How to Disguise Cat Claw Marks in My Trim Work

How to Repair Painted Wood Trim

• 1

  Clean the trim with a moist rag and detergent to remove and dirt and oil. Pay special attention to the scratches where grime may settle in and accumulate.

• 2

  Sand the damaged areas using fine-grit sand paper.

• 3

  Wipe away the sanding dust and fill any deep grooves with wood filler or putty. Follow the instructions on the container, as it may need to cure before you proceed to the next step.

• 4

  Sand the wood filler down so it is even with the surrounding wood. Wipe away any sanding dust with a damp rag.

• 5

  Tape off the adjacent walls and adjoining surfaces to protect them from getting unwanted paint on them. Lay a drop cloth or old newspapers on the floor.

• 6

  Paint the repaired section of trim using the small, angled brush. Start from the top of the damaged area and work downward. You can apply one to two coats, depending on the opacity of the paint. Wait for the paint to dry and remove the tape.

How to Repaired Stained Wood Trim

• 7

  Clean the trim with a moist rag and detergent to remove and dirt and oil. Pay special attention to the scratches where grime may settle in and accumulate.

• 8

  Evaluate the scratches. If the clear finish is chipped off but the underlying color remains, you may just need to apply a clear finish. You can preview how will this will work by applying a small amount of water to the scratched area. If water makes the scratch appear to vanish, you just need a clear coat.

• 9

  Apply a clear finish to minor surface scratches. You may use shellac, varnish or polyurethane. Clear fingernail polish will also work in a pinch.

  If the scratch has penetrated the color underneath, you will need to re-stain the area. Wipe the stain onto the wood and then wipe the excess off. Follow up by applying your clear finish.

• 10

  Sand the repair lightly with fine-grit sandpaper.

• 11

  Rub with steel wool and a bit of paste wax if the surrounding wood has a satin finish. If the surrounding wood has a high-gloss finish, rub the repair with auto polishing compound and an old rag.