First, I would like to thank Gary and others who responded to my previous questions.

I have begun stapling the strips this morning for the first time with Bostitch pneumatic FS. This is my very first time using the machine and took me about two hours to find a rhythem. I have several long strips with errant hits while I was going through this learning process. A few of the prefinished strips got stapled on the top face instead of on the tong side. Instead of pulling the long strips, I decided to pull the staples and repair the spots later.

This is how I pulled the staples off from the face: I drilled two holes, one on each side of the crown, and used a wire cutter to cut the staple at the mid point of the crown. I raised the remaining staples and either cut them or counter sink them.

I have four holes I need to fill for each errant hits and few scratches due to pulling. Any suggestion for repair to this prefinished strips?

I am considering Woodwise Prefinished putty? Any other suggestion? Any easy way of pulling the staples off from the prefinished wood strips? I have found it easier to cut the crown and counter sinking it with a nail set then pulling staples.

Thank you in advance.

I understand. There probably isn't an installer alive who hasn't accidentally fired a staple or cleat into the face of a floor board. Since repairing those pulled fasteners is a PITA, especially on prefinished, I most often just remove the board and replace it. Since you've chosen not to, Woodwise filler and a dab of poly is about all one can do.