How to Repair Scratches in Lacquer Wood Finish

Most commercially produced furniture has a lacquer wood finish. A lacquer wood finish takes less time to get an excellent result. One benefit of a lacquer finish is that minor scratches are easily repaired. Deeper scratches can be repaired with the right materials and techniques. The tools and materials are easy to find at any hardware or home improvement stores. Most repairs will take just a few minutes.

Step 1 –  Apply Car Wax

Car wax can hide minor scratches. First use a cleaner to take off any wax and prepare the surface. Then apply a wet-finish wax. Putting a couple of coats of wax on the furniture may help to reduce the appearance of shallow scratches.

Step 2 – Repair Finish-only Scratch

If the scratch is only in the finish and not in the wood then buff into and not through the finish with #0000 steel wool. Then apply liquid wax in a circular motion with a cloth. Let dry and then buff it again with a soft cloth.

Step 3 – Repair Crazing

Fine lines and cracks in the finish can be repaired by using a fine paintbrush dipped in lacquer thinner. The solvent will work with the lacquer to it levels out.  Let it dry. Then apply paste wax to the furniture and buff it.

Step 4 – Re-stain the Wood

Use a wood fill stick or wood marker to re-stain the wood and then wax over the area. The trick to making the scratch disappear is to use the correct color of fill stick or wood marker. This can be followed by reapplying the lacquer finish.

Step 5 – Repair a Deep Scratch

If the scratch is deep enough to penetrate through the wood then sand it with sandpaper that is 220 grit. Switch to a fine grit sandpaper and smooth out the scratch. Once it is sanded then spray on lacquer. Be sure to choose the correct satin, flat, or gloss lacquer finish to match the existing finish. Go over the area with a couple of coats and sand in between coats. Finish by buffing with fine steel wood and then buff with a soft cloth.

Step 6 – Remedying Major Damage

If there is major damage to a piece of furniture including numerous deep scratches you may want to consider stripping the finish and re-staining the wood. Be sure to clean and let the wood dry after stripping. Then you can reapply a new lacquer finish. Apply several coats and sand lightly between coats being sure to sand with the grain to achieve the smoothest finish.

Knowing how to easily fix different kinds of scratches will make the process easier and produce the best results. Fixing scratches when you notice them then will keep your lacquer-finished wood furniture looking its best.