Here’s Some Tips To Repair Damaged Wood
It’s an established fact that plastic or metal furniture can never match the breathtaking elegance and beauty of wooden pieces. There’s just something so regal and luxurious about this material, no? The only downside of wood is that it can get damaged easily. Sunlight exposure, watermarks and scratches can ruin the look of your favorite table within months of buying it. Fortunately, all of this is easily repairable. In this brief, we will tell you the top tips for repairing damaged wood.
1. Apply coconut oil for discoloration
Wood can get discolored over time, making it look dull and faded. While you can use chemicals to remedy this, there is a natural alternative that works just as well while ensuring your furniture stays safe. Simply apply coconut oil to the wood to bring back its glossy look. Doing this will make your wooden furniture look brand new while also moisturizing it. This helps prevent dryness that could make the wood weaker and more prone to chipping over time.
2. Use wood fillers for filling in the scratches
Scratches are the bane of wooden furniture, and they are difficult to avoid. This is especially true if you’ve got children or pets running around the house. Thankfully, these scratches are super easy to fix with the right equipment.
A wood filler is a solution of sandable material and hardening resin. It soaks into the wood fiber and bonds with it to fill up scratches. Using a wood filler is pretty easy as you only need to apply it on the scratch, let it dry and sand it down to make the surface even.
You can even fill up larger dents with this useful product. Most wood repair kits include a bunch of different types of wood fillers for quick repairs.
3. Use the underlayer wood
Many wooden items are made up of multiple layers of wood. This helps make the item more durable and sturdy. If you see that the outer layer of the wood has sustained irreparable damage, then you can peel it away to work with the layer underneath. Keep in mind, however, that doing so will reduce the sturdiness, so this should only be done as a last resort.
4. Utilize opaque finish to prevent sunlight damage
Sunlight damages wood, making it look dull and causing adhesion or discoloration. An easy way to prevent sunlight damage to your outdoor wooden furniture or patio is by using opaque finishing. This type of finish blocks UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun, helping the wood retain its original gloss and color.
5. Fill small holes with toothpicks
Small holes often appear on wooden furniture either because of getting punctured by an object or because of insects burrowing in. In either case, you can fill up the hole with toothpicks. After doing so, be sure to apply some wood filler that matches the color of the wood. This trick is a cost-effective way to repair minor damage to wood.
5. Use mayonnaise to remove watermarks
Yeah, you read that right. Mayonnaise can help remove watermarks or water stains caused by a spill. Simply put mayo on the stain and leave it be for a few hours. Then wipe it away, and BAM — the watermarks are gone. You can get the same results using petroleum oil as well.
Final Thoughts: How To Prevent Wood Damage
Prevention is always better than repairing. You can prevent wood damage by avoiding placing your wooden furniture in direct sunlight and keeping it away from any water sources. You can also do regular maintenance by rubbing the wood with coconut oil or vinegar to keep it moisturized and fresh looking. Additionally, it is best to keep a wood repair kit at hand to effortlessly repair any sort of damage.