How do i fix my scratched bedside table?? What do i use?

Question

My son decided to scratch my new bedside table with a nail filer and there are no deep dints but his taken the paint off the edge and now the original color of the wood is showing which is a creme color but the color that was scraped off was a dark brown looks like black from far, i dont know if it was painted or if its a gloss or polish or varnish?? I dont know much about wood paints.. Can i fix it by myself, how do i prepare the surface and what do i paint it with and how do i do it??

Please help i cried when i saw it because i always looked after it... :(

Thanks in advance...

Answer 1

If the scratches are fairly small, I think you could hide them using some acrylic craft paint from the hobby store.  You could buy some dark brown and some black and mix to the correct color.  Each little bottle is only about $.99.   If your original finsh is very shiny, then you need to also get a little acrylic gloss top coat/varnish which would be at the hobby store with the craft paints.  It if the surface is just a little shiny, then you would want semi-gloss.  Apply the color and top coat with a tiny brush just in the problem spots.

To protect the finish, I think a piece of glass with the tiny plastic feet underneath at each corner to keep it from actually touching the surface and potentially causing a problem.  Or perhaps a decorative tray with little felt feet under it?  Where they sell candles they usually sell a clear glass or mirrored mat to put under candles to protect a table top and also just to look nice.  They usually have nice beveled edges and little plastic feet.  Maybe something like that would fit.

Answer 2

If the furniture is factory made, it probably has a spray on epoxy finish.  Glassy smooth and tough.  To repair it, sand the blemish smooth with progressively finer sandpaper, going up to 600 grit to smooth out the edges of the paint, then spray paint it any color you want.

Answer 3

Go to your local furniture dealer where they sell wood tables.

They are sure to have people who can make seamless professional repairs.  If you have never attempted this type of repair, you are most likely not going to be happy with your result on a do-it-yourself repair.

If your product is truly wood (and not some laminated high density covered wood) you can go to your local hardware people (try a few stores if possible) and get opinions on the procedure.  If you are gutsy and not afraid of failure (which calls for a professional to refinish anyway) then go for it - at least you will learn something.

Give your son a big hug and kiss and gently explain all that you need to do to make the repairs (even if this means ordering a new table) - this small amount of instruction and communication will help you both over come the bigger problem that is really small in light of world events.