Removing Deep Scratches From a Wooden Tabletop

A deep scratch becomes a dirt collector and an eyesore on your table.

Surface scratches in your wooden tabletop are easily repaired by filling them in with furniture polish of a matching color, but deeper scratches require a different approach. If a deep scratch is detracting from the appearance of your wooden table, you can fix it through a process called patching to smooth the surface and make your tabletop look the way it did before the scratch occurred.

Things You'll Need

• Wood cleaner
• Cleaning cloths
• Old cooking pot
• Tinted wax stick
• Spoon
• Metal spatula
• Razor-edged scraper
• Shellac
• Paintbrush
• Wood finish

Instructions

1. Pour a quarter-sized amount of wood cleaner onto a clean cloth. Rub the cleaner into the wooden tabletop to remove surface dirt, dust and stains from the scratched area.

2. Wipe the table surface dry. Allow it to air-dry for 30 minutes to ensure the surface doesn't have any moisture that could make it difficult for the patching material to adhere.

3. Place an old cooking pot on the stove with the heat adjusted to the medium-low level. Drop an inch or two of the wax stick into the pot and melt it.

4. Spoon some of the melted wax into the scratched area of wood to fill the scratch. As the wax begins to solidify, spread and smooth it with a metal spatula. Leave enough wax on the scratched area so it's mounded over the scratches.

5. Smooth the wooden tabletop surface and remove any excess wax by scraping it away with a razor-edged scraper.

6. Coat the repaired area of the wood surface with one thin coat of shellac. This application prepares the repaired wood for wood finish and helps the wood finish to adhere. Allow the shellac to dry overnight.

7. Apply a light coat of wood finish to the repaired area of wood. Allow the finish to air-dry completely. Add more coats of finish, as needed, until you've achieved a uniform appearance with the surrounding areas.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover wood furniture with protective padding or blankets during moving to avoid deep or surface scratches.

• Shellac-based fillers can be used to patch a scratched wooden table in place of wax-based filler.

References

• Utah State University: Cleaning, Repairing and Reconditioning Wood Furniture
• This Old House: Fixing the Furniture Finish
• University of Kentucky: Care of Furniture Surfaces
• University of Georgia: How to Care for Your Furnishings