• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The DIY Doctor's Blog
MENUMENU
  • DIY Doctor menu logo
  • Home
  • Projects
    • All Projects
    • Brick, Block, Marsonary and Concrete
    • Damp, Condensation, Rot and Woodworm
    • Doors, Windows and Conservatories
    • Electrical
    • Fencing, Decking, Paving and Patios
    • Floors, Walls, Ceilings and Lofts
    • Garages, Sheds and Outbuildings
    • Gardening and Landscaping
    • General Building, Self Build and Renovation
    • General Repairs and Cleaning
    • Green Living and Eco DIY
    • Ground work, Foundations and Drainage
    • Heating, Central Heating and Boilers
    • Joinery and Carpentry
    • Materials, Fixings and Fixing
    • Painting, Decorating and Finishing
    • Planning Regs, Project Management and Safety
    • Plastering, Plasterboard and Rendering
    • Plumbing
    • Roofing and Gutters
    • Tiling and Tiles
    • Tools, Appliances and Access
    • DIY Tips
  • UK DIY Forums
  • DIY Videos
    • Bathroom DIY Videos
    • Building Foundation Videos
    • Building Videos
    • Carpentry and Woodworking Videos
    • Damp and Damproofing Videos
    • Decorating Videos
    • Electrical Videos
    • Fitting Blinds Videos
    • Flooring Videos
    • Gardening Videos
    • Green and Eco Friendly Videos
    • Hand and Power Tools Videos
    • Heating and Central Heating Videos
    • Kitchen Videos
    • Plastering and Drylining Videos
    • Plumbing Videos
    • Security Videos
  • Find Tradesmen
    • Find a Tradesman
    • Contract Download
    • Working With Tradesmen - Ultimate Guide
    • Home Improver Protection
    • Price Doctor
  • Tool Store
    • Tool Store
    • Bookstore
    • Tool Reviews and Product Reviews
  • Blog
    • Blog
    • DIY Competitions
  • About us
    • About DIY Doctor
    • What we do
    • Trade Shows and Exhibitions
    • Master Classes
    • Contact Us

Home > Blog Home >  DIY and Home Improvement >  Tricks to Fix Bumps, Nicks, Discoloration or Dents in Wood

Tricks to Fix Bumps, Nicks, Discoloration or Dents in Wood

Posted on October 20, 2012 by estelle

Wooden furniture is beautiful and hardwood floors are a treasured commodity in real estate and interior design, but wood can become damaged all to easily and lose its shine over time. Whether your furniture has suffered a few scrapes and dents, or simply needs to be polished, the solution is much less complicated than you might think.

Here are some incredibly simple ways to spruce up your furniture…

 

Scratches

The cheapest and easiest DIY fix I’ve ever come across makes fixing scratched table legs so easy you’ll actually enjoy doing it. Yes, really! Simply get a walnut, rub it against the scratch and watch it disappear almost instantly.

Dents

Whether you’ve discovered a dent in your floor or your wooden garden furniture, don’t worry as it can easily be fixed. Check first that the dent is just compressed wood instead of wood that’s been chipped away, because while this technique does seem like magic, it won’t create wood out of thin air.

If you’re sure it’s simply a dent, then it’s time to get out your iron and some paper towels. Make sure the wood hasn’t been coated in a finish that will turn white when steamed by using the iron on an small patch that will be hidden from view.

Once you’ve assured yourself the heat won’t affect the furniture, simply wet the area with the dent, place the paper towel on top and move your iron in circles on top of the towel, check the area every minute or so and you’ll see a huge difference when you’re done. (Should take less than 5 minutes, but depends on the size of the dent.)

Polish

If the wax on your kitchen table has started to wear down and your table is at risk of becoming stained, then it’s time to re-polish it. All you need to do this is super fine steel wool, gloves, some rags, a cleaner and wax remover, and fine paste wax.

Wipe the entire table (or whatever other furniture you are polishing) with a cloth that has been dampened with the wax remover. Leave the piece for a few minutes to dry, and then wipe it down with a dry cloth. Next, apply the polish sparingly and leave it for 20 minutes. Use another dry cloth to rub the piece down again, removing any leftover wax.

Paint

Many people, me included, have attempted to paint a piece of wooden furniture, only to end up with brush marks or a sticky surface. After scouring the web for techniques and tips I finally stumbled upon something that worked for me, so I’ll share it with you here.

You’ll need oil paint and a lot of patience. Wet the surface and lightly sand it while it’s wet to avoid scratches, then let it dry and apply the first coat of paint. Let the paint dry overnight before repeating the wet sanding and paint again the next day; to get the best look you’ll need to add several coats.

A water-based clear finish is great if you want that extra level of sheen, just don’t use an oil based finish because it could discolour your piece.

Do you have any other tips or tricks for restoring hardwood floors or wooden furniture?

Estelle Page is an interior designer who’s always on the hunt for new ways to improve her furniture and renew old pieces rather than chuck them out to buy new ones.

 


Signup for the DIY Doctor Newsletter

<< Next Post

Planning for a kitchen extension
Planning for a kitchen extension

Previous Post >>

Energy Innovations backed by £2 million incentive
Energy Innovations backed by £2 million incentive

Primary Sidebar

DIY Doctor deal of the week

DIY Utility Kit:

Build your own work bench!

RRP Price: £49.99

Special Price: £39.95

Get it here now

See our other deals now!

Advert

Signup for our Newsletter

Keep up to date with our DIY projects, tips and latest deals

Sign Me Up!

Follow DIY Doctor

Follow DIY Doctor on Facebook
Follow DIY Doctor on Twitter
Follow DIY Doctor on YouTube
Follow DIY Doctor on Pinterest
Follow DIY Doctor on Tumblr

Blog Categories

Footer

DIY Doctor

Site Menu

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Media/Press
  • Community Work
  • DIY Projects
  • DIY Videos
  • Superstore
  • DIY Tips
  • DIY Suppliers
  • UK DIY Forum
  • DIY Webinars

Other Stuff

  • Advertise
  • Competitions
  • T and C’s
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • NHIC
  • Sitemap

DIY Doctor Social Channels

Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on Pinterest
Follow us on Tumblr

DIY Doctor are members of:

© DIY Doctor Ltd 2021 All Rights Reserved