How to Seal Wood Scratches With a Walnut

Last Updated: August 6, 2023

Nasty scratch on your furniture? Well you can treat it by using... a walnut! Yes, that's right, a walnut. This article will show you how to use this clever little snack to do more than just bust cholesterol!

Steps

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-1.jpg\/aid375551-v4-728px-Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Begin by rubbing the scratched wooden item with the walnut. Do this in a circular motion across the length of the scratch, from one end to the other. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-2.jpg\/aid375551-v4-728px-Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Rub it back and forth several times.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-3.jpg\/aid375551-v4-728px-Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Leave the scratch for several minutes. While waiting, you're free to eat some of the walnuts if you like... or not! Meanwhile the natural oils in the nuts will be seeping into the wood, helping to heal the ugly wound. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-4.jpg\/aid375551-v4-728px-Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Take a soft cloth and polish over the whole area.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-5.jpg\/aid375551-v4-728px-Seal-Wood-Scratches-With-a-Walnut-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Stop polishing and check it; your efforts should reveal that the scratch has disappeared! ^{[3]
X
Research source}

Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I remove watermarks on a finished dining table?

Community Answer

This article can help you get started: How to Get Water Stains Off Wood.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 33

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

A non-walnut means for achieving this is to put a wet rag and a hot iron on the scratch; the steam will soak into the cells of the wood and they'll expand.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Warnings

Don't do this if you have a contact allergy associated with nuts.

Thanks
Helpful 8 Not Helpful 22
This method should not be used on antique items; seek advice from a professional furniture restorer.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 15

Things You'll Need

Shelled walnut meat
Polishing cloth
Scratched wooden surface

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

[3]

How to Seal Wood Scratches With a Walnut

Steps

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

References

About this article

Did this article help you?

About this article

You Might Also Like

Explore Categories