This isn't a scratch but a dent. When we took the table out of the car it rubbed on the tailgate hook. It had a blanket over it so it didn't scratch. It's about 8" long on a birch table. Someone told us to use an iron. Don't know how to do this.

Dot, October 2008

The wood fibres have been crushed rather than being broken by a scratch. The technique to take out the dent is to steam it by pressing an iron on to a damp cloth against the dent. This can spring the fibres back into their original shape. As mentioned above though the results are unpredictable, this can ruin the varnish. I did this to a solid Alder table and it needed sanding and refinishing once completed but it took out the dent really well. It must be solid wood for this to work.

Dave of Bexleyheath, October 2008

an iron? never heard that before, contact me at jasenj_no1@yahoo.co.uk if you still want it repairing

jasen, October 2008

I've never heard of the iron method and if the table is varnished I should think you are likely to melt it and end up with a right mess. The only method I have heard of would need the wood to be bare so probably won't appeal as you would have to begin by stripping the coating off! In the unlikely event you wanted to do this you then put a drop of water on the dent which soaks in and expands the wood fibres. You would need to surround the dent with something like blu-tack so the effect is localised. It is possible it will only reduce rather than completely remove the dent. When it's done the job you would need to leave it a few days to dry (the fibres won't shrink back down). Then sand it if necessary, dust off and re-coat. Not a job many would want to take on and difficult to make it look like new. I think I am right in saying the harder the wood the less effective this would be. I suspect you may have to live with it unless someone else has a magic way of doing it.

RobertK, October 2008

Place a damp cloth over the area and iron over it with a medium heat iron to start with,let it cool for a few minutes and try again with a hotter iron,the idea is that the steam produced lifts the grain of the wood,use only the tip of the iron and don't press on it,trial end error I'm afraid.

Rich, October 2008

You need to do an old carpentry trick; rub a rotten banana into the dent & around it, leave alot of banana over the dent for a couple of days.

jeffi, October 2008