Some other options are stain markers and blending pencils. All of these products are often available at home improvement stores. [2] X Research source
Don’t worry about spreading the filler material past the crack. It is easy to remove as long as it doesn’t have time to dry. Instead, make sure the scratch looks well-hidden.
An easy way to level the filler material and get all the excess is with a solid edge, like a credit card. Hold the card vertically against the wood, then drag it across the scratch. Use a rag to pick up the filler. If the filler begins to dry before you clean it all up, dampen a rag with mineral spirits. Make sure the rag isn’t dripping, then scrub along the wood’s grain over the excess wax.
To avoid scratching the wood, use a plastic knife instead of a metal one. Latex wood filler is similar to traditional wood putty, but it holds shape in deep scratches more efficiently. Get some online or at a home improvement store. Another option is to use a similarly-colored wood stain. Dip a rag or paint brush into the stain, then spread it along the inside of the scratch. Continue adding more until the scratch is filled. Scrape off and sand down the excess as usual.
If you don’t have a plastic putty knife available, try using a solid, blunt edge like a credit card. Hold it vertically and drag the edge across the scratch.
Use sandpaper rated 180-grit or higher for finishing. Using anything lower is likely to lead to more deep scratches for you to fix.
Remember to clean up any areas with spilled filler as well. [10] X Research source
If you don’t know what kind of sealant is on the wood, use varnish. Thin it out with 10% to 20% turpentine before adding it to the scratched area. [12] X Research source
Use only sandpaper rated 180-grit or higher. Coarse sandpaper is very abrasive and may significantly scratch up the wood.
For extra cleaning power, mix 1 teaspoon (4. 9 mL) of liquid dish detergent into some water. Any non-abrasive dish detergent works well here.
The lacquer products sold in pen form are easiest to use since you use them like regular markers. Some others are sold in a liquid form in canisters. Use a paint brush to coat the bottom of the scratch. Some alternative products are sold as color edging pens or color touch-up markers. They’re all used the same way, so focus on matching the wood’s color.
If your wood consists of a few different shades, match the paint to the lightest one. Wax paint is often sold in stick form, which melts when held over heat like a candle or lighter flame. The paint itself is often available at craft stores in addition to some home improvement stores and online. For an alternative to wax paint, try oil-based or acrylic paint.
Check the paint as you work to make sure it matches the table. Adjust it with lighter and darker shades of paint as needed to perfect it.
Also, use the paint to match any marks in the wood. Many pieces aren’t a consistent color. For example, add a little dark brown or black to complete darker streaks a lot of wood has.
For other types of sealant, including polyurethane, wait a day for the paint to dry. Then, use a rag to spread a thin, even layer of sealant over the entire scratch. Let it rest for 2 hours before adding another coat.
