Repair of dents and scratches in wooden furniture.

Most minor damage to stained, varnished, or waxed wood furniture can be easily repaired. If you’re feeling a bit nervous, try your reanimation techniques on a piece of furniture that’s out of public view. Here are a variety of techniques to try.

scuffs and scratches

Often minor scratches and small scratches will disappear with the application of a fresh coat of furniture polish. A good quality polish will contain a mixture of beeswax, carnauba wax, oils, and turpentine. Apply the wax with very fine steel wool in all circular actions and then buff with a soft cloth in the direction of this wood grain.

Light colored scratches on furniture with darker stains can be disguised by applying a little black coffee or rubbing on a little shoe polish of the same colour. Build the color with several applications instead of trying to nail it the first time.

Scratch Fix thinks they are useful. They come in five common wood colors and look like a regular felt-tip marker, but actually contain wood stain. Just pick the right shade and color on the scratches, wiping off any excess immediately.

Another great solution for slightly more serious dents and gouges is beeswax putty sticks. They are available in a range of shades to match most wood colors, either individually or as a set to add to your repair kit. To use one, heat a spatula by dipping it into boiling water, and then use the hot blade to scrape up a small section of the stick and clean it into the damage. As the wax hardens again, scrape off any excess with the edge of a plastic scraper, then dab some furniture polish over the repair.

Teeth and depressions in the wood.

Small dents and depressions can be repaired if the grains of the wood have not been torn. Poke a series of small holes in the dent, put a drop of water in the indentation and let it soak, cover with a cloth and apply heat with an iron. Moisture will swell the wood in the tooth, so be careful when filling it in, as this excess heat can affect some wood finishes.

Significant dents and dents in the wood.

Depending on the type of finish and texture of your wood, it is possible to fill deep dents with a two-part polyester filler mix (builder’s clay), mixed with stain or rust to match the surrounding wood. Be sure to test the color on a less noticeable patch first!

Accumulation of dirt on the wood.

When an old piece of furniture looks dull or shabby, an application of orange oil will not only remove years of accumulated dirt, but it will also nourish the wood and leave the piece looking and smelling fresh.

All kinds of marks and scratches can be removed with an antique. cleaning mix such as Rotheraines Reviver, which cleans the surface and restores the previous finish in one step. Or you can make your own: one part vinegar, one part methylated spirits, one part gum turpentine, and a dash of boiled linseed oil. This concoction is flammable, so you should keep it in a safe place. Shake before and during use. The blend of mild acid and solvents dissolves damaged layers of old finishes and rejuvenates surfaces ready for a new coat of polish.