| Few things are as disappointing as that first nasty | | | | still wet and try again. Artist acrylic paint is very |
| scratch on a new piece of furniture. No matter how | | | | forgiving. When the repair dries, paint over the |
| beautiful the piece is overall, all you see when you | | | | scratch with the liquid flat acrylic. The flat sheen will |
| look at it is the scratch. Of course, it's natural to | | | | reflect less light and make the scratch less noticeable. |
| believe that the scratch is the only thing your guests | | | | The Crayon Technique |
| notice, too. Short of having the whole piece | | | | Colored wax repair sticks are commonplace; they can |
| refinished, what can be done about an unsightly | | | | be found in almost any paint store. The problem with |
| scratch? There are three touch-up techniques used | | | | these sticks is that they only come in a few colors, |
| by professional furniture refinishers that can be safely | | | | and it's difficult to find one that will match wood |
| adapted for home use. The supplies needed are easy | | | | grain. This problem can be overcome if you |
| to find and the techniques are easy to learn. | | | | remember that these sticks are just wax, like a |
| Invisible to the Casual Observer | | | | Crayola crayon. Crayons come in many more colors, |
| The goal is to repair the scratch well enough so that | | | | and work just as well. If your scratch is very deep, a |
| it does not draw attention to itself; you want the | | | | crayon is your best choice for repair. To make this |
| scratch repair to go unnoticed by your guests. In the | | | | repair, you will need the appropriate color crayon, an |
| refinishing trade, such repairs are said to be "invisible | | | | old credit card or piece of stiff plastic, a rag, some |
| to the casual observer". That is, close inspection will | | | | naptha (lighter fluid) and some 0000 grade steel wool. |
| reveal that a repair has been made, but the | | | | Rub the crayon into the scratch; the goal is to slightly |
| otherwise the repair goes unnoticed. | | | | overfill. Using the credit card, scrape the wax level to |
| A Natural-looking Repair | | | | the surface. To remove the excess wax from |
| The easiest way to achieve a satisfactory repair is | | | | around the scratch, dampen the rag with the naptha, |
| to mimic the natural markings in the wood grain. | | | | and clean around the edges. Naptha is benign and will |
| Mineral streaks, small knots, grain and color variations, | | | | not harm the finish. If you push too hard with the |
| sap pockets, and flecking give each cut of wood a | | | | credit card and scuff the finish, remove the scuffs |
| unique personality. By matching the color of the grain | | | | by buffing lightly in the direction of the grain with the |
| or other markings instead of the overall color of the | | | | 0000 steel wool. |
| wood stain, a more natural look can be achieved. | | | | The Touchup Marker Technique |
| Acrylic Artist Paint Technique | | | | Touchup markers by Minwax and Guardian are |
| From your local art supply or craft store, purchase | | | | available at most paint stores. These markers are |
| several small artist brushes, a small bottle of clear flat | | | | similar to Magic Markers but they are filled with |
| liquid acrylic, and four tubes of acrylic artist paint: raw | | | | furniture stain rather than ink. Like Magic Markers, |
| sienna, burnt sienna, raw umber and burnt umber. | | | | touchup markers have wide felt applicator tips. |
| With these four colors you can match almost any | | | | Usually, these tips are much wider than a scratch, |
| wood grain. Using a piece of cardboard or a paper | | | | and tend to make scratches more obvious rather |
| plate as a palette, squeeze out a small amount of the | | | | than less obvious. |
| four colors onto the palette. To mix your color, start | | | | To use these markers to the best advantage, rub |
| with either umber and gradually lighten the color by | | | | the marker along the length of the scratch until the |
| mixing in one of the siennas. A few minutes of trial | | | | color fills the scratch. Then, quickly lick your finger |
| and error will bring you to an acceptable color. The | | | | and rub the excess stain from around the scratch. |
| color will darken as it dries, so make your final color | | | | This technique will minimize the scratch and not make |
| slightly lighter than what you want. | | | | a mess on your furniture. These three techniques will |
| When you are satisfied with the color, use the | | | | enable you to make acceptable repairs to most |
| smallest artist brush to apply the color to the scratch. | | | | scratches on your furniture. You will still know where |
| If you make a mistake, wipe out the color while it's | | | | the scratch is, but chances are your guests won't. |