The appearance of scratches on furniture is an integral part of the operation of any headset. To restore an attractive appearance, they use improvised and special means, which together give a good result. Each type of furniture has its own tricks, knowing which you can not only return an attractive look to your table or cabinet, but also save your family budget.
Why are scratches dangerous?
There are many reasons in everyday life that cause the formation of scratches. Deep and superficial, large and small, chips and dents, all of them negatively affect the condition of the furniture. And the point is not even a deterioration in appearance, but rather a reduction in the service life.
A scratch is damage to the surface layer, which quickly renders the furniture unusable. If we talk about inexpensive interior elements, the slightest damage to the protective layer provokes the release of harmful toxic substances into the air of the living space.
Moisture quickly penetrates into the recesses on the surface, lingers there and provokes a change in the strength and integrity of the furniture. Therefore, it is important to promptly remove all damage in order to preserve and increase the service life of the headset.
The best remedies for scratches on polished furniture
Many will say that polished furniture is a thing of the past. But lovers of vintage interiors often have to deal with scratches that arise from careless use. The risk group includes the surfaces of coffee tables, cabinet doors and chests of drawers.
The simplest but most effective ways to make a scratch less noticeable are:
Petrolatum
This product copes well with surface scratches, effectively smoothes the edges of the damage and makes it almost invisible. The product is applied directly to the surface, allowed to absorb well, and then rubbed with a soft cloth.
Grouting with furniture polish
The product is applied in a thick layer directly to the damaged area, allowed to stand for several minutes, then rubbed with a soft cloth. If the scratch is deep enough, you can polish its edges using tooth powder.
Paraffin candle
This option is ideal for wide and deep lesions. A small amount of wax is heated in a water bath, after which the liquid product is poured directly onto the scratch using a teaspoon. Allow to cool completely. Using a blade, carefully clean the surface and treat the top with polish or vegetable oil.
Nut butter
Ideal for masking damage on dark furniture. The dried nut core is ground into powder and then carefully poured into the scratch. Press down on top with a cotton pad and begin to clean with circular movements. After a few minutes, the scratch darkens significantly and becomes invisible.
Iodine
Take a few drops of iodine with a cotton swab and apply scratches to the surface, without going beyond its edges. If it is very thin, you can use a toothpick. The product is ideal for dark-colored furniture.
Olive oil
Apply a few drops of oil to a cotton swab, then apply it to the scratch and begin to rub it in with soft circular movements for several minutes. You can use regular polish on top.
If there are chips on polished furniture, it is recommended to contact a specialist. If the scratch is not repaired in a timely manner, it may well cause the top layer to peel off, which will be almost impossible to stop.
Expert opinion Dmitry Vasilievich Kokovin Furniture restorer Dealing with scratches on polished furniture is extremely difficult, so it is recommended to use protective napkins, tablecloths and rubberized backings that minimize the risk of damage.
Restoring the appearance of products made from other materials
Leather products are restored using beeswax or specialized wax. If the color is suitable, the scratches are masked with nail polish.
The same result can be obtained after treating leather upholstery with vegetable oil.
Plastic surfaces are softened with a powerful hair dryer. The procedure is performed carefully so as not to deform the product.
Electrically driven tools are used to grind durable metal.
Such products are processed with a consistent reduction in the grain size of the abrasive material. At certain stages you can apply the “GOI” post. If the technological operations are carried out with high quality, you will get a perfectly smooth mirror surface.
Removing scratches from wooden furniture
One of the most durable materials is wood, but during use it can get scratches. If they are not removed, there is a risk of wood rotting, which reduces the service life of the furniture several times.
Simple and effective methods for eliminating damage to a wooden surface are:
stain
The product can be applied pointwise to the damage, and then completely cover the surface of the furniture. The variety of choices will allow you to choose the right shade.
Putty
Used on areas with deep scratches. It is applied pointwise to the damage and rubbed with a special soft spatula.
WaxTurpentineAlcohol
Mastic made of wax and turpentine. Heat 2 tablespoons of wax in a water bath, add 30 g of turpentine and 10 g of alcohol. Apply to the scratch in a circular motion. The excess is carefully cleaned off after the mass has hardened.
LemonSunflower oil
A piece of zest is moistened in oil and rubbed into the desired area with soft circular movements. Ideal for all types of furniture.
SawdustPVA glue
Small sawdust (fuel pellets can be used) are mixed in equal proportions with PVA glue, after which scratches are applied to the surface. Excess is carefully removed. After drying, the surface is sanded with sandpaper and, if necessary, varnished. In this way, you can repair not only deep scratches, but also serious chips at the corners.
If wooden furniture is very worn out, and scratches literally appear in relief, ordinary oil paint will come to the rescue. All irregularities are sanded, rubbed with a special wood putty, after which painting is carried out. This will protect the wood from damage and renew the interior.
How to hide deep cracks
Very noticeable damage to furniture cannot be easily hidden with improvised means. To restore the original appearance and restoration requires a comprehensive approach to solving the problem.
Preparing the site
Before starting work, you need to thoroughly clean the surface of the furniture from dust and dirt. The cleaned area is coated with a degreasing agent and allowed to dry. Also at the preparation stage, you need to decide what material will be used to hide defects.
Applying the material
The purchased material is applied with a suitable tool or cotton pad to the damaged area. When applying, try to ensure uniformity. Excess material is carefully removed with a spatula.
Grouting the surface
After treating the scratched areas, you need to wipe the surface. During this procedure, the furniture coating becomes smoother and more even. As a rule, fine-grained sandpaper is used for grouting.
Painting
A layer of paint is applied on top of the applied masking material, which matches the color of the rest of the furniture. Paint not only visually hides defects, but also provides additional protection against new damage.
Leather furniture and scratches: the best remedies
Scratches from pets and the use of sharp objects can cause serious damage. And while small and shallow cuts can still be dealt with, complete damage to the leather fabric dictates the need to apply a decorative patch or replace the entire section of furniture.
Banana peel Olive oil
Banana peels and olive oil help mask scratches on light-colored furniture. Apply a few drops of vegetable fat to the inside of the skin and treat the damage with soft circular movements. Leave until completely absorbed, then polish with a dry soft cloth.
Strong black tea and coffee will help scratches on a black and brown sofa. They are brewed in equal proportions, after which they are applied to the damaged areas with a thin brush. Excess moisture must be removed.
Markers have proven themselves well; they not only help to even out the color and make the scratch invisible, but also fill in its structure.
Brewing black tea
An infusion of ordinary black tea can also remove scratches on a polished wooden surface.
Another proven, handy method for restoring wooden furniture is tea leaves. It is only suitable for shallow, small damage. It will not be possible to mask a large crack using welding. For work, you should choose strong black tea without additives. The tea bag needs to be brewed with boiling water. The liquid must be infused for twenty minutes in order to acquire a rich color. Then it should be applied to a cotton pad, then to the furniture itself. This method is suitable for dark-colored structures. However, you can try to restore light-colored products by adjusting the color of the liquid when infused.
Brew a tea bag in 30 ml of boiling water, let it brew, moisten a cotton swab and wipe the scratch
Universal products for all types of furniture
The following recipes have worked well:
Ground coffee Olive oil
The coffee is ground as finely as possible and mixed with olive oil until a soft paste is formed. Apply to the damage and leave for several hours. Using a soft cloth, polish the surface, removing any remaining product. Can be used to remove scratches on leather furniture.
Toothpaste
Ideal for scratches on white furniture. A small portion of the product is applied to the damage and, using a sponge, gently rubbed over the surface. Leave for several hours. Residues are removed with a damp cloth.
Oil based eyebrow pencil
You can choose any color to match the shade of the furniture. A pencil is carefully drawn over the scratch, which allows you to even out the color and texture.
Tea brewing
Natural black tea is brewed with boiling water, after which a cotton pad is generously moistened and applied to the scratch site. Allow to soak for several minutes, remove excess moisture with a napkin.
Cigarette ash
Carefully collect the ashes and add a few drops of water to obtain a soft plastic mass. Using a silicone spatula, apply ash to the scratch, gently rubbing it in.
Fish fat
The capsule is carefully opened and the oily liquid is applied to the scratch. Leave it for a day. Polish the top with a woolen rag. Not recommended for use on PVC furniture.
Expert opinion Dmitry Vasilievich Kokovin Furniture restorer Naturally, such products will not help completely get rid of scratches on furniture, but you can make the defect less noticeable without much effort.
Special anti-scratch products
The following specially developed products effectively cope with the problem of scratches:
- Wax pencils for furniture . You can choose any shade that will not only mask the scratch, but also completely even out its surface. This tool is very simple to use; no special skills are required.
- Furniture touch . The product is similar to the previous one, but has a convenient thin brush, with which the product fits well on any surface.
- Wax . It has a soft and plastic shape, easy to apply to damaged areas. It sets quickly on a wooden surface.
- Furniture paint markers . They contain a dye that fills the depth of the scratch and makes it invisible.
For deep damage to furniture, the only option is to use a putty mixture. It helps to restore the integrity of the coating, and can also be painted and varnished.
Pencil "Archimedes"
.
It has many shades, which greatly simplifies the choice. The composition contains natural wax, which fills scratches and smoothes the surface of furniture. Before use, it is recommended to wipe the existing damage with a soft cloth to smooth the edges and remove roughness. Open the pencil and run it forcefully over the scratch. Excess should be removed with a soft cloth.
If this product is used in the restoration of wooden or lacquered furniture, then a special solution of stain or paint will need to be applied on top, which will create a protective layer for the wood.
Wood wax "White house"
.
It is produced in the form of a relatively soft and plastic mass, which is cut with a knife or blade and placed in the scratch. If the damage is shallow, then it is enough to rub the product over the surface several times, and remove the excess using a rag with polish.
Wax is ideal for repairing large chips. It can be varnished and painted, and also polished with special means.
Furniture touch "Master City"
.
The base contains an alcohol stain, which, when placed in a recess, quickly evens out the surface and color. Suitable for all types of wooden furniture. The selection of colors is carried out according to the catalog. It is important to study the instructions first, as some surfaces are pre-degreased.
Liquid leather “Colourlock”
.
The product has a multi-component composition, which, when applied to leather furniture, helps smooth out even the deepest scratches. There are no difficulties in application, but there may be an unpleasant odor, so there should be good ventilation in the room.
Types of furniture wax
The appearance of small defects is not a reason to change the furniture. Furniture wax will do an excellent job of masking imperfections on laminate, wood, varnished and polished solid surfaces. This restorative material can be liquid, hard or soft.
Wood wax can be hard, liquid or soft. Soft is used to restore light and dark surfaces with minor defects.
Soft types of wax are used to combat minor defects. Solid copes with more serious errors. It is thicker and denser, which allows it to fill and mask voids more effectively. Hard wax has better protective properties (after hardening), but needs to be warmed up before use.
Hard wax is thicker and denser, but requires preheating.
Soft wax restoration materials should not be used to restore surfaces exposed to intense exposure to aggressive chemicals and ultraviolet radiation.
Restoration with soft wax materials is appropriate only for furniture that is not exposed to aggressive environmental influences.
General tips and tricks
Preventing scratches from occurring is much easier than dealing with them later. Deep damage further increases the risk of chips, which will render the furniture unusable.
What products do you use to remove scratches from furniture? Special helpers
Therefore, the following rules must be observed:
- Do not use sharp objects to clean heavily soiled furniture. For this purpose, soft abrasives are used that do not harm the surface.
- Check furniture for scratches and try to repair them as soon as they are found.
- If the damage is deep, it makes sense to turn to professionals who can preserve the integrity of the furniture and hide the defect as much as possible.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that not all remedies are effective the first time. Some require daily repetition. It is important to monitor and maintain your furniture, just like your own health. Incorrectly selected cleaning products, lack of protective mats and tablecloths can speed up the process of scratching.
