How to Repair a Scratch

Getting a scratch on your nice wood furniture is distressing. But, it doesn't have to mean that your beautiful piece is ruined, or that it will cost a fortune to fix. Most surface scratches on wood furniture can be fixed quickly and inexpensively.

Professional preparations are available that can cover a scratch to be almost invisible - or at least less noticeable. These liquid, crayon and marker pen preparations can be purchased at your neighborhood do-it-yourself center or hardware store.

Choose the type of preparation depending on the depth of the scratch. A liquid scratch cover or polish can be rubbed on to a scratch that goes no further than the finish (the layer of clear varnish after the item is stained or painted). These preparations can make a light scratch virtually invisible, and are available for light- or dark-colored wood. For deeper scratches that go into the stain a little, a colored wood scratch cover pen or crayon is called for. If the scratch requires a little filling in, use a crayon rather than a marker pen. Deep scratches, cracks or gouges might be more appropriate for professional furniture repair.

Clean the area with a lint-free cloth. Always test your chosen repair preparation in an inconspicuous area, to ensure the repair matches the color of the wood. You may need to combine colors to create the best color match.

Marker Pen Scratch Repair

Select a pen color that most closely matches the color of the wood. Apply the pen in the direction of the scratch, starting with the lighter color. Allow the repair to dry, then polish or wax as usual.

Crayon Scratch Repair

Find a crayon that most closely matches the color of the scratched area of the wood. Use a hair dryer to gently heat and soften the crayon. Apply the crayon in the direction of the scratch, making sure to fill in the scratch by layers. The goal here is to slightly overfill. Buff the repair to blend, allow to dry, then polish or wax as usual.

Most surface scratches can be fixed quickly and inexpensively