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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/How to fix scratches and gouges in desk

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Expert: - 6/20/2011


Question
Gouge
Gouge
Not sure how to go about fixing these areas on my desk. I don't want to have to refinish the whole thing especially since the scratches are so small, and I've been told the inlay would never look the same. I have no idea what to do about the gouges either. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Answer
HI David, properly refinished, there's no reason the piece wouldn't look the same, so not sure why someone would tell you that....but the damage shown is almost impossible to see from the picture....small nicks and gouges can be touched up by a touch up pen, available at a good hardware store, but if you desire a better repair with the addition of clear coat to blend with the original finish, (and likely almost impossible to detect), then I would call in a Pro Restorer to evaluate it with you. They could likely effect a repair onsite, or discuss more drastic measures like recoating/refinishing the top. Hope that helps- regards- Greg  

Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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