Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Removing Scratches from Hardwood Floors

I have hardwood floor through my home and I have a golden retreiver that has put tons of scratches in the floor. We want to sell the home soon - How do i take these scratches out? The scratches are not that deep and would think a polish would do the trick? I dont really know - Any suggestions?

How would i go about waxing? Do I need to rent something? OR should i just buff the areas? And how would i do that? Rent-a-center?

If you have a polyurethane finish floor, it should never be waxed or oiled because it will cause adhesion problems when it comes time to refinish. Your choices are to get estimates for refinishing the floors and having them refinished or give the new buyers an allowance for that amount for having floors redone.

so the only thing i can do is refinish to take small scratches out? There is no other way with a polyurethance finish?

Sanding out scratches will be required. Sorry, but there is no quick fix. Go to www.nofma.org for finishing instructions.

depends on how deep the scratches are. If they are deep scratches- into the wood at all, then only sanding and refinishing will work. If they are just surface scratches- in the top layers of finish only, then you may be able to recoat. A very light screening is done and another coat of finish applied. A pro will be able to tell if a recoat will be sufficient.

I do not have deep scratches - Just every day wear and tear - How would i go about putting a new coat on? Can i do that myself or do i have to hire someone? And where would i find someone to do that? I am in atlanta, ga

You could try doing it yourself- recoat is much more DIY friendly than a full sanding, which IMHO only a pro should do.
Rent a buffer at either a rental store or a Home Depot/Loews. Use about a 120 grit screen. These screens look just like window screening, except they come in different grits (like sandpaper) and are cut into circles to fit the buffer. There is usually a pad with it too, to hold the screen. I would advise you practice using the buffer without the screen for a bit until you get the hang of it. The key is balance, not strength. When you feel comfortable controlling it, LIGHTLY screen the whole floor. You are only looking to create a rough surface so the new finish will adhere. By "rough", I basically mean the sheen is taken off. Do not screen so deep that you remove all the finish. Then vacumn and tack the floor and apply your finish. Apply finish in same direction as flooring, with long strokes - no start/stop marks. Of course work from far wall toward your exit. Good luck!