Blog>Expert Advice>How to repair damaged wood furniture
Last updated: 20 June 2023
How to repair damaged wood furniture
If you’re wondering how you can repair damaged wood furniture, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we look at the common causes of damage to wood furniture and how to repair damaged wood furniture yourself.
From how to fix scratches on wood tables and fixing heat stains on wood furniture, to replacing veneer on furniture and fixing water damaged wood, keep reading to find out more.
Common reasons to repair damaged wood furniture
Before we look at how to repair damaged wood furniture, let’s look at the most common types of damage that you might be dealing with.
Here are some of the most common reasons why homeowners in the UK are trying to find out how to repair damaged wood furniture:
Minor scratches and dents in the wood from everyday use
Major scratches, dents and gouges caused by impacts and accidents
Paint damage and chipping caused by general ageing and use
Swollen wood, often caused by leaks or other water damage
Heat stains from contact with items such as mugs of hot drinks, cookware and other hot objects
Top 7 products to repair damaged wood furniture
Whatever type of wood damage you’re looking to repair, it’s likely that you’ll need one or more wood furniture repair products to help you do the job.
Here’s a list of some of the most common and effective wood repair products to look out for:
Wax and polish remover to remove old wax, dirt and grime from wood furniture
Fine wood stripper to remove any paint and varnish from the surface of the wood
Wood stopping agent to fill holes, cracks and gaps in the wood
Wood wax to buff away surface scratches
Multi-purpose wood filler to repair general surface damage to wood furniture
Wood bleacher to remove dark stains caused by rust, alcohol and damp (it can also be used to lighten the colour of dark wood furniture)
Sanding sealing agent to seal the wood after sanding and before waxing
If you’re dealing with antique furniture, you need to take extra care when carrying out any repairs or restoration work. To help you out, here’s our guide on how to restore antique furniture.
How to fix scratches on wood furniture
Surface scratches are one of the most common forms of damage to wood furniture and, fortunately, they’re usually pretty easy to repair – especially minor scratches.
The best way to fix scratches on wood furniture is to simply buff it out using a wood treatment wax and a lint free cloth.
How to fix scratches on wood tables
If your table has minor surface scratches, a simple wood wax or wood scratch repair kit will easily get rid of light scratch marks on your wood furniture.
For deeper scratches on your wood table, where you can also notice visible discolouration, you might want to use a wood furniture patching stick to repair the damage.
And, if the scratches are really severe, it might be best to leave it to the professionals and hire a local wood furniture restorer to carry out the repair work.
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How to fix gouges in wood furniture
Grooves or gouges in your wood furniture can be a real eye-sore, and often a problem best dealt with by an experienced local carpenter or furniture restorer.
However, if you want to know how to fix gouges in wood furniture yourself, here’s what to do:
Use a suitable wood filler to fill in the grooves or gouges
Leave the wood filler to dry completely for 2-3 days
Once the filler is dry, sand the area and clean away any dust
Use a wood polish or wax to refinish the surface of the wood
Wondering how much furniture repair costs? Check out our guide to furniture repair prices.
Replacing veneer on furniture
We’ve spoken about hiring a professional to repair damaged wood furniture, and replacing veneer is one of the jobs that we would recommend getting expert help for.
If you’re a confident and experienced DIY enthusiast, you can try tackling the veneer replacement job yourself. Otherwise, get in touch with local wood furniture restorers or carpenters in your area and get it done by a professional wood specialist.
How to fix heat stain on wood
Modern day living means that hot objects, like a cup of tea or hot saucepan, often come into contact with wood furniture – leaving unsightly heat stains in their wake.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to deal with the problem. Here’s how to fix a heat stain on wood:
Use toothpaste and bicarbonate of soda (one part toothpaste with two parts bicarb) and gently rub the paste onto the stain and leave for 10 minutes before wiping off with a cloth
Apply olive oil and salt to the heat stain and leave to dry and wipe off with a clean cloth
Alcohol-based hand sanitiser can work on some wood surfaces to remove heat marks
Specialist heat stain removal products are available and often involve using a cloth pre-treated with natural oils that is designed to remove heat and water stains from wood
How to fix water damaged wood floors
If you’ve had a spill, or a water leak has affected your wooden flooring, here’s how to fix water damaged wood floors:
Remove any surface water so that there is no excess water on the surface of the wood
Clean away any dirt and debris from the wooden floor, so that it’s clean before you start any treatment or repair work
Leave the wood floor to dry fully, using fans or a dehumidifier if necessary to speed up the drying process
Sand the floor if you notice any cupping, ballooning, or warping of the wood floorboards. If you do spot this, we highly recommend contacting a professional
Seal the wood with a high-quality sealant to protect the floor and prevent moisture from causing damage to the wood in future
Hire a professional to repair damaged wood furniture
When it comes to damaged wood furniture, sometimes it really is a job for the experts. Especially if it’s a special piece of wood furniture that you want to repair to bring back to its former glory – you don’t want to risk damaging the wood with a dodgy DIY repair.
Thankfully, there are plenty of experienced carpenters and furniture restorers in your area who can help.
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