Repairing tricks and tips

I used to repair furniture for a low-end furniture store, so all my tricks are low-end. :)

• Rub it first with lacquer thinner. This will show you approximately what the wood will look like with a finish on it. If it looks, OK that way, let it dry, then spray on some clear lacquer.
• Buy some touch-up markers and crayons. They’re cheap and often are all you need. Cover with clear spray lacquer.
• I’ve had good luck with a product named Restor-A-Finish. It seems to slightly dissolve existing finishes, then put them back down. It comes in different colors. You can probably find a competing brand.
• Invest in a lacquer stick set. They’re expensive, so get just the colors you need. You melt the sticks into the injury with a soldering iron, leaving it a little proud, then sand it down flat. Finish off with clear spray lacquer.
• If it’s a big injury, use your touch-up items to make it look like a knothole.
• If it’s a REALLY big injury, cut it out and put in a plug or a dutchman.

I told you these were low-end techniques.

p.s. Did I mention that you cover the repair with clear spray lacquer?

-- Steve B - New Life Home Improvement

You could buy a set of plug cutters depending on the size holes you need to repair. Drill the holes out and plug, sand flush…

-- Rich, WNY, www.nyrockingchairs.com

Are they toothpick or golf tee,”sized , shim, moulding, trim, baseboard ,sized or ” a drawer here could solve this”, to,” we never really planed to have a window/door there, but…”

Its tough ‘cause what ever works is best. The two above posts have been relied upon, tried, tested and true for a number if situations I think the key is to blend the finish or add ornamentation/ moulding or trim appropriate to the piece. If the repair is made and attempted to exactly match the existing unmodified finish, you are setting yourself up to fail. Always looks like a car that has been spray painted to conceal a scratch, usually the fix looks worse.

-- Ciao, gth.

among my favorite and most often used sayings -
“circumstance dictates procedure” no idea where I picked it up but I’ve used it for nigh on thirty years.
What sort of oops are you talking about?
If its a scratch you might try sanding it out. Maybe blend a little finish. If its a gouge you may need to fill it. A crack you may need to cut a bowtie dutchman to strengthen it. If its a Holy Heck, you may have to start over.
For holes, depending if they’re ‘crap I need to reposition the hinge’ sort of holes, or ambrosia worm holes- it varies based on where they are and what the piece is. Sometimes holes can be made into “character”, highlighted or plugged with a contrasting wood for instance. Would adding a few more holes disguise the oops, or draw attention away from the style of the piece.
So many variables. Good luck to you!

-- CaptnA - "When someone hurts you, write it in the sand so the winds of forgiveness will scatter the memory... "

Indeed… I left my camera in PR during a vacation trip, so let me see if I can take a clear picture with the cell phone.

-- There are three kinds of people... those who can count, and those who can't

It would help to know—if the wood is unfinished,—what size the hole is,—what wood it is,—is it a hole or a dent, or scratch, or burnish,—and maybe what the project is, and what location on the project are the holes.
Like CaptnA says, “circumstance dictates procedure.” (I like that)

-- Go STARS!