How to repair scratches in oak furniture?

[yellowbentines]

I bought an oak chest of drawers yesterday, but being rather heavy handed I've somehow managed to put a 1.5" (albeit shallow) scratch on the top surface, so it's very visble and I'm rather pissed off!

Rather than call in the professionals for such a small scratch does anyone know of any method of DIY repair? The top is solid oak with what appears to be a matt laquer/varnish type finish.

Save me from the wrath of SWMBO!

[Wacky Racer]

Give these people a ring:-

http://www.robertthompsons.co.uk/

[yellowbentines]

Cheers WR, I'll give them a try, but I'm in Glasgow and they appear to be in York so they may not want to give me gratis advice over the telephone

[Davi]

if it's a piece that is worth worrying about I'd get someone in to do it, it's very easy to make a small problem that'll cost pennies a big problem that'll not...

[yellowbentines]

very true, I don't want to penny pinch and ruin it as its a good solid piece of furniture that I've bought with the idea it'll outlive me, however I thought there may be an easy fix - I think I'll phone around for quotes for repair anyway.

[Nubbin]

There's lots of sctratch repair stuff - I think you can get some in B+Q, Tesco etc. called "Topps Scratch Cover" made by Mr. Sheen - available in various shades.

Or try this - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RUSTINS-SCRATCH-COVER-POLISH...

[Eggle]

Send me a photo.
If it has a varnish on, it will be harder to remove. Is it a scratch or a dent?

[yellowbentines]

Cheers Eggle, will try and get a photo uploaded tomorrow, I think it is varnished, it's not bare wood anyway, it has some kind of coating but it could be varnish or laquer or similar, I'm really not up on my finishes!

[evo4a]

These days I suspect it will be a 2 pack lacquer, very difficult to repair.
Once I see a picture I can also advise, my expertise comes from having a bespoke furniture business.

[yellowbentines]

Thanks all, it was difficult to get good photos, do these help at all?

[Eggle]

Looks like it is a lacquer. Very hard to sort easily. You could try a bit of wet and dry very fine to cut it back, even out the scratch and then try a clear wax over the area.
evo4a might have a better idea, as he would use 2 patr lacquers. We use wax finishes.

[allegro]

In two words... Goodnight Vienna! t-cut or a bit of fod grease is your best bet.


Seriously though, its going to be a job for a pro. Dont try it yourself it will only get worse

[evo4a]

we can sometimes soften up the lacquer provided its not to old and pull it accross with thinners, but as emphasised before do not try this yourself as you can make it a lot worse if you don't know what your doing.
Sorry I can't be of more assistance.

[ali_kat]

Can you get some clear laquer and use a fine paint brush (lipstick/eyeliner brushes are good) to fill it in?

Then polish over the whole thing??

[yellowbentines]

Cheers all for your help so far, I'm now convinced, I'm getting a professional in to fix it!

( no way I'm ruining my good lipstick/eyeliner brushes ali )

[JeepJunkie]

yellowbentines said:

Cheers all for your help so far, I'm now convinced, I'm getting a professional in to fix it!

( no way I'm ruining my good lipstick/eyeliner brushes ali )

Good stuff!

Can the shop not send round their french polisher, that's what John Lewis did for us at no cost

[yellowbentines]

JeepJunkie said:

Can the shop not send round their french polisher

I doubt it, I got a great deal on it as the shop are going out of business so they're unlikely to care about after sales service!

[ali_kat]

yellowbentines said:

( no way I'm ruining my good lipstick/eyeliner brushes ali )

Neither would I, but I would use the cheap ones I was given in a free gift!

[cardigankid]

Smith & Rodger in Elliott Street supply all the polishing kit you could probably need, however it will cost you more for the materials than I suspect a pro will charge - it's such a small job. That would not be sort of a problem to a french polisher, even if it is a two pack laquer which I'm sure it will be. They will make it just vanish. The department stores get scratches all the time and fix them so noone would ever know. Do you know anyone locally? There used to be a chap called John Black round in Argyle street who could take something like that out by winking at it.

In any case, in the grand perspective, it's all just patina - you show me a piece of old furniture which hasn't a few knocks dents and scratches - the antique boys 'distress' their stuff with chains I believe. A quick wax polish and forget it wouldn't be the end of the world - you are going to use it after all.

If you are stuck or you think you are being ripped off PM me.

Edited by cardigankid on Thursday 9th April 17:20