Before anything else, you need to know whether you can DIY repair the damage (and invest time and effort) or if you should hire a furniture professional (and spend a chunk of money). If your damage fits into the DIY repairable category then you’re in luck! We can provide you a number of different ways to affordably repair your damage. Unfortunately, if you’re on the other side and your damage is a bit more severe, we recommend that you seek the help of a professional.
| DIY Repairable Damages | Non-DIY repairable damages |
|---|---|
|
|
If you’re still umming and ahhing, our next two sections provide the wood furniture repair meter and cost table based on the wood furniture damage that you have. Our repair meter and cost table should guide you in making your decision.
| REQUIRED METHOD | REPAIR METER | DAMAGE TYPES |
|---|---|---|
| DIY WOOD FURNITURE REPAIR |
|
|
| MINOR | ||
| WOOD FURNITURE | ||
| DAMAGES | ||
| DIY WOOD FURNITURE REPAIR + PROFESSIONAL ADVICE |
|
|
| MODERATE | ||
| WOOD FURNITURE | ||
| DAMAGES | ||
| EXPERT WOOD FURNITURE REPAIR |
|
|
| SEVERE | ||
| WOOD FURNITURE | ||
| DAMAGES | ||
As shown above in the DIY repair meter, the minor cosmetic damages to your wood furniture are DIY repairable. Those that are a bit more severe can be DIY repaired but they do require some extra professional advice. Thorough research could also help you with the repair. For the severe wood furniture damages, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. If the meter says go for DIY repair but you’re still undecided, then the next section's repair cost table will help you decide if you will go for DIY wood furniture repair.
Below is the cost comparison of DIY compared to professional help that we broke down and researched for you. Seeing how much you’ll save might just hit the nail on the head for you!
The cost for professional wood furniture repair may vary depending on the severity of the damage. But for DIY repair of wood furniture, it may only cost you $19.95 for a Coconix wood repair kit or up to $50 for other materials that you might need, especially for more severe damages.
| Damage Type | Average Cost of Professional Repair | Average DIY Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Scratches | $110 - $260 | Wood Repair Kit: Less than $20 |
| Chips and dents | $110 - $1,000 | Wood Repair Kit: Less than $20 |
| Cracks and gaps | $200 - $1,000 | Wood Repair Kit: Less than $20 |
| Stain and surface marks | $75 - $2,000 | Wood Repair Kit: Less than $20 |
| Holes and knots | $100 - $2,000 | Wood Repair Kit: Less than $20 |
| Deforming/Warping | $225 - $3,000 | DIY repair not applicable |
| Pet urine and other pet accidents | $500 - $1,400 | DIY repair not applicable |
| Termites | $500 - $3,300 | DIY repair not applicable |
Source: https://www.fixr.com/
As you may imagine, when the floor damage worsens, the average cost per repair increases. Other wood professionals may charge $25 to $30 per hour plus materials for their services. Professional repair prices for wood furniture repair are fairly reasonable if you are looking for quick, hassle-free repairs. But sometimes we just don’t have the money to spare or you just really like the challenge of doing it yourself!
As you go over the options for your DIY wood Furniture repair project, we’ve created this section so you can have an idea of what the best furniture restorer is for your woodwork repair.
Wood furniture restoration not only helps the environment (it significantly reduces your carbon footprint), but it also saves you money as compared to having it repaired by professional wood restorers. Our previous section has proved this to be true and wood furniture repair cost surely has brought you to deciding to fix wood furniture by yourself.
Now the question is, what is the best furniture restorer? You might stumble upon many wood refurbishing products online or on your local hardware stores like wood fillers, furniture touch up markers or wood touch up markers, wood repair tapes, wood adhesives, and many more. But based on research, thousands of customer reviews and experiences, and product ratings, the two best furniture restorers are wood repair kits and furniture repair markers.
Let’s find out more about these two furniture repair products and how they compare to each other. In the comparison table below, we have laid out factors to be considered in furniture restoration for beginners and how these two work in each.
| Factors to Consider in Furniture Restoration For Beginners | Coconix Wood Repair Kit | Furniture Repair Markers |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Furniture Repair Cost | For $19.95, the kit already includes 10 repair compounds for the most common wood colors, wood putty, spatula, applicator brush, mixing jar, and Color Mixing Guide—everything you need in every furniture restoration for beginners. | Furniture repair markers cost range from $7 for a one-color wood marker to $36 for a multi-color wood marker set. |
| Furniture Repair Product User Experience | Coconix wood repair kit is specially designed for furniture restoration for beginners. The kit includes a user manual with easy-to-follow instructions. Our wood repair compounds have quick-dry formula and perfect for mess-free application. | Furniture repair markers are usually the first option that furniture restoration beginners try so it is known to be beginner-friendly. |
| Wood Scratch Repair | Coconix wood repair kit is formulated to provide the best wood scratch repair. Wood scratches usually occur across wood grain patterns. Coconix wood repair kit has the most common wood colors that can be mixed to match and recreate any wood grain patterns and colors. | Furniture repair markers are considered to be a quick fix for wood scratches. Markers can be used just like a pen to trace a wood scratch but it can be tricky when blending the traced scratch with the rest of the wood areas. Though it has a wood finish, wood pen markers usually look like a marker ink traced along the scratch, especially for repairs on a grained or patterned wood. |
| Wood Chip Repair | Coconix wood repair kit already includes a wood putty that can be used to fill chips larger than ¼ of an inch. Then, the colored repair compounds can be applied over the cured putty to blend the repaired spot with the rest of the area. For minor chips, the Coconix repair compounds are sufficient to fix it. The Coconix repair compounds are not only paint, but it also contains wood adhesive, dries to a wood-like finish and often outlives the actual wood material. | Furniture repair markers can be used on wood chips to keep it from being an eyesore. However, it will not truly fill in the damage but it will cover it. |
| Wood Dent Repair | Similar to chips on wood, wood dents can be easily repaired using Coconix wood repair kit. | Dents can be covered up by furniture repair markers, but we wouldn’t say that it is really fixed. |
| Screw Hole Repair | Screw holes are often eyesore on spots that are exposed and Coconix wood repair can be used to fill the hole and blend the repair. | Furniture repair markers are not designed to repair holes as they can only repair surface scratches, stains and marks. |
| Wood Table Restoration | Wood table restoration usually involves repairing table top scuffs, stains, scratches, and dents. Coconix wood repair kit can fix all those types of damages and is 100% safe to use on dining and coffee tables. | Furniture repair markers can be used on tabletop scratches, stains, surface scuffs, and minor dents. |
| Wood Chair Repair | Coconix wood repair kit is suitable for wood chair repairs—from chair scratches to pet chew marks on chair legs. | Since wood chair repairs usually involve deeper dents, furniture repair markers are not ideal for use. |
| Wood Cabinet Restoration | Wood cabinet restoration is one of the most common projects of Coconix users. Since Coconix wood repair kit includes all materials that you might need in a wood cabinet restoration, this project is a breeze with Coconix. | If you’re looking to restore wood cabinet, furniture repair markers might not be your best choice since this product is meant for surface damages on small areas. |
| Restoring Antique Furniture | Restoring antique furniture often includes repairing cracks, gaps, and discoloration. Coconix wood repair kit can definitely fix these damages in easy steps. Plus, our Coconix Support Team can provide unlimited personalized advice on your antique furniture restoration project. | If you’re looking to hide the wear marks of years of usage of your antique furniture, then you can bet on furniture repair markers. But for more severe damages on old furniture pieces, furniture repair markers are not the best repair product. |
Using the factors that we have listed above in relation to furniture restoration for beginners, we hope that you found the best furniture restorer. Coconix wood repair kit is a versatile furniture repair product that can be used on many wooden furniture damages and wooden furniture repair projects.
DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
STEPS: 4
TIME REQUIRED: 45 minutes - 2 hour
INTRODUCTION:
This guide will assist in repairing the most common damages on wooden furniture:
The repair steps below include an easy-to-use and inexpensive wood repair kit and other materials you will need along the way. If you’re feeling stuck and don’t know how to start, please don’t hesitate to contact us and send us clear photos of your repair project. We’d love to help you all throughout your repair!
Scratches, scuffs, stains, marks, or discoloration on wooden furniture can be repaired through DIY wood furniture repair according to the DIY repair meter below.
| REQUIRED METHOD | REPAIR METER | DAMAGE TYPES |
|---|---|---|
| DIY WOOD FURNITURE REPAIR |
|
|
| MINOR | ||
| WOOD FURNITURE | ||
| DAMAGES | ||
Start by cleaning the damaged area and removing any debris. Wipe it down with a damp cloth and let it dry thoroughly.
Mix your colors to match the color of your wood. There are wood furniture pieces that have grains and patterns so you will also need to recreate these to completely blend the area. Refer to the next section for the color matching and grain pattern creation.
Apply the repair compound to the damaged area. Use the spatula for larger applications and the brush for surface applications and detail touch ups. Use a fine brush of your preference if the brush in the kit is too big for details and grain pattern creation. Smooth out the surface and wipe off the excess with a paper towel.
Allow several hours to dry until the repair compound is no longer sticky to touch. If needed, apply additional layers until the repaired area is flush with the rest.
DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
STEPS: 6
TIME REQUIRED: 1 hour - 6 hours
INTRODUCTION:
This guide will help you complete any of the following repairs on wooden furniture:
The repair steps are beginner-friendly so there’s nothing to worry about if this is your first repair project! If you’re feeling stuck and don’t know how to start, please don’t hesitate to contact us and send us clear photos of your repair project. We’d love to help you all throughout your repair!
Minor cracks, chips, dents and holes on wooden furniture can be repaired through DIY wood furniture repair while bigger chips, dents and screw or nail holes will require professional advice along the way according to the DIY repair meter below.
| REQUIRED METHOD | REPAIR METER | DAMAGE TYPES |
|---|---|---|
| DIY WOOD FURNITURE REPAIR |
|
|
| MINOR | ||
| WOOD FURNITURE | ||
| DAMAGES | ||
| DIY WOOD FURNITURE REPAIR + PROFESSIONAL ADVICE |
|
|
| MODERATE | ||
| WOOD FURNITURE | ||
| DAMAGES | ||
Prepare the damaged area by carefully removing any paint chips and wood splinters. Clean the area and remove any debris. Wipe it down with a damp cloth and let it dry thoroughly.
For damaged corners, gaps, or holes wider and deeper than 1/4 of an Inch, first use the wood putty to fill the gap. Cut off the required amount of wood putty and knead it to a uniform color. Apply within 2 minutes after kneading. Press the putty firmly until curing is noticeable. Please do not leave a bulge. For a smooth surface, rub the area with a damp cloth prior to hardening. After 1 hour, the wood putty can be sanded, tapped and drilled.
Mix your colors to match the color of your wood. There are wood furniture pieces that have grains and patterns so you will also need to recreate these to completely blend the area. Refer to the next section for the color matching and grain pattern creation.
Apply the repair compound to the damaged area. First, apply it along the edges and work from the outside to the center to avoid air bubbles. Use the spatula for larger applications and the brush for surface applications and detail touch ups. Smooth out the surface and wipe off the excess with a paper towel.
Apply multiple layers of the repair compound as needed. There are repairs that may require several thin layers to build up the damaged area. Don’t forget to allow dry time between applications.
Allow several hours to dry until the final layer of the repair compound is no longer sticky to touch. If further needed, apply additional layers until the repaired area is flush with the rest.
DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
STEPS: 4
TIME REQUIRED: 15 - 45 minutes
INTRODUCTION:
One of the most important things you should be able to do correctly in a DIY wood repair project is the color matching part. Wood furniture varies in type, finish, styles, color, and a lot more. We’ve listed some helpful color matching tips you could use when doing your DIY wood repair project.
Wood color matching and wood grain pattern creation for wooden furniture repair can be done but with the help of professional advice for better color matching results according to the DIY repair meter below.
| REQUIRED METHOD | REPAIR METER | DAMAGE TYPES |
|---|---|---|
| DIY WOOD FURNITURE REPAIR + PROFESSIONAL ADVICE |
|
|
| MODERATE | ||
| WOOD FURNITURE | ||
| DAMAGES | ||
Most wood materials used in wood furniture have grain and patterns on them. Because of these grains and patterns, we would usually overlook the real base color of our wood. Knowing the true base color of your wood will definitely help you in creating your base color mixture. With Coconix, you can definitely mix two or more colors to get the perfect color match of your wood. You will also be able to use just one color straight from the kit if your wood color is one of the most common ones like walnut, mahogany, maple, oak, and cherry.
You might have a difficult time mixing and matching if you do not understand how the color chart included in your wood repair kit works. While reading this portion, it’s best to have your wood color chart ready with you!
On the Color Mixing Guide portion of your repair kit manual, you will see colors with labels on the left side and colors with labels on the bottom part. Look for the best base color match of your wood furniture across the colors on the grids. Once you have found the perfect color match, follow the grid on a horizontal line to the left to know your main color. Then, follow the grid in a vertical line to the bottom to look up your secondary color. There are times that you would only need one color, especially when your wood furniture perfectly matches one of the repair compounds in the kit. You will see the meaning of the color labels at the bottom portion where the color legends are indicated. Your Color Mixing Guide also has easy instructions if ever you get confused along the way. On the lower right corner of your Color Mixing Guide is where you will find how to contact us in case you need further help with color matching.
When mixing your base color, you will have to use the two key colors in wood color matching: Black and White. These two repair compound colors will help you adjust the tint of your base color mixture. It is also very important to remember that you only have to add tiny amounts of black or white at a time. BE REMINDED, A LITTLE AMOUNT GOES A LONG WAY!
After getting the perfect color mixture for your wood base color, you will have to practice doing the grains or patterns on your wood. Most of the wood patterns can be recreated by using Mahogany, Walnut or Black. Of course, it will still depend on your wood pattern’s color so you must identify which perfectly matches its color. Then, you may try doing the pattern using the brush included in the kit. Don’t be afraid to experiment on this step. The more you practice, the more you’ll be familiar with your wood’s grain or pattern and how to perfectly copy it. The saying “practice makes perfect” never gets old.
Below are several wood furniture restoration projects that you can use as your guide and we have included step-by-step instructions so you can easily follow through. Any repair bumps you encounter, you can contact our Coconix Support Team right away.
SECTIONS:
DIFFICULTY: Easy
STEPS: 3
TIME REQUIRED: 30 - 45 minutes
INTRODUCTION:
Wood table restoration often involves tabletop scratches, surface scuffs, spill marks, stains, discoloration, and dents.
For these types of wood table damage, you can follow the guide below for easy wood table restoration.
Scratches, scuffs, stains, marks, or discoloration on wooden furniture can be repaired through DIY wood furniture repair according to the DIY repair meter below.
| REQUIRED METHOD | REPAIR METER | DAMAGE TYPES |
|---|---|---|
| DIY WOOD FURNITURE REPAIR |
|
|
| MINOR | ||
| WOOD FURNITURE | ||
| DAMAGES | ||
Start by cleaning the damaged area and removing any debris. Wipe it down with a damp cloth and let it dry thoroughly.
Apply the repair compound to the damaged area. Use the spatula for larger applications and the brush for surface applications and detail touch ups. Use a fine brush of your preference if the brush in the kit is too big for details and grain pattern creation. Smooth out the surface and wipe off the excess with a paper towel.
Allow several hours to dry until the repair compound is no longer sticky to touch. If needed, apply additional layers until the repaired area is flush with the rest.
DIY wood repair can be a piece of cake with the right tools and materials, the right wood repair kit, and this ultimate guidebook, you will surely get the repair results you are looking for. And the most important thing is that you have our Coconix Support Team to assist you and to answer any questions that you may have before, during, and after your repair project.
By Daizy4070 on February 7, 2021
"Loooovvveed the color selection and easy to use. We had a mystery spot appear that stripped the laminate. To this day, we still have no idea what spilled and we tried just about everything before we ordered this. The spot was resistant to everything-wood marker, crayon, etc. I highly recommend getting a cheap brush set, as others have mentioned the brush that comes with it is useless. Also, don't be afraid to mix colors, even if you don't think your wood contains that color. You would be surprised at the combos I tried on a paper plate beforehand that worked. Use a thin coat, let dry completely and then come back and put on a thicker coat. I also did a bit of "freehand" at the end to give it more swirls and we're thrilled with the result!""
by Jeepers on January 6, 2023
“The first photo was after I glued the damaged shelf. The second is the completed repair. You have several colors making color matching easy. A blender dropped on the shelf separating the particle board. I didn't think there was any way to fix it but here's the result.”
by Steven Wittstruck on October 3, 2020
“Made A HUGE mistake while redoing my table. I sanded through the veneer. I tried SEVEREL different strains and furniture pens (including gel stains!) With NO luck on covering my bald spot on the table. I was so frustrated I was ready to just paint the top! I bought this kit and figured I would try one last thing. If this didn't work the top was going to get painted! Granite I didn't use the putty or any other items in the kit besides the paint, but I'm giving it a five stars because it saved my table! The color was an exact match. Should have just bought this in the first place! This was my dad's table. He passed away 2018 so this table is very near to my heart.”
by Julie Broderick on July 18, 2021
“Ok so this kit is excellent gives u everything u need to fix wood only thing is this kit comes with wood putty and a very small amount which is great for fixing small holes and scratches. If u need to repair anything more than that u will need wood filler instead of the putty. As far as colors are concerned I could not be more pleased. It has every color u need to match any color. The colors are excellent 👌”
by Sunglim Kim on January 9, 2021
"Excellent products. I had extensive damage to my dining chairs. I did extensive online research and found this product. I decided to trying! I am now so glad I this try this! I first used the putty (included in the set) to fill the deep gap. I also used joint compound to fill the light gap. I discovered the joint compound ( from Home depot) is easier to sand than the putty that was included in this set. I then sanded it lightly and wiped off the area. I waited for 24 hours to ensure the joint compound and putty are completely dry. I then mixed the color of the compound (to match tbr best color) then applied it to the damaged area. The results are great! I can still see some spots but I had extensive damage.. considering how severe damage I had, I think the results are amazing. The seller also has amazing customer service! I received follow up emails and recommendations in a very timely manner. The customer service even sent me entire new kit as I ran out of one color (Mahogony).Overall. I am so happy with the product. It did save my dining chairs in a such an inexpensive price! Highly recommend"
This infographic provides a more holistic approach to pet-proofing wooden furniture, addressing not only physical protections but also behavioral, environmental, and health aspects.
DIY wood repair can be a piece of cake with the right tools and materials, the right wood repair kit, and this ultimate guidebook, you will surely get the repair results you are looking for. And the most important thing is that you have our Coconix Support Team to assist you and to answer any questions that you may have before, during, and after your repair project.
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