any wood flooring.

Good luck!

Thanks, Jerry, for the useful advice of screening/recoating. I'll give it a try. Appreciate your professional opinion.

Yes, you can screen and recoat, with the best possible site applied finish(won't match mullicans finish toughness, by any means) Yet, if you don't correct the cause, you will be right back where you are, only faster.

Even if you trim nails, if they are rowdy dogs, it will get the finish.

Cabela's and Bass Pro, sell doggy booties.

The most bullet proof floor I have put down to date is the WilsonArt, wood look, high pressure laminates. Don't be fooled by the term laminate floor, most people have never seen this product or lived on it.

Solid vinyl plank flooring.

Look at:

Karndean
Amtico
Nafco
Congoleum

It is solid vinyl(not cheap felt back) It looks just like wood, and is installed in individual planks, with adhesive.

I agree, Wilsonart is some tough stuff.

Hey Floorguy - What are your thoughts on Amtico? Ever installed it / used it? I need something for my kitchen, and the wife doesn't want tile. She's voting linoleum, which I hate. She doesn't like how the grout joints make cleaning the floor a pain. I'm thinking of a stone tile look using the Amtico. As a bonus, I've got a buddy who works at the Amtico plant who can get me the stuff cheap.

Yes, I've installed Amtico a couple of times, in the wood pattern. Never a tile pattern, though.

How did you like the product?

How about Soft Paws Nail Caps for Dogs,http://www.softpaws.net/?