There are a few ways to fix scratches and other mars on wood furniture that are relatively simple.

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Steps

1. Try cigarette ash. It is very fine and will not scratch. It can be used to smooth a rough area or to remove water marks on wood finishes.
   
2. Test nutmeats. For example, walnuts work well. Using a fresh nutmeat, break it to bring the oils up and rub it into any fine scratches on wood furniture.
   
3. Solve deeper scratches with magic markers. These are great for coloring in deeper scratches on wood furniture. Use indelible ink pens, choose a color a bit darker than the wood.
   
4. Fix dents. For dents in wood, place a few drops of water in the dent, allow that to sit for about an hour. Then using a damp tea towel and a steam iron, go over the area several times until it is warm and swells up.
   
5. Clear up cracks. For cracks in wood, use mayonnaise - this will heal deep and long cracks in wood furniture. Layer it on thickly over the crack and into the crack. Let it set several days. Wipe it down. Repeat the process if necessary. (I have healed a ½ inch crack with this method.)
   
6. Mend warped wood. Remove the warped piece if possible. Place it with the curve high in the middle. Cover the wood with a damp cloth and place a light weight on top. Continue this process for several days repeating steps as necessary. As the wood straightens, more weight can be added. Do not add weight daily or it may cause the piece to crack and become useless or ruined.
   

Tips

• Some of the methods above may need to be repeated several times to get the desired results.
  
• Please use the tips with some caution. Try the simplest methods first and if the results aren't desirable, try another method.
  

Warnings

• Most of the methods for fixing damages to wood are quite safe, but please proceed with caution.
  

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Labels: restoration, wood, wood desk, wood finish, wood furniture

Toothpaste and a toothbrush or a soft rag is the answer. Or check the tips below, for more ideas!

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Steps

1. Use white paste, not the gel kind, and simply put a small amount directly onto the wood furniture. With either a soft bristle toothbrush or a soft rag, start making circular motions and rubbing the paste into the marker.
   
2. Be patient. You may have to do several applications before the marker is completely removed.
   
3. When the paste has basically taken on the color of the marker, wipe clean and then start with step 1 again.
   

Tips

• Try White board cleaner spray. It works great! Before you start, test the paste on a part of the furniture that's not normally visible, to make sure that it won't strip the paint.
  
• Try Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, it works, even on bamboo items! Use furniture oil if the sheen gets rubbed off.
  

Source: wikiHow

Labels: cleaning, economy, restoration

Learning how to refinish your furniture can cost you so much less than buying new furniture. This article will teach you how to do that.

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Steps

1. It is safer to use environmentally friendly furniture refinishing products to reduce the strain on the environment and to preserve the lifespan of your furniture. In the past, people used to finish furniture with lacquer, which is dark and dense and hides the beauty of the furniture. With that type of finish, the furniture is inclined to have white marks and humidity marks. A natural wood finish or a much more vibrant colored finish is a choice you can make for your furniture. To spruce up your Danish furniture from looking so drab, a glossy finish is suggested.
   
2. If you use an environmentally natural furniture finish, you will find that your furniture will regain its original beauty. Learning how to refinish your furniture can cost you so much less than buying new furniture.
   
3. A lot of people prefer to buy new furniture because of the work involved in furniture refinishing. There are other people who don?t have the patience in completing it and end up having a terrible finish or just give up and go out to buy new furniture. One thing to remember is that ?Rome was not built in a day,? and it will require time to complete any furniture-refinishing project.
   
4. Take a trip to your local hardwood store where trained professionals are there to help you to choose the right product for your refinishing project. You want to ditch the caustic chemicals and select a natural product for your safety. If you don?t mind working with chemicals, you must use these with care. Do not smoke while using these chemicals. Chemical strippers can be dangerous when inhaled, so wear a mask and gloves. If you are sanding inside the home, be sure to seal all air ducts and electrical outlets.
   
5. If you have to use any kind of power tools, be sure to use earplugs. Unplug your sander when you are getting ready to change the sander paper. Tools that you will need to begin your project are sander, electric drill, putty knife, bristle brush, paint scraper, safety goggles or mask, sanding block, chisel, canvas, rubber gloves, rubber pallet, paint brush and seam roller.
   
6. You have to clean the surface of the furniture before you get started. You can clean it with a wax remover or wood cleaner. Cleaning the surface will determine if the furniture is worth refinishing.
   
7. To determine what finish was previously use, follow these simple steps:
   
8. Soak a small cotton ball in alcohol.
   
9. Put this on a concealed area of the furniture and leave for about ten minutes.
   
10. If you see any type of dissolving, then the finish is shellac.
    
11. If you don?t see any type of dissolving, then go ahead and test a lacquer thinner in a concealed area. If this dissolves, then the finish is lacquer.
    
12. It these two tests are unclear, you may then be dealing with a varnish or synthetic finish. If the previous finish looks like it is simply worn out, you may be able apply the same finish easily.
    
13. If you are doing a full finish, make sure you strip the furniture and then begin to sand it down. Sandpaper of 100 to 200 grits is recommended. You should make sure you change the sandpaper often to get a better finish. If you don?t change it often, then it becomes of no use and you may be polishing instead of sanding at that point. An orbital sander is the best sander to use because it operates at about 8,400 orbits per minute. A padded sanding block gives you an edge over reaching difficult areas.
    
14. You apply a sealer after you stain the furniture. Make sure the surface is smooth and then go ahead and apply the finish smoothly to prevent any streaks or bubbles.
    

This article provided as a public service. Bear Office Furniture is not responsible for its contents or your results. Source: wikiHow

Labels: ecology, economy, recycling, restoration