How to Refinish Wood Furniture After Scratches

Scratches on hardwood furniture may be a real headache, especially if they appear on a piece that is very valuable to you. They may have developed over the course of several years of use, or they may have been the product of a single unlucky occurrence. In any case, the dents, wood scratches, and other forms of damage could be impossible to overlook.

If anything like this happens to the wood furniture you own, you shouldn't worry too much about it. It is possible to remove scratches from furniture and restore its previously aged, polished, and undamaged appearance using a variety of techniques. This post will provide an overview of several hacks, as well as instructions on how to implement them.

How to Refinish Wood Furniture After Scratches:

Identifying the sort of scratch present on wooden furniture, such as genuine wood dining tables, is the first stage in the process of removing scratches or scuff marks from the wood. In the event that it is a gouge, you will need to sand the surface scratches until they are level and smooth.

After you are finished, you can use a wood filler like putty to the damaged areas before repainting the item. To remove a little scratch, you can use either an abrasive pad or sandpaper with a finer grit. After you have sanded the surface, clean it by doing the following:

  •  Make use of a dry cloth that has been moistened with denatured alcohol or mineral spirits.
  •  Use a mild rubbing motion all over the surface of the wood until there are no more indications of dust or dirt.
  •  Applying a layer of clear wood finish all over the surface will preserve it from any harm that may occur in the future.

The following are some more do-it-yourself techniques that have been tried and tested, as well as proved, for your other pieces of house furniture, such as your wooden bedroom sets, tables, and chairs.

Option 1: Combine Olive Oil and Vinegar to Make a Dressing:

A wonderful method for removing scratches from wood furniture is to combine vinegar and olive oil in equal parts. To begin, you will require some olive oil and white vinegar in your preparation.

Pour the white vinegar into a container that is devoid of its contents, such as a dish or a cup. Add a little quantity of olive oil, just enough to make it appear as though the bowl has an equal amount of each of the liquids. Give the mixture an hour to settle and marinate. 

To apply this concoction to the part of your furniture that has been scratched, you need get a rag or a soft cloth. Rub lightly until there are no more deep scratches left on the surface.

Option 2: Apply Shoe Polish to the Surface:

Shoe polish may be used to remove scratches off wooden furniture, including tables, chairs, and even flooring, in your house. It has a simple application process, and it may be used on any kind of wood.

The following is a step-by-step guide that will show you how to use shoe polish to remove scratches from wood furniture:

  • Use a clean cloth and warm water to wipe down the surface of your item to clean it. Before beginning this project, be sure that it has been fully dried.
  •  Rub a tiny bit of shoe polish into the scrape using a paper towel or a soft cloth that has been soaked in shoe polish. Continue doing so until there is no trace of the scratch left.
  • Be careful not to get any polish on the parts of the object that haven't been harmed. If you don't change your approach, the situation will get worse instead of better.

Option 3: Reuse Your Empty Coffee or Tea Bags and Save the Grounds:

If you have any used tea bags or coffee grounds lying around, you may use those to rub away scratches that have been made in wooden furniture. Place a tea bag with black tea in a cup that is then filled with hot water. At the very least, let it two or three minutes to settle.

The purpose of this step is to give the water the colour of the tea that was used. It will be easier to get a good match with the colour of dark wood if you choose a hue that is darker.

Apply a little amount of the used tea bag or coffee grounds to the damaged regions and gently massage it in until the itch is gone. Using a gentle cloth, remove any surplus that may have been left. The oil that is extracted from the old tea bag or coffee grounds will assist fill in the grooves that have been created as a result of the scratches, making them less obvious.

Read some tips on how to avoid common pitfalls when working with wooden furniture on our site first before moving on to the fourth possibility.

Option Four: Repair Gouges With Wood Putty:

Wood putty can be used to repair superficial scratches that do not reach very deeply into the surface of the wood if you find yourself in this situation. You will need to utilise putty that is designed specifically for making finishing touches on wood furniture. If you want to avoid getting dirty, you should probably use a cotton swab.

Putty knives are still your best bet for applying a thin coating of wood putty to the scratched area in order to achieve the finest possible results. After that, remove any excess using a tissue or your finger, depending on which you prefer. After allowing it to cure for fifteen minutes, sand it down using sandpaper with a grain of one hundred and a hand sander.

After the scratch has been sanded down, add still another thin layer of putty on top of it, and then wait fifteen minutes for it to cure. After that, you should boost it one more. Repeat this technique as many times as necessary until the scratch is filled in. Make sure that the putty is flush with the wood surface that is surrounding it.

Option 5: Get Some Crayons and Sharpies and Draw Something:

If you are sick and tired of seeing scratches on your coffee table and other wood home objects, there is a straightforward remedy available to you. Gather some wax crayons and sharpies and get ready to draw.

The damage may be concealed and the finish on the furniture can be returned to its previous state if you colour over it. Make certain that you choose the appropriate colour schemes. You want to choose something that comes as near as possible to resembling the fundamental coloration of your furnishings. You may also attempt this approach on other kinds of wood, such as a table or a door, and it will work just as well in those situations as well.

If you find this information to be helpful, you may also find it interesting to read the blog post about wood furniture misconceptions that is available on the classicoroma website. This will make it easier for you to cope with the many elements of your home.

Let Classicoroma Handle The Bigger Issues:

If you are unable to deal with the scratches or other damage that has been done to your hardwood furniture, we will manage it for you.

At Classicoroma, we are committed to providing you with stunning pieces of furniture crafted from wood that are of the highest possible quality. We want to make your house a place that represents your individuality, and we recognize that the pieces you choose to decorate it with play a significant role in constructing this environment. Because of this, we make sure to take our time when handcrafting each individual piece of furniture using only the highest quality materials.

When you pick Classicoroma as your source of wood furniture, you will get a company that is committed to assisting you in finding the items you need for your house without causing you any unnecessary trouble or stress. You will pay a reasonable price for excellent items that have been manufactured with consideration and accuracy. 

FAQs About Removing Scratches on Wooden Furniture:

1. How can you remove scratches using lemon juice?

In order to remove scratches from a piece of accent furniture, you will need to make use of a mild abrasive. A toothbrush, toothpaste, or baking soda are all good sources of abrasives; but, you may also use a lemon. The acidity of the lemon will assist in dissolving and getting rid of the scrape.

To begin, apply a small amount of water to the region that is next to the scratched component. After that, massage the lemon over the place for around ten minutes, or until all traces of it have been removed. In the event that it dries out before you have finished rubbing it in, you may need to consider applying additional lemon juice.

2. What Can you do for More Extensive Wood Abrasions?

It is possible to smooth and sand the surface of the wood using a pumice stone if the abrasions on the wood are more significant. This eliminates any loose flakes or particles that may have been present.

You may also use mineral spirits to smooth out more severe wood abrasions and swiftly remove loose particles. Mineral spirits are available at most hardware stores.

3. What are simple ways to prevent scratches on wooden furniture?

There are a number of straightforward approaches you may take to safeguard the finish of your furniture. To begin, when cleaning your wooden goods, you should stick to using brushes with soft bristles or a towel made of microfiber.

Use a barrier as a kind of protection for your furniture if you have fur babies or young children who are prone to scratch it if they get their claws on it.

You can also preserve your wood furniture from moisture and other factors that might potentially harm the material by applying an oil finish to it. This is an additional approach. In addition to that, use wax or polish. This will maintain the surface's attractive appearance for longer lengths of time than oil alone would.

4.How do you cover up scratches on wood?

  • Use wood filler:

Wood filler is a paste-like substance that can be used to fill in scratches and other small imperfections in wood. Simply apply the filler to the scratch with a putty knife and smooth it out until it is even with the surface of the wood. Once it is dry, sand it down until it is smooth and then refinish or paint over it as needed.
  •  Use a furniture marker:

Furniture markers are pens that contain a color that is designed to match the color of your wood furniture. Simply draw over the scratch with the marker and then blend it in with a clean, dry cloth.
  • Use a wax stick:

Wax sticks are crayons that are made of a combination of wax and pigment. They can be used to cover up scratches on wood furniture by filling in the scratch and blending the color in with a clean, dry cloth.