How to Hide Scratches in Stained Wood

Hiding scratches in stained wood is easier than having to refinish the whole surface.

Stained wood surfaces, especially tables and floors, can get scratched easily. When the scratch goes past the layer of stain on the surface of the wood, the lighter wood underneath shows, making the damage obvious. The best way to hide such stains is to disguise them by darkening the scratched area, then buffing it well so that it blends in with the rest of the surface.

Things You'll Need

• Walnuts
• Brazil nuts
• Soft, dry cloth
• Stain pen
• 00 size steel wool
• Paste wax

Instructions

Light Scratches

1. Crack open a walnut or a Brazil nut. These nuts contain natural oils that can help to restore your wood to its original appearance.

2. Rub the nutmeat along the scratch. Rub in the direction of the grain of the wood, not across it.

3. Buff the area with a soft, dry cloth. If the scratch matches the rest of the wood, you're done. If not, continue the process of rubbing the wood with the nutmeat, then buffing to check the results until the scratch is blended in with the rest of the wood.

Medium Scratches

1. Get a stain pen in a color that matches the scratched item. These pens are available in paint stores, discount stores and home supply centers. They come in colors to match virtually any wood.

2. Rub the scratched area lightly with the steel wool. This will remove the finish in the area you want to restain.

3. Color in the scratch with the stain pen. Apply the stain by drawing a line in the scratched area. Fill the scratch so that the color blends in with the rest of the surface. Let the stain dry completely.

4. Apply wax to the scratched area. Rub gently, using a circular motion. Remove any excess wax and buff the area until the finish in that part matches the undamaged areas.

Tips & Warnings

• Use iodine to fill in scratches on wood with a mahogany finish. For other surfaces, a crayon will work to hide a scratch if you match the color carefully.

• For large scratches or extensive areas of damage that cannot be hidden, you must refinish the surface. Completely sand the area smooth and remove the previous stain, apply a new coat of stain and then seal the surface with polyurethane or another suitable sealant.

• Using a color that is too dark for the surface can end up making the scratch look like a line drawn with a marking pen. It is better to use a lighter color than one that is too dark.

References

• "Good Housekeeping"; Quick and Easy Fixes for Damaged Wood; Carolyn Forte
• Overstock.com; How to Remove Scratches From a Wooden Table; G.K. Bayne