Kathy asked: How do I remove a scratch on our dining room table top? I just noticed a scratch on top of my kitchen table. It is about 12’’ long, and unfortunately, when I rub my fingernail over it, I feel an indentation. Is there anything I can do myself to remove it, or do I need a professional?
Wooden 
furniture comes in contact with a variety of objects that over time will damage the finish with light scuffs and scratches. There are many ways to remove these. The method you choose will depend on the depth of the scratch and the type of finish.
Surface/Finish Scratches
These scratches are small and do not penetrate the wood underneath the finish. Look at the scratch at an angle. If there is no discoloration, then the scratch is only on the surface. Choose one of the methods below to fix it.
You Will Need:
- Paste wax
- Lemon juice
- Olive or vegetable oil
- Lint free cloth
Steps to Remove Surface Scratches:
- If the surface is waxed, it is easy to remove the scratches. Simply apply a paste wax over the surface and buff. The wax will fill in the scratch grooves and make them disappear.
- You can also use lemon juice and oil. Mix one part of each in a small dish.
- Moisten a lint free cloth with the mixture.
- Rub the cloth firmly over the scratched area until it is no longer noticeable.
- If you furniture has an oil finish, look for a product designed by the manufacturer to remove scratches.
Removing Surface Scratches from Polyurethane or Urethane Finishes
You Will Need:
- 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper
- Water
- 0000 steel wool
- Paste wax
Steps to Remove Surface Scratches:
- Moisten the sandpaper with water (lemon oil can also be used).
- Carefully sand the surface where the scratch is located. Follow the direction of the scratch. Do not oversand the area.
- Once the scratch is removed, apply a paste wax and buff with #0000 steel wool to bring back the shine.
Removing Surface Scratches from Shellac or Lacquer Finishes
You Will Need:
- Rubbing alcohol (for shellac finish)
- Lacquer thinner or nail polish remover (for lacquer finish)
- Small brush
Steps to Remove Surface Scratches:
- Dip the brush into the appropriate thinner.
- Gently brush the surface of the scratch. The thinner will cause the surrounding finish to soften and fill in the crack.
- Once the crack is filled in, allow the area to sit overnight. The finish will harden, and the scratch will be gone.
Fixing Scratches that Go Through the Surface and Into the Wood
When the scratch is discolored (usually lighter than the surrounding wood), it means that the wood itself was penetrated and needs to be recolored to make it disappear. Below are several home remedies as well as commercial products you can consider.
You Will Need:
- Coloring agent (choose one):
- Nut meat (Brazil, almonds, pecans, walnuts)
- Shoe polish/dye
- Markers
- Colored pencils
- Wood stain
- Small paint brush
- Cotton swab
- Furniture paste wax or polish
Steps to Remove the Scratch:
- Choose the method above that provides the best color match to the existing color of the furniture.
- To use nut meat, select a shelled nut that is similar in color to your wood and rub it over the scratch. Rub gently at first and increase pressure until you see results.
- To use another coloring agent, dip a small paint brush or cotton swab into the desired coloring agent. Some commercial products will come with their own applicator.
- Follow the direction of the scratch and apply the color.
- Repeat applications until the color matches the rest of the piece.
- Once the scratch is colored, apply a wax or polish to the surface to restore the finish.
Additional Tips and Advice
- If you are unable to remove the scratch yourself, if may have to be professionally refinished.
- Check your local hardware or paint store for a variety of products designed to fill in scratches and replace color.
If I can’t fix the scratch, I use table runners to hide them. I use a table cloth on my dining room table, and runners on my end tables and coffee table. Runners come in all different sizes and designs, and enhance the décor of the room.
Mix some oil artist paint to match the colour and thin it slightly. Rub the colour into scratches with elbow grease and finish off with wax plus some colour to create a reasonable finish. Polish with a cloth the next day to get the shine back.
Very happy with the results of using the lemon oil remedy on wooden furniture. I scratched it while messing around with the dog and my girlfriend was not too happy! But she’s happy now!
Hi. Can I please ask what is the lemon oil remedy?
Julie,
The lemon oil remedy is the first one – Surface/Finish Scratches. You use equal parts of lemon juice and olive or vegetable oil.
Worked great, thanks!
It doesn’t seem to me that this combo would help with a darker wood scratch, unless for some reason lemon darkens exposed to air. Can you elucidate? Thanks.