I used wood putty to fill in a chip in my prefinished hardwood floor (dark colored floor - chocolate cherry). There was some putty left on the boards right around the chip and I didn't get around to taking it off until later in the day. When I rubbed it off, I noticed the boards were shiny where the putty was. I then checked all the nail holes I filled in near my baseboard and, sure enough, after taking off any excess putty, each nailhole had a shiny area around it where the putty was. Any suggestions on getting rid of this?

Lu Ellen

sometimes oil based fillers can leave a shiny grease mark around the area, mineral spirits etc' will take itt off. but its hard to say without knowing what kind of putty was used.

I used Minwax red mahogany putty. I'll try mineral spirits and let you know if that works. Thanks!

I tried mineral spirits and that didn't take the shine away. any other ideas??

Was the putty in a plastic can or a metal one? If it was in a metal one,you used a pretty aggressive,solvent-based putty. sounds to me that is what you used. It probably attacked the last coat of finish(the low gloss) I am only guessing,though. I would have to know exactly what you used.

To be honest,I am baffled. You didn't wipe the whole floor down with a harsh solvent, did you?

It is a metal can and it is Minwax red mahogany putty. No, I didn't wash the floor with anything yet.

L:

Sounds like trouble I remember doing the same thing when I was very green in this business, but I cleaned it up within 10 minutes--still showed some effects. Sounds like Chuck nailed it. Don't what to say now unless others have suggestions.

Steel wool(fine)will dull down the shiny spots but be very careful not to dull it too much. Try the wool in a closet or other out of the way place first to see what it will do to the finish. You could make it look worse if you rub too hard.
Buddy

Soft scrub might be worth a try. It contains a mild abrasive. That putty was xylene or acetone based. That is a no-no over urethane.

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some putty has a clay base that acts like a rubbing compound use a wet rag to clean it as you apply it or you will creat the shinny spots that can not be cleaned off

Take a pencil eraser and rub over the shine.