Rub Out Scratches in Wood Outdoor Furniture
Aug 20th, 2010 by Kathy
Because wood patio furniture is more susceptible to damage than other types, such as polywood and aluminum, it’s more likely to end the season with some scratches, chips, gouges, and even burn marks. Fortunately, you will often be able to fix such afflictions, or, at least, hide them.
Before you attempt any repairs, however, clean the porch swing, patio table, Adirondack chair, or whatever the injured party happens to be. Start by using a soft, dry brush, to remove dirt, dust, and debris; then smooth out scratches and chips with sandpaper.
Although it’s best to use a product that’s specified as a wood wash, you can clean most outdoor wood furniture with very mild soap diluted in lukewarm water. Dip a sponge into the mixture, wring out the excess, and gently wipe the surface. Then, rinse it, blot it with a towel, and allow it to dry thoroughly in the sun before you operate on it.
Superficial scratches are pretty easy to handle, as there are several products made to cover them. Many solutions can also be found in things that you may already have in your home. Of course, some of them may sound a bit nutty; for example, you can often rub out a scratch with a pecan (or another nut that has a high oil content), a dab of peanut butter, or olive or vegetable oil.
Another pantry item that can rescue dark wood outdoor furniture is coffee. Mix one teaspoon of the instant variety with one tablespoon of vegetable oil or water, and work it in gently with a soft rag. This method can be very successful; but don’t use it on shellac, or antique wood.
Other things that can work well, but which should be tested on inconspicuous spots, are iodine (on reddish finishes, such as mahogany), and liquid and paste shoe polishes. You can also use felt-tipped markers and softened crayons, and, if necessary, mix their colors to match the wood on your outdoor settee, loveseat, accent table, or whatever you’re mending.
You may be able to fix gouges on outdoor wood furniture with a furniture filler stick, made of wax or putty, and some dark furniture wax, which you’ll find at a wood-finishing supply store. After cleaning the area with mineral spirits, apply a filler stick that matches the lightest shade of the wood, and then smooth it with a small piece of wood.
Next, buff it gently with superfine steel wool, and then use the dark furniture wax to even out the color. Because this is a soft filler, it works best on outdoor table legs, the backs of patio chairs, and other parts of outdoor furniture that are not as heavily put-upon as tabletops.
To apply a harder fill, you’ll need a shellac stick, matched to the finish, some superfine, wet/dry sandpaper, mineral oil, alcohol, and a grapefruit knife, or a curved burn-in knife from a supply store. Apply the shellac by (repeatedly) heating the knife, then pressing it against the stick, to make it melt and drip slowly into the hole. When it’s filled to just above the surface, smooth it with the knife, and let it cool. Then, even out the spot carefully with sandpaper and some mineral oil, and use the alcohol to remove the excess shellac.
Because this technique requires a little more skill, you should practice on a piece of junk furniture or scrap wood before trying it. After all, you don’t want anyone giving you a bunch of shellac for ruining a good porch chair.
Yours Outdoors,
Kathy
