How to Get Rid of Dings

Dings are common on musical instruments.

Dents or "dings" in the lacquered surface of wood can be fixed. And you don't need to strip off the finish; you can simply add a small bit of lacquer to the ding a little at a time until it disappears. Dings are common in musical instruments, wood tabletops and furniture. They are caused by banging the item into something or dropping something on it. Dings usually do not damage the integrity of the finish, but they do detract from the aesthetics.

Things You'll Need

• Masking tape
• Stick
• Lacquer
• Polishing compound
• Furniture polish

Instructions

1. Place small strips of masking tape tight around the perimeter of the ding.

2. Dip a sharp stick into lacquer. Add a drop of lacquer to the ding with the stick. Wait 1 hour for the lacquer to dry.

3. Add consecutive drops of lacquer to the ding until it is full of lacquer, waiting between drops for them to dry.

4. Strip off the tape after the last drop has dried.

5. Apply a drop of polishing compound to the ding. Rub the ding with a soft cloth dipped in the compound, using a small, circular motion to make the ding completely smooth. Finish by polishing the lacquered surface with furniture polish.

Tips & Warnings

• You can purchase polishing compound at an online guitar supply catalog. Or you can use auto body polishing compound from an auto supply store.

• Don't breathe lacquer fumes. Use breathing protection if you are working in an enclosed area.