There is something very elegant and sturdy about wood furniture. Also, wooden furniture has certain benefits including longevity. However, wood is not infallible and too much sun or water can damage wood for good.

8 Tricks for Handling Wood Damage 

Generally, most people think it is very expensive to repair wood furniture but this is not always the case. You can reduce the repair and restoring costs just by following some tricks. One great trick is to use wood fillers. This stuff works miracles. Here are 8 tricks for you to restore or repair your wooden items.

Restoring the Wood Naturally 

Various chemicals and wood stains are available in the market to help you in restoring wood. Before buying a stain from the store, you should give the natural ingredient a try. Coconut oil should be your first choice for restoring the natural color of the wood. Coconut oil rehydrates the wood and also restores its natural shine and color.

The stain usually darkens the surface of the wood, whereas coconut oil preserves the original shade of the wood. Also, coconut oil is healthier than some chemicals brought from the store. Don’t forget; coconut oil is cheaper as well.

Darkening The Wood Naturally

What can be done to darken the wood furniture naturally? Well, we have a better idea than buying a stain from the store. The magic ingredient to darken your wood is vinegar. You can use either apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar for adding that dark tint to your furniture.

You can choose either of these vinegar depending on the type of color you are looking for. Balsamic vinegar adds a dark brownish tone, while the apple cider vinegar will give you a more golden brown color.

Removing Water Stains 

Wood furniture or kitchen countertops are the ones that get water stains the most. And, as you already know, wood absorbs the water quickly and this may result in the damage.

The cheap yet smart way to handle any water stain is putting a layer of petroleum jelly on the spot. All you need to do is coat the entire area with a layer of petroleum jelly. Next, wait for 12 to 18 hours. Then, wipe the petroleum jelly with a clean dry cloth. You will be able to see the difference. If the water rings don’t go entirely, repeat the process. The second layer will do the work.

Repairing The Holes in Wood 

Holes in wood are hideous scenes. And, if it happens to your living room furniture then you must be struggling a lot. In most cases, people suggest to get rid of the furniture and get new ones. Again, snagging scrap wood is an amazing way to do a DIY wood project on a budget. But those nail holes can make it look untidy.

There is a cheaper and better way to deal with this. For fixing the holes to get a natural look, you can cut a skewer or toothpick. Do it according to the size and stick it inside the hole. You can then sand down the wood replacement to level for giving it a striking look.

Using An Iron For Safe Veneer Repair 

This is a safe trick that you can use on the antique furniture as well. This is a great solution that involves very less work. For this trick, you need veneer banding and a piece of iron wrapped in tin foil. Once you fit the pieces into the areas in the dent, apply heat with the iron piece. Then fasten the veneer to the wood furniture. After this, use stain to color the veneer so it matches the original color of the wood. This is how you can repair the wooden furniture without any problem.

Removing Scratches From The Wood 

Wood looks stylish and robust but it is very prone to scratches. Even if you care for the furniture, scratches can occur anytime. Removing scratches from the furniture store can be very expensive and time-consuming. There is, however,  a very simple and affordable way of doing it.

You can repair the scratches on the furniture with the help of a DIY mix. The mix consists of ¾ cups of canola oil and ¼ cup of white vinegar. Mix the two ingredients properly, then, rub it on the affected areas and let it dry. You do not even need to wipe the oil off the surface. You can see the result just after putting the mixture once.

Refinishing Wood Like a Professional 

Refinishing wood is not easy, it may seem simple but you need expert hands for doing it. But, with a simple trick, you can do it at home without any issue. Here’s how.

First, you need to sand the wood, do not put any top coat before sanding the wood surface. Sand the wood facing the right way. Then, start with a coarse-grit and end with the fine-grit for a smoother look. Keep in mind that, the nice smooth surface readily absorbs the color and makes it look even and shiny. After putting on the stain, buff thoroughly for a durable and attractive result.

Repair Major Damages 

If you have furniture at home with some major damages then it will ruin the aesthetic look. This is the time to break out the Bondo all-purpose filler. Bondo is the alternative of the normal wood fillers that is in many furniture restorers. Mix the Bondo, apply it to the damaged and uneven section, then sand it using sandpaper. Lastly, apply paint for an even look.

These are some awesome tricks that you can use for repairing and restoring the wood damage. All the ingredients used in these tricks are cheap and available at hand. So happy restoration to you!