Iron Out Those Dents

Here’s a classic tip that everyone should
know: It’s not hard to make a dent in wood
and fortunately, it’s not hard to get one out,
either. All you need is a household iron
(don’t worry, it won’t get wrecked, but you
may want to ask permission if it’s not yours)
and a damp cloth. Put a couple drops of
water onto the dent and let it soak for a
minute. Then lay the damp cloth over the
dent and press the hot iron over it. The
water in and around the dent is heated to
steam which quickly swells the wood fibers
back to their original shape.Don’t over do
it with the iron. Once you see the steam,
remove the iron and cloth and give the
fibers a little time to swell. If the dent isn’t
completely gone after the first try, repeat the
process. A little light sanding completes
the repair.

This story originally appeared in American Woodworker August 2000, issue #81.

Click any image to view a larger version.

A household iron and a damp
rag are all you need to repair most dings
and dents.

Yes, these
really are
genuine
before and
after photos.