How to Sand Out Deep Scratches in Wood

If you’re wondering how to sand out deep scratches in wood, it’s likely that you’ve discovered some horrible scratch mark on your beloved piece and are pretty keen to get rid of it.  After all, there is nothing more annoying than working on a beautiful piece of timber or wood furniture and only to realize it’s been scared by deep scratches. Luckily, as a DIYer, you can easily learn how to sand out deep scratches in wood.  This is particularly significant if you’re wanting to sell your piece.  You may even want to check out out article, How Much Does A Woodworker Make?

**Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, with no additional cost to you, I can earn from qualifying purchases. 

How to Sand Out Deep Scratch in Wood – Step by Step Instructions

 The first step you need to take before fixing deep scratches in wood is to check the extent of the damage. This is because many at times, it is possible for the scratch to look deeper than it is or the vice versa. Once you have done this, it becomes easy to determine the best method of resolving the problem at hand. To do this, you will need to:

• Clean the scratched area. Before tackling the problem of deep scratches, you need to clean up the damaged areas. The easiest way to do this is by using a specialized hardwood cleaner. You will need a soft cloth rag to clean the area. Once this is done, allow it to dry off before proceeding.
• If your furniture is coated with a layer of polyurethane, rub mineral spirits over it. You will need to strip off the layer of polyurethane before trying to fix deep scratches. Mineral spirits make this a walk in the park as they remove this layer that would be a hindrance to your work.

If you realize that the scratch is not too deep, the right way to have it fixed is by:

Make use of wax filler sticks

Rub the wax filler over the deep scratches. If you are into woodworking, then you need no introduction to wax filler sticks. These crayon-like sticks are easy to use as they only need to be rubbed on the area with a deep scratch. You will need to rub the stick back and forth until the crack is filled in.

Note: For the best results, you need to ensure that the filler stick you opt for has a color that matches your wood furniture.

Alternatively, you can decide to use blending pencils or stain markers that have the same function.

1. Blend the filler in. After rubbing you wax filler over the wood surface with deep scratches, it is time to blend the filling in. This can easily be done by using your fingers to rub the filler by moving them around the edges of the area. Remember to be careful not to remove too much filler from inside the crack. Most importantly, never forget that the goal is to level the entire area to make the scratched area well hidden.

Note: As you blend in the filler, it is highly likely that the filler material will spread past the crack. This should not be a cause for alarm as these can easily be removed as long as it does not dry up.

1. Use a dry rag to wipe away the excess filler. Once you are done blending the filler in using your fingers, take a dry cloth and use it to remove excess filter material. As a rule, do not disturb the material in the scratch and instead focus on the areas around it.

Note: If the filler gets dry before you can clean it all up, use mineral spirits to dampen the rag and clean the area.

1. Let the filler dry for 30 minutes.

Fixing Deep Scratches in Wood

 If you need to fix deep scratches in a wood surface, the best way to do this is by using wax filler putty. This can be done by:

1. First, fill the deep scratch using pre-colored latex wood filler. This will quickly be done using a putty knife to spread the filler inside the scratch. Always remember to use a filler with the same color as the wood you are repairing. You will also need to use a plastic knife instead of a metal one to avoid scratching the wood surface.
2. Remove the excess filler before it dries. After ensuring that the scratch is filled, you need to scrape off the excess filler before it dries. Use a plastic putty knife and hold it at a 45-degree angle to drag it across the surface until it is smoothed out.
3. Let the filler dry for at least 30 minutes.
4. Use 180-grit sandpaper to blend the filler into the wood. Gently rub the wood surface using sandpaper until it achieves a natural look.
5. Wipe off the excess filler. You will need to use a damp cloth to remove excess filler around the borders of the scratch.
6. Finish the wood with a sealant. The last step is to use a sealant or polyurethane to finish the wood.

How to Get Deep Scratches Out of Wood

 The last method you can embrace to get deep scratches out of wood is by using wax paints. This can be done by:

1. First, sand the edges of the scratch. Use 180-grit sandpaper for this and ensure you do not sand areas outside of the scratch.
2. Use warm water to clean the wood surface. Dampen a clean cloth and use it to wipe the wood to remove all debris.
3. Use a lacquer pen to fill the bottom of the scratch. Find a lacquer pen with the same color as the wood surface and use it to add color at the bottom of the scratch.
4. Create a blend of wax paint that matches the wood surface. You will need to start by dripping the lightest shade of wax paint onto a pallet and mixing it with darker shades. Continue doing this until you find the best shade that matches your wood surface.
5. Use a pallet knife to spread the paint in the scratch. Once you have the right blend of wax paint, spread it in the scratch using a pallet knife. Ensure that the entire scratch is filled and the paint matches the wood color.
6. Use 180-grit sandpaper to smooth the painted area. Before the paint gets to dry, you need to start sanding the edges of the painted area.
7. Add more color to the painted area, if need be. Most of the time, you will need to adjust the coloring to achieve the right shade of color. Remember to sand out the area again after doing this.
8. Finish off with a sealant or lacquer spray. To protect the painted area, you should spray the painted area using a lacquer spray or other types of sealants such as polyurethane.

Conclusion

It is essential to recognize that fixing deep scratches is more demanding than working on minor scratches. However, with such a simple guide and the right Hand Tools, this process will be simplified.

Finally, as a DIYer who is into woodworking and wants to master how to make Cool Things to Make Out of Wood, we have the right guide for you. You can also learn why Power Random Orbit Sander is one of the most popular tools for sanding and why you need it.