Phisherman wrote:
On Thu, 28 Apr 2005 10:02:32 -0400, Harry Everhart
wrote:

I have some pine wood that has some deep surface scratches and
dents. I
would like to get them out the best I could before I stain and
finish
the wood. What is the best way to get scratches and dents out of
pine?
Some of the the scratches may be as deep as 1/16 of an inch.

Someone said heat from an iron and steam. Is that right?

Yes, though I have had good luck just sponging water on the dent
and waiting for it to swell up on its own.



A surface planer or wide belt sander will remove scratches. Dents
can
be removed by steaming the dented area. I use the tip of an old iron
and a damp rag to remove dents. Steaming won't remove scratches.

True however in soft wood most scratches are a combination of torn
wood and compressed wood. Wetting the scratches and letting the
compressed wood swell back will minimize how much of the surface
must be removed.

Depending on species and the individual piece pine can have a pretty
'busy' figure so that repairs like that are minimally noticeable.
Eastern Aromatic Red Cedar is especially good in that regard.

--

FF