How to remove scratches from furniture: 9 effective ways

Over time, any, even the most high-quality furniture, loses its original appearance. Scuffs, scratches and chips appear on it. However, this is not at all a reason to update the interior.

You can eliminate such defects and return furniture to its original beauty using simple improvised means.

All options for “resuscitation” are conditionally divided into two groups.

• Using special factory products.
• Using scrap materials.

Let's consider all these options for eliminating external damage to furniture surfaces in more detail.

Special means

In recent years, products specifically designed for masking scratches, chips and other minor mechanical damage have appeared in stores.

These include various marker pencils and strokes, wax compounds and stains. They are produced in a wide range of colors, so choosing the right option will not be difficult.

Pencil marker

A furniture pencil is perhaps the simplest and fastest way to eliminate shallow scratches. It is made from a wax rod tinted in various colors and has a number of advantages.

• A wide range of colors allows you to accurately select the tone of the marker.
• Ease of use. You just need to run a pencil over the scratch to paint over it.

However, this method of restoring the appearance of the surface also has a number of disadvantages.

IMPORTANT! The marker is not stable enough. Therefore, after each wet cleaning using detergents, the entire painting procedure will have to be repeated.

It is also not good enough for deep chips. Having painted over the pothole, the pencil will not be able to level the surface. It will remain rough to the touch.

Furniture touch

The furniture touch in its consistency and method of application is in many ways similar to the familiar stationery touch. It is a thick liquid, for application of which a special brush is used.

But, unlike the stationery touch, the furniture one is available in several color options: oak, walnut, alder, etc.

IMPORTANT! Unlike a pencil, a stroke can not only paint over, but also fill in deep scratches, leveling damaged surfaces.

It is also much more durable than a marker and can withstand repeated wet cleaning. After the composition applied to the scratch has dried slightly, it should be lightly sanded with a napkin to give it perfect evenness.

When using a touch-up on varnished surfaces, after applying it and drying, the restored area must be coated with a colorless varnish to give it shine. You can even use nail polish for these purposes.

Wax rods

You can also use it to repair scratches and restore abrasions on the surface of furniture. wax rods. They come in two types: hard and soft, differing in their purpose.

For shallow damage, soft wax is applied by simply rubbing it into the scratch. Deeper defects are repaired using a soft rubber or plastic spatula so as not to damage the surrounding surface. After hardening, after 15-20 minutes, the surface should be polished with a soft cloth.

Hard wax is more resistant to external influences and lasts much longer. It is intended for repairing deep chips and scratches that a soft wax rod cannot effectively handle.

Before application, the hard wax is melted, after which the pothole is filled with it. After it hardens, the bulges and sagging are carefully cut off with a sharp stationery knife, and the surface is ground and polished.

stain

Stain is a coloring substance designed to give wood a certain color and highlighting its texture.

When restoring old furniture, it is used to remove abrasions and disguise minor scratches. It should be applied over the entire surface of the furniture. Since use in one place will immediately catch the eye.

Before application, varnished furniture should be sanded with coarse sandpaper or a sander.

IMPORTANT! If you do not thoroughly clean it of old varnish, the stain will not be able to evenly saturate the wood.

After cleaning, all dust is removed with a damp cloth, and only then can you begin painting. The stain must be applied in an even layer to avoid differences in color shades. After it has dried, we treat the painted surface with wood varnish to give it its original gloss.

Folk remedies

Even in the recent past, during a period of global shortages, the funds listed above were not as widely available as they are today. Therefore, through trial and error, a number of ways to restore furniture damaged during use were found. For such folk remedies, ingredients are used that are available in any home or those that can be easily purchased at the nearest store.

Walnut

Suitable for small scratches on light-colored furniture, similar in color to walnut kernels.

You just need to rub the damaged area with a nut kernel so that its small particles fill the scratch.

Mayonnaise

Small cracks can also be eliminated with simple mayonnaise. It is suitable for unpolished wood. When exposed to fats and proteins contained in this sauce, it swells and fills minor damage.

IMPORTANT! After the mayonnaise has dried, this area must be sanded with a napkin or soft rag.

Tea leaves and iodine solution

A tea bag is brewed in a small amount of boiling water (about ¼ cup). A piece of cotton wool wrapped around a match or a cosmetic cotton swab is dipped into the resulting thick broth.

Then the scratch is carefully painted over with this piece of cotton wool.

ADVICE! Instead of tea leaves, a solution of medical iodine can be used with the same success. Both options are suitable for dark-colored wood.

Sunflower oil with vinegar

For removing minor cosmetic defects on light-colored polished A mixture of vegetable oil and table vinegar is suitable for furniture.

To do this, mix a teaspoon of vinegar essence with 50 g of any vegetable oil. Use the resulting mixture to paint the problem area of ​​the polished surface.

After a day, the treated area is polished with a soft cloth.

Homemade mastic

Mastic may also be suitable for cosmetic repairs of polished furniture. home cooked.

To do this you will need the following ingredients: wax, alcohol and turpentine. Mastic is made as follows. About 50 g of wax is melted in a metal bowl. After this, 40 g of liquid turpentine is poured into it. The mixture is thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous consistency is obtained. Then a spoonful of undiluted alcohol is poured in and mixed well.

IMPORTANT! The prepared composition is applied warm to the scratched polished surface.

The mastic is distributed over the damaged area in a thin layer. After this, it is sanded with a textile cloth until the surface acquires a glossy shine.

Using the simple methods listed above, anyone can return their damaged furniture to its original appearance. The main thing in this matter is to choose the right color scheme so that the renovated areas do not stand out against the general background.