How to Camouflage a Dog-Scratched Door

Has Scooter redefined the term doggy door in your home? Then take a look at this camouflage fix for pet scratches on wood doors. It won't look exactly like new, but it'll be doggone close.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Matching Stain Or Paint
• Paintbrush
• Plastic Sheet Or Old Towel
• 120- And 220-grit Sandpaper

1. Lay a plastic sheet or an old towel under the door and on the surrounding floor area.

2. Holding the door with one hand, lightly sand away the scratches with the other hand. For deep scratches, start with medium-coarse (120-grit) sandpaper and work your way to fine (220-grit) sandpaper. For light scratches, just use fine (220-grit) sandpaper.

3. Apply a light coat of matching door stain or paint using a paintbrush, taking care to blend the newly finished area with the existing surface color. Apply sparingly to avoid paint or stain drips.

4. Wait 30 minutes or until the door is no longer tacky to the touch.

5. Reapply the stain or paint. Keep the door open until fully dry.

6. If you stained the door, apply a clear finish to protect it.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring home a color chart from a home-improvement store to match the paint or stain color before buying it.
• Always apply paint or stain in a well-ventilated area.

on 11/22/2005 Rub a walnut over the scratch and it blends right into the wood.

on 11/22/2005 Use old-fashioned shoe polish. Choose a shade that closely resembles the wood stain and apply liberally, using a lint-free rag. Wipe off any excess. The polish will fill the scratches, blend with the color, and polish and protect the wood. It even helps repel water. This can be repeated as necessary.