How to Repair Nicked Edges on a Table

If you have a solid wooden table that has a nick on the edge, it's easy to repair. Many times people have furniture that is slightly damaged, and they tuck it away in an attic or garage or even throw it away. A nick on the table's edge can be upsetting, but with a little wood putty, the table can look new again.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Damaged table
• Wood putty
• Putty knife or spatula
• Scrap wood
• Wax crayon or paraffin
• 2 edge clamps or C-clamps
• wood wedges for C-clamps
• Stain
• Thinned varnish

1. Rub a wax crayon or paraffin onto a scrap of wood that is long enough to span the area of the damaged edge. The waxed wood will keep the putty from sticking to this scrap wood.

2. Clamp the waxed scrap wood to the edge of the table with edge clamps. If you don't have edge clamps, you can use C-clamps with wood wedges to achieve the same results.

3. Spread putty into the nick on the edge of the table with a putty knife or a spatula. Build up the putty in layers if the nick is longer or deeper than 1/4 inch. Make sure you allow plenty of time for each layer of putty to dry.

4. Overfill the nicked area with putty to allow for shrinkage as it dries.

5. Remove the scrap wood once the putty is dry.

6. Sand the putty smooth and flush with the surface of the table.

7. Apply stain to the putty using a soft cloth, if it is needed. Seal the putty with a topcoat of thin varnish.

Tips & Warnings

• Wood putty is available in dozens of colors. It may be possible to find an exact, or very close, match to your table.

Resources

• View this website for wooden furniture repair tips.