How to Cover Scratches in Dark Pine Furniture

Wood furniture can get scratched no matter how careful you are. Pets jump on furniture, kids drop toys on it, and rough-edged objects get moved across the surface. Pine tends to scratch easily because it's a soft wood, and even small scratches in dark pine furniture can be very obvious. Using doilies and table runners to disguise the problem is not always practical. Fortunately, there are many different ways to cover scratches in wood furniture.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soft cloth
• Mild liquid soap or oil soap for wood
• Paste wax
• Petroleum jelly
• Linseed oil
• Blended varnish and oil product
• Dark eyebrow make-up pencil
• Instant coffee granules
• Artist's brush
• Oil-based stain
• Commercial touch-up product

1. Clean the scratches with a soft, clean cloth and mild soap, such as dish detergent or oil soap for wood. Wipe away any tiny, loose pieces of wood from the scratches.

2. Rub paste wax, petroleum jelly, linseed oil or a blended oil and varnish product into a minor scratch. This may be enough to hide the scratch.

3. Purchase a dark eyebrow make-up pencil that matches your pine furniture, and carefully color the scratches with the pencil.

4. Make an instant coffee paste to cover the scratch. Add 1 tsp. instant coffee granules to a small amount of water, just enough to form the paste. Work the paste into the scratches with a clean cloth or artist's brush.

5. Use an artist's brush to paint the scratch with an oil-based stain that matches the wood.

6. Purchase a commercial wood scratch cover and polish, touch-up marker or stain marker, available in different formulas for dark wood. These are available at many different stores and online.

References

• This Old House: Fix Superficial Furniture Damage
• Cleaning Wood Furniture