Easy Way to Touch Up Scratches

by Peter
(WY)

I recently came upon a great product that allowed me to restore the wood finish without having to go through the full process of stripping, sanding, and refinishing.


The product is called Howard's Restore-A-Finish. Unlike a lot of products that I checked out before deciding on this one, Restore-A-Finish doesn't actually remove the original finish. It just blends with the existing finish to fill scratches and scuffs.


It comes in 9 colors, including a clear neutral. Just pick the one closest to your floors-it doesn't have to be an exact match.


To use it:


1. You first clean and dry the surface. They recommend their own orange cleaner, but I used one that I already had, and it worked just fine.


2. Then use a cloth or foam brush to apply the product. Use a generous amount. It is relatively thin and has a slight mineral spirits smell, so make sure you have the windows open or other ventilation.


3. With a clean cloth, rub the product into the surface immediately-you don't gain anything by letting it sit, and it could get a little sticky. You don't have to rush, just don't bother wasting time letting it sit. Gently rub until the scuffs and scratches are well-covered. Then wipe off any remaining oil.


4. Work on small areas at a time, choosing a size that you can apply and wipe in one step before taking a break. I found that areas about 2-4 feet square worked well for me. Have a lot of clean cloths handy, as you'll need to change frequently.


5. If the scratches do not disappear, you can apply the product with ultra-fine steel wool. Follow the directions on the bottle. I thought I would have to, but I didn't.


Good luck!