Repairing Guides

how to repair a scratch on a wooden table

by Kieran Daugherty DVM Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The Best Ways to Fix Scratches on Wood Tables

  • Mineral oil and pumice. To rub out scratches on the surface of a wood table, make a paste with mineral oil and pumice...
  • Car polish. If you have a french-polished table, try to remove the scratch with a bit of car polish. Just be gentle so...
  • Walnut. Just with a walnut instead of a crayon.

Part of a video titled 5 Easy Ways to Fix Scratched Furniture - YouTube
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Mix three parts cooking oil and one part vinegar in a jar and give it a good shake to make sure it'sMoreMix three parts cooking oil and one part vinegar in a jar and give it a good shake to make sure it's mixed. Use a soft clean rag to rub the oil mixture over the surface of your furniture.

Full Answer

How do you remove scratches from a wood table?

The Best Ways to Fix Scratches on Wood Tables

  • Iodine. If your table is a dark wood finish, reach for the iodine, an antiseptic solution you can find at most pharmacies.
  • Mineral oil and pumice. ...
  • Car polish. ...
  • Walnut. ...
  • Tea. ...
  • Craft paint. ...
  • Instant coffee. ...
  • Vaseline. ...
  • Lemon juice. ...
  • Shoe polish. ...

More items...

How to fix a deep scratch in a wood table?

  • To avoid scratching the wood, use a plastic knife instead of a metal one.
  • Latex wood filler is similar to traditional wood putty, but it holds shape in deep scratches more efficiently. Get some online or at a home improvement store.
  • Another option is to use a similarly-colored wood stain. ...

How to remove scratches from a wooden table?

The Best Ways to Fix Scratches on Wood Tables

  • Mineral oil and pumice. To rub out scratches on the surface of a wood table, make a paste with mineral oil and pumice (in powder form, which you can grab ...
  • Car polish. If you have a french-polished table, try to remove the scratch with a bit of car polish. ...
  • Walnut. ...
  • Tea. ...
  • Craft paint. ...
  • Instant coffee. ...
  • Vaseline. ...
  • Lemon juice. ...
  • Shoe polish. ...
  • Vinegar and oil. ...

How do you get scratches out of wood cabinets?

  • Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with warm water to create a paste.
  • Use a microfiber cloth to scrub the paste over the affected area until the scuff mark disappears.
  • Wipe over the area with a damp microfiber cloth to remove any residue.

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How do you fix scratches on a wood table?

You can rub out surface scratches in your wooden furniture with a paste made of mineral oil and pumice (available in powder form at hardware and paint stores). Use extra-fine-grade steel wool to rub the mixture into the scratched area. Then wipe it off and buff with a dry cloth.

How do you repair scratched wood and Nicks?

Wipe the surface with a clean rag to remove any excess dust or dirt from the repair area. Squeeze a small amount of scratch remover onto the cloth. Be sure that the scratch remover chosen matches the wood, whether light or dark. Apply the scratch remover to the surface and buff it over the damaged area.

How do you remove scratches from varnished wood?

0:382:40How To Remove Scratches From Furniture | Salvage Hunters DIY TipsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the first stage is to color this scratch that will help disguise it a little bit we do that byMoreSo the first stage is to color this scratch that will help disguise it a little bit we do that by using a wood die which is the same color as the surface on the timber. We apply it with a rag. You can

How do you get scratches out of a table?

To rub out scratches on the surface of a wood table, make a paste with mineral oil and pumice (in powder form, which you can grab from a hardware store). Take some steel wool (ideally, extra-fine-grade so you don't damage your furniture) and rub the paste on the scratched area.

How do you fill in scratches on wood?

0:237:37How to Fix Wood Scratches | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust buff it. Off. Let's see it gives it a little bit of a sheen. Yep is that a sheen that's goingMoreJust buff it. Off. Let's see it gives it a little bit of a sheen. Yep is that a sheen that's going to stay or is that going to come down as it dries it's going to come down as it dries.

How do you get fine scratches out of wood table top?

0:203:465 Easy Ways to Fix Scratched Furniture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can use the soft nut like a walnut or a pecan. All you do is just rub the nut firmly over theMoreYou can use the soft nut like a walnut or a pecan. All you do is just rub the nut firmly over the affected area and watch it disappear.

Does vinegar and olive oil fix wood scratches?

#2 Use Homemade Polish to Camouflage Scratches Mix equal parts olive oil and vinegar, which work together to remove dirt, moisturize, and shine wood. Pour a little directly onto the scratch. Let the polish soak in for 24 hours, then wipe off. Repeat until the scratch disappears.

How do you fix scratches on a stained table?

1:033:22TIP: Fixing Scratches In Stained Wood - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if you go a little bit too dark or a little bit too light all you need to do is go back over itMoreSo if you go a little bit too dark or a little bit too light all you need to do is go back over it with a little bit more of a darker lighter color and it'll blend that color to the perfect.

Does vinegar and olive oil fix wood scratches?

#2 Use Homemade Polish to Camouflage Scratches Mix equal parts olive oil and vinegar, which work together to remove dirt, moisturize, and shine wood. Pour a little directly onto the scratch. Let the polish soak in for 24 hours, then wipe off. Repeat until the scratch disappears.

How do you get deep scratches out of wood trim?

0:332:21How to repair scratches in your moulding / walls - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNext I use some Elmer's wood filler the instructions say to need it before using. Then I applied aMoreNext I use some Elmer's wood filler the instructions say to need it before using. Then I applied a small amount to one of the scratches. And flattened it out with a scraper.

Does Murphy's oil Soap remove scratches?

And stains, marks and scratches can be removed easily from waxed floors using Murphy Oil Soap.

How do I fix my cabinets Nicks?

0:161:11Fix Cabinet Scratches, Scuffs and Dents - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSimply peel off the backing. And apply to a clean dry door or drawer at the point where it makesMoreSimply peel off the backing. And apply to a clean dry door or drawer at the point where it makes contact with the frame the touch-up marker and fill stick are matched to the finish of your cabinetry.

materials needed

If you’re more of a visual learner, I detailed the entire process of cleaning off this table on my Instagram stories! Click here to watch how it all went down!

repairing dents and gouges

Probably the most satisfying part of the process is fixing all of those little dents and gouges in your table using the 3-in-1 Repair Sticks. I love that these come in so many different colors (they’ve even got one that’s perfectly color matched to IKEA’s white furniture!), and they do such a great job of making the issues way less noticeable.

removing light scratches

Next up, I used Mohawk’s Scratch-Off to blend in and remove some of the really light scratches on the table. This isn’t meant for really deep scratches, but it’s awesome for covering up surface-level scratches and things like fingernail marks or other small blemishes.

protecting from future scratches

Finally, the last step I took was to add some Scratch & Mar Resister Polish to help make sure that the table stays protected.

How to remove scratches from a dining table?

Here are some simple steps on how to remove light scratches or areas of damage on your dining table: Most light or surface scratches can be removed by lightly sanding the area with a sanding sponge or sanding block. Make sure you always sand in the direction of the grain.

How to get rid of scratches on a table?

Rub in a circular motion over the scratched area and then finish by rubbing the cloth with the grain. Step 3 – Apply the Soaked Rag to Your Tabletop. Let the solution sit on the tabletop surface for 2 minutes. This allows the oil to soak into the scratches. Step 4 – Leave Mixture on Surface .

How to remove scratches from wood?

Light scratches can be removed by initially using fine sandpaper (180 grit) before using something lighter (240 grit) to blend in and minimise the scratches caused by the 180 grit.

Why are my scratches not disappearing?

This process can be repeated several times until the scratches disappear. If the scratches don’t seem to disappear it could be because your scratches are too deep. If your scratches are too deep then scroll down and continue reading on the next section; how to remove deeper scratches with Crayons.

What is the best way to clean scratches?

White vinegar typically consists of 5% acetic acid and 95% water. These properties not only make it an ideal cleaning solution but they also help repair minor scratches. The acetic acid will work into the existing finish around the scratch to help fill it.

How to remove stains from a table?

Here are some simple steps to ensure you remove the stains safely without damaging your table further: Set your hair dryer to medium to high temperature. Hold it around 10cm away from your tabletop and move it side to side over the stained area.

How to protect a table from heat?

Don’t place hot or cold plates or serving dishes directly on your table, instead use a placemat to protect your table. Wipe up spillages off your table as soon as you notice them.

How to Use Sandpaper to Remove Scratches From Wood Furniture

Here are some basic techniques for wood scratch repair or damaged spots on your dining table:

How to Use Crayons to Remove Scratches From Wood Furniture

Use a child’s crayon to erase scratches that are somewhat deeper and cannot be cleaned with vinegar. Here are three reasons why a crayon is an excellent tool for wood scratch repair:

How to Repair Deep Scratches in Wooden Tables

To fill in the deep scratch, use a specialized wood filler that matches the color of your table. You may massage it into the scrape with your finger, making sure there are no gaps of air.

Repairing Other Wooden Table Issues

The dining table is proven to be a versatile piece of furniture in the present atmosphere. It may be used for dining meals, as a home office desk for people who work from home, as a school classroom for the kids, or for practicing your arts and crafts abilities.

How to Get Ink Out of a Wooden Table

A dining table is an ideal location for home work and learning. However, getting ink on the surface of your dining table is a typical issue that is likely to occur.

How to Get Rid of Water Stains on a Wooden Table

Nothing sticks out more than a white water stain on a dining table. Water stains are frequently in the shape of white rings since the primary culprit is the bottom of cold glasses or hot mugs placed immediately on top of a hardwood table.

How to Keep Water Rings Off a Wooden Table

Unfortunately, if you’re reading this, you’ve probably already seen water rings on your hardwood table. Here are a few of our best suggestions for avoiding water rings on a hardwood table in the future:

How to fix scratches on a table?

Sand the edges of the scratch flat with 180-grit sandpaper. Press the sandpaper lightly against the table and move it back and forth along the grain. Avoid sanding the areas outside of the scratch. When you’re done, test the edges by touching them. Make sure they feel smooth and look level with the rest of the table.

How to repair scratches on wood?

For deep scratches and gouges, choose a filler that is the same color as the wood you wish to repair. Pick up some of the filler with a putty knife, then spread it by brushing the knife along the inside part of the scratch.

How to fill cracks in wood?

1. Rub a wax wood filler stick over the crack. These filler sticks are often sold in the shape of crayons, so essentially you get to color in the wood. Choose a color that most closely matches the wood’s shade. Continue rubbing the stick back and forth until the entire crack is filled in.

How to level wood with filler?

An easy way to level the filler material and get all the excess is with a solid edge, like a credit card. Hold the card vertically against the wood, then drag it across the scratch. Use a rag to pick up the filler. If the filler begins to dry before you clean it all up, dampen a rag with mineral spirits.

How to smooth out scratches on wood?

To do this, hold the putty knife at a 45-degree angle. While pressing it lightly against the wood, drag it across the scratch. Do this in a few different directions to smooth out the scratched area. If you don’t have a plastic putty knife available, try using a solid, blunt edge like a credit card.

How to avoid wood from scratching?

To avoid scratching the wood, use a plastic knife instead of a metal one. Latex wood filler is similar to traditional wood putty, but it holds shape in deep scratches more efficiently. Get some online or at a home improvement store. Another option is to use a similarly-colored wood stain.

Can you scratch wood with sealant?

Sometimes the scratch may look deeper than it is. If the wood has a sealant on it, the scratch may not even reach the wood.

Method 1: Walnut

The walnut method goes something like this: take a walnut, crack it in half, and rub the inside of the walnut on your scratch. Theoretically, the walnut oil both stains and expands the wood, filling the crack and blending it with the surrounding wood.

Method 2: Black Tea

I brewed a cup of black tea (and by brewed, I mean I heated some water in the microwave until it was boiling, then added a teabag.) I made it as strong as I could; the teabag sat in the hot water indefinitely, which was at least 20 minutes while I got everything ready for the experiment.

Method 3: Coffee Grounds

For the coffee ground method, I grabbed some instant coffee grounds, and mixed them with water to make a paste.

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Method 4: Iodine

This method works exactly how you’d think: take a rag, dip in in some iodine, then rub the iodine onto the scratch. Theoretically, the iodine should stain the wood, although I don’t think there’s any reason the wood would expand to fill the scratch.

Method 5: Oil and Vinegar

I’ll admit, I was really skeptical of this method. In theory, the oil expands the wood to fill the hole, while the vinegar stains it. The internet (and this article) have treated oil like some kind of magical wood expander, but honestly, the wood shrinks back down after the oil evaporates, so I’ve been a skeptic.

Final Results

Obviously, the oil and vinegar method was the clear winner. And just for the record, I tested it a couple more times on other scratches just to confirm it wasn’t a fluke, along with my 2nd place winner… the walnut!

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