Crafts & DIY
20 Brilliant Hacks To Repair Wood Damage Fast
Wood furniture is beautiful but it can damage easily. Here are 20 genius hacks to fix wood damage in a jiffy!
Cheryl Knight
07.05.18

Damaged wooden surfaces, such as those with scrapes and scratches, leave your furniture and other wood items looking old and unsightly. But the damage doesn’t need to be permanent. You can make your damaged wood surfaces as good as new.

Use these amazing hacks to fix damaged wood surfaces in your home.

Apply Coconut Oil to Make Your Wood Look Like New

Better Homes & Gardens
Source:
Better Homes & Gardens

Coconut oil can restore faded wood to its natural color. Apply the oil, and let sit for five minutes before buffing the coconut oil into the wood surface.

Fill Small Holes Using MH Ready Patch

American Beadboard.com
Source:
American Beadboard.com

For a fast-drying filler for smaller holes and scratches, try using an oil-based product, such as MH Ready Patch. Not only does the product dry in 30 to 35 minutes, it cleans up easily with soap and water.

Repair Small Holes Using Toothpicks

Practically Functional
Source:
Practically Functional

If you have small holes in your wood surface, such as from nails, stick toothpicks in the holes. Make sure to cut the toothpick to the correct size to fill the hole, and then sand it smooth.

Use an Epoxy to Fill Larger Holes

helenrappy.com
Source:
helenrappy.com

For larger holes, use an epoxy to provide a stable product that you can sand, drill, and even plane if needed. Considered by many as one of the strongest fixes for damaged wood, epoxy is waterproof, making it a great choice for outdoor repair projects.

Use Vinegar and Canola Oil to Remove Scratches

Lily & Thistle
Source:
Lily & Thistle

Mix 3/4 cups of canola oil with 1/4 cup of vinegar to make a great scratch remover for your wood surfaces. Rub the mixture into the wood, and allow it to dry.

Fix a Variety of Rough Wooden Surfaces Using Putty

The Wood Whisperer
Source:
The Wood Whisperer

Putty is a versatile substance that is easy to mix, requiring you to add water to get the consistency you desire. You can even use it for outdoor wood projects, though the weather can affect drying time.

Apply Nail Polish to Remove Small Scratches

Simple Household Tips
Source:
Simple Household Tips

If you have small nicks and dings in your wood surface, simply apply a coat of clear nail polish. Allow the nail polish to dry, and then use sandpaper to even the surface out.

Use a Two-Part Epoxy for a Fast Repair

Etsy/brokerrus
Source:
Etsy/brokerrus

For an extremely fast-drying substance, use a two-part epoxy, such as KwikWood. Not only is it easy to use, it is usually ready for further sanding and staining within 20 to 30 minutes.

Hide Scratches in Wood Using Iodine

New England Today
Source:
New England Today

Iodine is a great product to hide and blend scratches in your wood surfaces. Simply rub the iodine into the scratch and let it dry. Keep applying coats until it matches the color of the surrounding wood.

Rub Walnut or Brazil Nut Meat on a Scratch to Make it Go Away

Howcast
Source:
Howcast

Rubbing walnuts or Brazil nut meat onto a scratched surface is an easy and environmentally friendly way to hide scratches in a wooden surface. Just remove the nut meat from the shell and rub it onto the damaged wood.

Use Vegetable or Tung Oil to Quickly Darken Wood Surfaces

The Upstyle Wood Guide.org
Source:
The Upstyle Wood Guide.org

To match new wood to the darkness of the surrounding wood, use a vegetable or tung oil. Rub the oil into the surface of the lighter area using a lint-free cloth. Allow the oil to soak into the wood’s surface, reapplying as necessary. To avoid over-darkening, apply no more than three coats before allowing to sit overnight.

Conceal Scratches in Wood Surfaces Using a Crayon

Houselogic
Source:
Houselogic

You can also use crayons as a fast way to conceal scratches in wood. When choosing a crayon to use, look for one in a color that closely matches that of the wood’s surface.

Use This Homemade Recipe When Polishing Wood

wikiHow
Source:
wikiHow

Once your wood is repaired, sanded, and painted or stained, it is time to polish it. To make a great homemade wood polish, mix a solution of equal parts olive oil, denatured alcohol, turpentine, and strained lemon juice. Mix well and apply with a lint-free cloth, buffing to a shine.

Remove Water Marks Using a Hair Dryer

Furniture Refinishing Studio
Source:
Furniture Refinishing Studio

Using a hairdryer is another great way to remove water marks. Simply apply heat to the water-marked surface and follow up by wiping the area with a rag dampened with denatured alcohol. Make sure the surface does not get too hot to avoid damaging the wood.

Use a Painter’s Putty to Easily Fill in Small Holes

The Spruce
Source:
The Spruce

Another great product for filling small holes is painter’s putty, such as DAP Painter’s Putty. Keep in mind, painter’s putty is very slow drying, though this allows you to manipulate it longer when making a repair.

Use Mayonnaise to Remove Water Marks

Pinterest
Source:
Pinterest

If you have water marks in your wood’s surface, lightly coat the area with some mayonnaise. Allow the mayonnaise to soak into the wood for about an hour before wiping away with a dry rag.

Use Sawdust and Superglue for Filling Smaller Holes

Scott Doyle Inc
Source:
Scott Doyle Inc

One great hack for wood repair is to use Super Glue mixed with sawdust. The goal is to create a thick paste and then to place it in nail holes and other small imperfections using a putty knife. Once dry, sand it down to the surface of the surrounding wood.

Repair Veneer Using an Iron

TripAdvisor
Source:
TripAdvisor

To repair damaged veneer on the edges of your wood furniture, use an iron, tin foil, and veneer banding. Cut the veneer banding to the appropriate size, and apply a hot iron with its surface wrapped in tin foil.

Use a Wood Filler for Easier Color Matching

Pete's Hardwood Floors
Source:
Pete's Hardwood Floors

Used by handymen everywhere, wood filler is the standard when it comes to wood repair. The high number of options you have when purchasing a wood filler for your repair project make it a great choice. Wood fillers come in a variety of consistencies and colors, allowing you to tailor it to your wood.

Use Petroleum Jelly to Remove Water Stains

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Reader's Digest
Source:
Reader's Digest

Petroleum jelly works great at removing water stains on wood. Simply apply a coat of petroleum jelly to the stained area and allow it to sit overnight. Then, just wipe the petroleum jelly up the next day.

Source: Cooktop Cove

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