Expert: Greg Scholl - 5/18/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Greg,
I am hopeful you can point me to a few options.  I just discovered that my cat gnawed the corners of my armoire.  I am heartbroken over this and trying to determine my options.  I have neither the woodworking skills to do anything very complicated nor the finances to pay a skilled craftsperson to fix it right now.  So, I'm just trying to figure out my options.  

I've heard about things like wood putties and am wondering if that could be a temporary solution.  Or, will that make repairs in the long run more difficult. The top is solid hardwood with crown molding.  (It's stained cherry but, I'm not 100% certain that's what it is.  Definitely softer than oak.)  The molding itself appears unscathed.  Just the top itself has been damaged. (To about 1/8th of an inch in, in some places).  

Any advice would be very appreciated!!!

Thanks,

Jessica

PS.  I'm attaching an image, in case that helps.


ANSWER: Hi Jessica, it's quite unusual for a cat to gnaw furniture, sharpen it's claws, yes....but not chew....unfortunately that damage looks far worse than something one could fix with some wood putty, and you're right, it would likely make a proper repair more difficult.This type of repair is a job for a skilled restorer, if the top comes off, you could get an estimate or two, and it might not be that bad. If the top doesn't come off, it becomes a bigger deal....you could buy an inexpensive touch up marker to color down the area, just so it's not so noticeable, but it's important to train the cat not to use that as a chewing place as well, and that's best done now, while it's already damaged.Wish I had better news- Post back if need be- Greg

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your prompt feedback.  I really appreciate it.  I also agree that it is both rare for a cat to do this, as well as something I should have stopped a priori.  Unfortunately, in this case, it is a cat that I am foster sitting for a local organization, who has been with me for three months, and has never chewed any other item of wooden furniture in my home, but sometime in the past week, opted to chew this one.  I will make sure she never does it again.  

In relation to my armoire...Would it be appropriate to try to sand it down and apply a little stain?

Thanks again!

Jessica


Answer
As an owner of two rescued cats, I want to thank you for what you're doing. I think you'll find that you'll be unable to get a stain to match the finish on your Armoire, as it has been finished with a "toned" (colored) finish. Also, you risk altering the profile of the damaged area, which will make a proper repair difficult as you previously surmised. I would wait until you are free of this cat...personally. If you want to try some stain, it won't hurt anything, but I would caution against trying to sand. You could wrap a piece of 320 grit sand paper around a block of wood if you feel you must, but just be aware that you want to try not to alter or round the profile. The sandpaper will also probably turn any adjacent area that gets sanded, whitish. I would also caution you against using Minwax stain. A much better choice would be a Dye stain, from General, available in pints at WoodCraft stores.They have a "Medium Brown" that might be a good first choice, but there are many colors to choose from, all of which can be intermixed... and these are waterbased stains. Don't be fooled by that however, as they are concentrated Dye based stains, and an excellent product....yet unforgiving as they will stain anything they touch....and it won't come off easily.Hope that helps- link below, and post back if need be- regards- Greg

http://www.woodcraft.com/product.aspx?ProductID=148606&FamilyID=20491