Fix a scratch in wooden furniture by cleaning it, filling if needed, matching the colour, and sealing.
FR-01Clean and assess the scratchWipe the area with a soft cloth and a little mild soapy water to remove dust, polish or wax. Let it dry fully before doing anything else. Check how deep the scratch is: a light one only marks the finish, a deeper one exposes bare wood underneath.
FR-02Choose your repair methodFor light surface scratches, a wax filler stick is enough. For deeper scratches that show bare wood, use wood filler first, then match the colour with stain afterwards. Always test any wax, stain or filler on a hidden spot first, such as the underside, to check the colour match.
FR-03Fill a light scratch with a wax stickChoose a wax filler stick as close as possible to the wood colour. Rub it firmly along the scratch, working it into the grain. Wipe off any excess with a soft cloth, then buff gently with a clean cloth to bring up the shine.
FR-04Fill a deep scratch with wood fillerPress wood filler into the scratch with a plastic scraper, slightly overfilling so it stands a little above the surface. Leave it to dry fully — check the tin, usually 15 to 30 minutes. Sand flush using 240-grit paper first, then 400-grit, always working with the grain, not across it.
FR-05Match the colourUse a wood stain pen, or a small artist's brush with wood dye, to blend the repaired area into the surrounding finish. Build the colour up gradually in thin layers rather than one heavy coat. Let each layer dry and check the match in daylight before adding more.
FR-06Seal and protect the repairApply a thin coat of furniture wax or polish over the repaired area and buff it with a clean cloth. This blends the sheen with the rest of the piece and protects the filler underneath. Repeat if the repair still looks duller or shinier than the surrounding wood.
FR-07Tidy upWipe down your tools and put unused filler, wax and stain back in sealed containers so they don't dry out. Dispose of any solvent-soaked cloths safely and away from heat sources, as they can be a fire risk. Give the whole piece a final polish so the repair blends in with the rest of the finish.
Some links may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.