Repair Furniture Scratches

Q: How can I fix a scratch on a new dining room table? Is there something I can use to fill the depression and hide the damage?

A: There are two ways to go. If the indentation is shallow (less than the thickness of cereal box cardboard), then I recommend a unique product called Howard’s Restor-a-Finish (www.howardproducts.com; 800-266-9545). It’s a liquid that’s available in various colours, designed to repair all types of worn and scratched furniture finishes. I’ve used the product and it’s pretty amazing. Apply it with a cloth, rub it in gently with very fine steel wool, then buff with a dry, lint-free rag. If the dent is deeper, fill it with a wax filler stick instead. These look something like a big crayon, designed to be rubbed into the damaged area. Buff the area afterwards to remove excess wax that may have strayed beyond the edges of the dented zone. When choosing a particular colour, go for one that's exactly the same, or a little bit darker, than the surrounding wood. Wax filler that’s lighter than the wood stands out and looks strange.