I'm laying the new flooring currently. I have the foyer done (trim not applied yet) and my two-year-old managed to throw/heave/knock a heavy candlestick on to the new wood floor. Don't ask about how this happened, I wasn't there at the time.
After the nausea of seeing the damage wore off, I'm now here looking for advice on how to fix it.
I have included some pictures. It's a prefinished 3/4" oak.
Here's the two hits, each on separate boards:


Here's the smaller one:


Here's the larger one:

Thanks in advance!!!
Quinn

Because these blemishes traverse the boards, filling and touching them up will not be completely invisible. In fact, if done poorly will be even more obvious than the original nicks.
Cutiing out the affected boards and replacing them is your best option for an invisible repair.

I'd try a Bruce touch-up kit first. Sold at Home Depot now.

I was afraid you'd say replace them.
I guess I'll give a quick go at a filling, etc, but I don't expect it to work well.
My question now is, How does one get a single board out (actually two in this case)?
I know- very carefully!
Then, of course, how do I get a new one in?
Thanks!
Quinn

As I was reading your original post, I got the sense that a touch up wouldn't be appropriate for you.
Briefly, to remove the offensive board(s) you will need to make two lengthwise cuts from one end to the other near the two edges (1/4-1/2 inch) finish the bottom of the cuts at ends with a small sharp chisel taking care not to damage the abutting boards. I am making the assumption that you do not have such a device as a "FEIN" supercut or multi-master saw, so you will use a skil saw for these cuts, vacuuming as you go.
A diagonal cut across the board near mid-point, and you will be able to remove the central portion of the board, then knock the remaining two strips into this freed up centre portion and remove. The key is to take your time.
Using a replacement board, cut to exactly the proper length, (cutting the tongue end) you need to form a small bevel to match the rest of the boards on this cut end, a couple passes with fine sandpaper and some matching stain or touch up marker.
Cut the bottom of the long and short grooves off, cut on a slight angle to allow the new board to slip in place.
Apply urethane adhesive to the sub-floor, you will need to cut out the underlay paper for this to stick; push the board down into place and "weight" it down with some non-destructive heavy item until the glue has had a chance to set up......VOILA!!! invisible repair
Make sense?

I'd go buy some color matching wood filler, and a minwax stain pen. That looks easy to hide if you can mix two or 3 colors to get it perfect, and after it dries, use the minwax stain pen to recreate the graining effect.

Looking closely at the pics, it appears that the object was quite heavy, and the finish has actually fractured along the surface. This will deteriorate with time, and flake off, exposing raw wood to moisture from general maintenance on the floor. You will then have an even bigger blemish.
While I agree in principle with Austin; in this case I feel the best long term solution is to "bite the bullet" and change the boards now.

But remember, no floor is going to look pristine and new forever; especially when raising a family on them. I used to name the dents and marks my kids made on my floors as they were growing up, sorta in memory of fond times.

Look how magnified that picture is. Just a stain pen might work, until they can't stand it any longer and replace the board.

Yeah, doesn't look like it actually hit any meat, just scuffed the finish. The bruce kit comes with a couple colored pens, filler sticks and a small bottle of finish for around 20 bucks. Not sure if its gloss or matte but that would work in a pinch. Much cheaper than a 200 dollar replacement fee from an installer.

For a plank replacement I'd call on a PRO-fessional. Or read Kens page on plank replacement over at hardwoodinstaller.com.

Two year old? It's gonna happen. Can't keep that new look permanently. I like the touch up idea best.

Or ....

replace board in hardwood floor

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjyjHuvdXDs[/youtube]

That everyone. I think for now, we will continue with the filler/stain, etc. My concerned was the fracture of the top coating evident in the pictures, and I will just see how it goes, if it starts worsening, I'll take out the two boards.
FWIW, I do the Rockwell brand equivalent to the Fein Multimaster should I need it during the repair.
Again, Thanks.
Mother's Day will be laying the remainder of the dining room.
Quinn