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How to Remove Scratches From Antiques

Antique furniture and home accessories remain popular for their rich histories and excellent craftsmanship. Many pieces, however, are easily scuffed or scratched. These flaws can actually enhance the character of an antique, but sometimes they need to be removed either for function or fashion. With a little patience and a few tools, you can remove most scratches from any antique.

Things You'll Need

Wood-friendly cleaning solvent
Soft cloth or rag
Lacquer thinner or varnish remover
Sandpaper
Wood stain
Varnish or lacquer

Instructions

- 1
  Pour a small amount of solvent onto a soft rag and gently clean the scratched area.
- 2
  Determine the type of protective top coat the piece has and remove it using the appropriate stripping agent. You can use lacquer thinner, for instance, to remove both lacquer and shellac, but it does not work for varnishes.
- 3
  Gently sand the scratch out of the wood using a small piece of sandpaper.
- 4
  Remove dirt and dust with a clean rag and apply a new coat of wood stain that matches the rest of the piece. Allow to dry completely.
- 5
  Apply several thin coats of varnish or lacquer to seal and protect the wood.

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