Level deep dents on flat surfaces of wood furniture with this steam method.
By Jeff Jewitt
Old furniture, whether a family heirloom or consignment shop find, is often better made than anything you can buy today. Transform your old or new-to-you furniture into beautiful, functional pieces with Refinishing Furniture Made Simple (The Taunton Press, 2012) by Jeff Jewitt. The following excerpt shows you how to remove dents that are too large or deep for sanding.
Dents that are too large and deep to sand out can usually be steamed level with the surface using a household iron and distilled water. My rule of thumb is that any dent larger than a pencil eraser should be steamed out.
1. Pour a little puddle of distilled water into the dent.
2. Put a piece of cotton cloth dampened with distilled water over the dent. Set a household iron to “cotton” (usually one or two steps below the highest setting). Place the iron over the rag and hold it for about 15 seconds.
3. Repeat Steps 2 and 3. Several (three to four) applications of heat should swell the dent close to the surface. It’s OK if you don’t make it perfect.
4. Sand the entire surface with 100-grit sandpaper to make the dent disappear completely.
• Repair Wood Furniture: Dismantle and Reassemble Chairs
• Repair Wood Furniture: Regluing a Tabletop
Cover courtesy The Taunton Press
Reprinted with permission from Refinishing Furniture Made Simple by Jeff Jewitt and published by The Taunton Press, 2012. Photographs by Gary Junken.
At MOTHER EARTH NEWS for 50 years and counting, we are dedicated to conserving our planet's natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. You'll find tips for slashing heating bills, growing fresh, natural produce at home, and more. That's why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $5 and get 6 issues of MOTHER EARTH NEWS for only $12.95 (USA only).
You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $17.95 for 6 issues.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
International Subscribers - Click Here
Canadian subscriptions: 1 year (includes postage & GST).