Professional advice on how to quickly and effectively remove scratches from furniture

Wooden furniture fits harmoniously into almost any modern interior, gives the room coziness and has a special smell.

The appearance of scratches on a countertop, cabinet door or sofa armrest is not a reason for frustration. This is a signal that it is time to act.

How to remove scratches from polished wooden furniture? Recommendations from professionals and advice from experienced housewives will help you carry out restoration work at home.

Getting rid of damage

You can get rid of traces of mechanical damage on wooden surfaces using professional products and folk recipes. They must be chosen taking into account the color, texture and capabilities of the housewife. If the furniture is expensive, it is better not to save money. There is a risk of damaging the interior item and incurring additional costs.

Wax

Furniture wax can be soft or hard. The first is used to remove shallow defects, the second is used to restore parts with serious damage. An additional plus is the color range, which allows you to restore any wooden product.

The algorithm for working with any type is identical:

1. Clean the wood.
2. Heat the material.
3. Apply to damage.
4. Leave for 15-20 minutes to dry.
5. Polish the surface.

Excess wax must be removed; it is better to use a plastic spatula for this.

This video will show you how to work with furniture wax:

Shoe polish

I don’t always use the product for its intended purpose. Housewives recommend using it to restore wooden surfaces. Shoe polish is convenient to apply with a sponge, but there is a drawback - it is difficult to choose the desired shade.

Mode of application:

• clean the wood;
• apply the product;
• let dry;
• Remove residues with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Furniture touch

This is a ready-made restoration material that is easy to use. The appearance resembles a clerical touch; you can purchase any shade in specialized construction stores and supermarkets.

Mode of application:

1. Apply the product in several layers to the damaged area using a brush until the defect is eliminated.
2. Remove excess with a hard, but not sharp, object. The edge of a plastic card will do. Polish the surface with a soft cloth or felt.

To match the color, you can use a special marker or cover the area with varnish. It is better to use the product in a spray bottle. When using a furniture touch, it is necessary to take a break between manipulations for at least 15 minutes, otherwise the layers will not dry well.

Using a stroke to restore a wooden product - in the video:

stain

Universal liquid effectively removes microdamage on wood. The composition penetrates deeply into the structure of the material, colors it, but retains its texture. The stain is applied with a brush in several layers and effectively masks surface defects.

To get the desired shade, you need to stain a small area of ​​the product that is not noticeable. After achieving a natural color, you can proceed to the restoration process.

Polish

Wood furniture polishes easily mask shallow scratches, remove stains and add shine to the surface.

The funds may be based on:

• wax;
• oils;
• silicone

Oil – fills scratches and damage, the surface becomes smooth and shiny. An excellent product for removing scuffs and scratches on wooden surfaces.

Silicone is the leader among polishes. It has a more liquid composition and performs several functions:

1. Fills voids caused by mechanical damage (scratches, chips).
2. Cleans the surface from dirt.
3. Protects the surface from moisture.
4. Has antibacterial properties.

Wax – evenly covers the surface with a protective fatty film, which is an organic antistatic agent. As a result, shallow scratches become invisible.

Walnut

Walnut masks scratches thanks to the natural dye juglone. The organic compound is present in the juice of the peel and pulp.

Widely used:

• for dyeing fabrics, especially wool,
• as ink
• in the food industry and cosmetology.

Another plus is that juglone is toxic to insects and is an effective herbicide.

Walnut fruit will help to visually hide mechanical damage on wooden furniture. To do this you need:

• split the kernel into halves;
• treat the damaged area of ​​one of the parts without using physical force;
• let the juice soak into the surface;
• remove oily shine with a soft cloth.

Don't expect instant results; the effect will become noticeable after drying. You can replace the walnut fruit with nut oil, which must be applied to a napkin and treated with the surface.

Use of special means

They are convenient, effective, but not cheap. Often there is a problem with selecting the required shade. Popular Products:

1. Colored wax pencils. Wax fills the voids, and the right shade makes the area invisible.
2. Hatch. Conveniently applied using a brush on the cap; excess must be removed.
3. Putty. Helps get rid of deep cracks and scratches. It is used only after cleansing and sanding the area.

The fastest-acting remedy is universal compositions for removing scratches from any surface, for example, Anti-Scratch.

What to do with deep scratches?

It will not be possible to disguise serious surface damage using folk remedies. For these purposes, it is better to use putty, which will make the damaged area smooth and clean. It is necessary to use only high quality wood putty.

Mode of application:

• clean the surface with fine sandpaper;
• clean and degrease damage;
• apply the material with a spatula, remove excess;
• sand with fine-grained sandpaper.

If the shade of the putty matches the main color, then painting is not required. Otherwise, you need to use stain.If necessary, the area is varnished. You can remove deep damage or chips using colored wax.

Features of removal taking into account the color and type of material

Products for dealing with defects on a wooden surface must be selected taking into account the color of the material.

From dark and light wood

Damage to dark wood (red oak, walnut) can be disguised using a budget pharmaceutical product - iodine. It is enough to moisten a sanitary stick or cotton swab in liquid and apply it to the scratch. When the product is absorbed and dries, the damaged area will look like new.

To eliminate defects on light-colored furniture, you can use paraffin, which is used to make candles. The material must be kneaded so that it becomes plastic and rubbed into the damage in a circle. Remove the remains.

With wooden

You can remove damage from wood with a homemade solution. Recipe: mix table vinegar and olive oil in a ratio of 1:3. Thoroughly rub the resulting liquid into the damaged area and rub with a dry, lint-free cloth made of natural fabric (cotton).

If the housewife is not ready to take risks, you can use the professional Scratch Cover Tableau tool.

With polished

Scratches on polishing can be removed using the methods listed above.. Wax, polishes and stains are suitable. The fastest and most cost-effective way is tea bags. It must be filled with water, kept on fire for half an hour and cooled. Treat the scratch with a concentrated decoction (locally).

The professional product Tableau Lavender Wax Polish is also suitable.Wax-based polish will cope with the problem and give the furniture shine.

Recommendations

Leading furniture manufacturers claim that it is easier to protect their products from damage in a timely manner than to restore them, and recommend:

1. Use protective accessories. This is especially true for wooden countertops. Tablecloths, cutting boards, and hot pads minimize the risk of mechanical damage.
2. Remove excess moisture. Wood can become deformed when exposed to water.
3. Use only soft sponges and rags without an abrasive layer for cleaning. They leave micro-scratches on furniture, which will become a big problem over time.
4. Choose only care products intended for this material. Compositions with aggressive and abrasive components are strictly not recommended.

If you are interested in how to remove small and deep scratches from various surfaces and objects, take a look at this chapter.

Conclusion

During transportation and use, furniture often suffers; cracks, chips, and scratches appear on the surface. There is no need to rush to replace it with a new one; unplanned expenses can negatively affect the family budget.

It’s better to take advantage of effective tips and carry out restoration work at home. If we are talking about antique furniture, you should immediately seek help from professionals.