FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

repairing nicks in fine furniture

eagjag | Posted in General Discussion on February 9, 2007 04:31am

could use some assistance, as i need to repair several pieces of furniture. the repairs are mostly small nicks in fine furniture, mostly walnut.

knowledge of both books and courses available would be helpful.

thanks

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. frenchy | Feb 09, 2007 04:37pm | #1

    eagjag,

     are the nicks in the wood or just the finish? do you want to repair them or simply know what can be done?  

    1. eagjag | Feb 09, 2007 04:46pm | #2

      the nicks are both in the finish and the wood, and yes i do want to repair them. thanks for the contact

      1. jackplane | Feb 09, 2007 04:54pm | #3

        wipe with linseed oil and thinner 50/50, try to apply only on damaged areas.Expert since 10 am.

      2. JMadson | Feb 09, 2007 05:01pm | #4

        Nicks in fine furniture are best fixed with burn-in sticks. I'm not sure of the exact material, but they look like hard plastic woodfill sticks. You use a hot knife to melt the material into the nick and then smooth it out. After filling the space, you touch up the finish to match. I've seen sets of this for sale at Woodcraft.

        http://www.woodcraft.com/search/search.aspx?query=shellac+sticks

        Unfortunately, this approach is more of an art than just a skill. I worked at a high end furniture store for years. We had a couple of guys that specialized in furniture repair. I tried to do what they do, it takes a lot of practice. “The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..” – Hume

        1. eagjag | Feb 09, 2007 05:07pm | #5

          thanks for the information

          1. BenM | Feb 09, 2007 08:20pm | #10

            If the nicks are in areas that don't get a lot of wear or are not too visible try crayons.  Minwax makes them in several furniture colors and they work very well.  You don't need too much skill either.

        2. DougU | Feb 09, 2007 06:44pm | #7

          JM

          Shellac sticks, and yes there is a knack to using them.

          Doug

          1. JMadson | Feb 09, 2007 07:14pm | #8

            I figured out that they were made from shellac after I went to the Woodcraft site, but I was too lazy to change my post.

            They work great, every color and they can even be opaque or somewhat transluscent. The guys I new would just use these as the base color and then paint in the grain if needed. We sold a lot of mission oak furniture from Stickley. It was hard to dent but when it did get dented it usually was fairly noticable. “The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..” – Hume

          2. dovetail97128 | Feb 09, 2007 08:19pm | #9

            Yes,
            Stick shellac. The old way of doing it was with a small alcohol lamp and special knives.
            I have my fathers set of lamps and tools . He was pretty proficient at it. Colors can be mixed to some extent.
            Just for whatever, people who learn that skill set can demand their price for repairing high end architectural work. Not many around who really know how to do it right.

  2. kate | Feb 09, 2007 06:19pm | #6

    You might have more luck with this thread over at Knots.  They are more into furniture over there...

  3. EJCinc | Feb 09, 2007 10:07pm | #11

    Can't help with fixing it, but distressed furniture is very trendy now.

    I say drag a log chain across the rest of it, stab it with an awl a few times, and round of some of the square edges. 

    My painter also owns a furniture store and I can't believe what they do to brand new furniture, but it looks amazing when it is done.

    Legal Disclaimer: The preceeding comments are for entertainment purposes only and are in no way to be construed as professional advice. The reader of these comments agrees to hold harmless the poster, EJCinc, from any and all claims that EJCinc offered professional advice, ideas, or comments to the reader that may or may not have resulted in the damage, injury, or death to the readers property or person.

  4. JMadson | Feb 12, 2007 04:45am | #12

    did you get the answer you were looking for?

    “The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..” – Hume
  5. grandizer | Feb 12, 2007 05:24am | #13

    Bruce Johnson's book "The Weekend Refinisher" deals with just this topic and is exceptional. Should be at a nearby library and will give you a huge leg up on all kinds of furniture repair - mainly in finish but also structural.

    Best of luck
    Brian

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Fast, Accurate Wall Framing

A rear addition provides a small-scale example of how to frame efficiently.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 693: Old-House Hazards, Building Larsen Trusses, AI in Construction
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding Hazardous Materials in a Fixer-Upper
  • A Classic Paint Sprayer Gets a Thoughtful Refresh
  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data