- 1). Vacuum the area surrounding the scratch to remove loose dust. Attach a vacuum rod to the vacuum cleaner's hose to vacuum the scratch to remove dirt and other grime from inside the scratch.
- 2). Look closely at the surface of the scratch to discern the direction of the grain pattern that has been impregnated into the laminate. Sand the scratch, starting at one end, with a fine-grit piece of sandpaper as you follow the direction of the grain. Lift the sandpaper up at the other end of the scratch.
- 3). Repeat the procedure of running the sandpaper across the scratch until the surface edges of the scratch look smooth to the eye. Vacuum it and the immediate area around it with the rod to remove loose dust that may have accumulated.
- 4). Moisten the edge of a soft cloth with mineral spirits. Rub the cloth against the scratch, following the pattern of the grain, two or three times.
- 5). Apply plastic laminate filler to the edge of a plastic putty knife. Place the edge of the plastic putty knife against the scratch and drag it across, following the pattern of the grain as you've done in previous steps. Remove the plastic putty knife once the scratch has been filled. Let the plastic laminate filler dry overnight.
- 6). Sand the surface of the scratch in the same manner as before. Stop sanding the surface when you can't distinguish the scratch from the surrounding area. Vacuum the vicinity where the scratch was with the rod to remove dust.
- 7). Apply polyurethane with a paint brush. Cover the area where the scratch was with long, even strokes. Let the polyurethane dry overnight.
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