Furniture Makeovers That Repair Damaged Wood

Believe it or not, but repairing your wood furniture is a lot like doing your makeup in the mornings. With the right products and a good eye for color, you can give your shabby, old furniture a fresh, new look.

Concealer – Cover-Up Options for Minor Repairs

The first step in your furniture makeover is to identify all the scratches and nicks that detract from its appearance. Concealing these imperfections is a simple matter of covering and filling them in. Don't let your kids see you coloring on the furniture, but here are some great mediums for minor touch-ups:

• Markers and Pens: Specialty furniture markers and scratch fix pens are most effective when used on minor scratches. Both pens and markers come in a variety of shades and thicknesses so you can apply concealer with imperceptible results.
• Wood Crayons: Furniture crayons are used on wood to conceal scratches with a little depth. They blend easily with the wood grain because they are soft and absorb slightly to maintain furniture texture. They can even be used on your hardwood flooring!

Wax – Keep Your Furniture's Surface Smooth

Unlike waxing your face, there is no pain associated with repairing your furniture using wax. Wax is a great way to fix long splits or deep gouges in wood. Wax comes in two different styles, both of which are dyed various shades to match your furniture. Your waxing options are:

• Wax Putty Bricks: Putty bricks are very malleable. They don't have to be heated before you shape them to fill in wood blemishes. They can also be covered with a touch-up marker (in case you didn't match your furniture color exactly), re-polished and lacquered.
• Beeswax Sticks: Beeswax sticks are harder than putty, so they require more work to use. They also can't be covered with a color pen or polished because they won't absorb the material. However, they are less likely to dent and scratch because they are much harder than wax putty.

Blush and Shadow – Use Paint to Revive Wood Furniture

Make sure you cover any blemishes in your wood before you repaint it. This will maintain surface texture and prevent some repairs later on. Paint is a lot like applying blush or eye shadow to your face – it isn't necessary, but a little pop of color goes a long way to making your furniture look lively and bright. Use furniture paint, and if you are repairing outdoor furniture, make sure it is weather resistant as well.

Polish – Final Touch-Ups for a Long-Lasting Shine

The final step in your furniture makeover is to touch it up with polish for a long-lasting shine. Polish is a final coat that blends your natural wood with the repair. It is also a protective layer that helps strengthen your furniture so it lasts longer and is more resilient to future damage. Here are some common top coatings for wood furniture:

• Wood Stain – Staining can be done alone or with a polish. It is useful to create an even color throughout the wood furniture, in case you had major repairs such as replacing warped chair legs. It is also effective for minor repairs, such as using a wax crayon or brick, that didn't blend perfectly.
• Polishing Wax: Polishing wax comes in a variety of styles. It can be in a liquid form (such as liquid beeswax), or solid (such as a hard wax). It is best used after sanding furniture and re-staining it.
• Quality Cleaner: For a quick shine without major work, you can also look for a high-quality wood cleaner with added polisher. This is a good choice if your repairs were minimal and your lacquer is still in good condition.

Repairing wood is a lot like giving your furniture a makeover. And when you think of it that way, the task changes from a chore to a fun adventure as you pick out the products and shades that complement each furniture piece. Should you need help along the way, consider calling places like Complete Claim Furniture Service LLC for assistance.