How to repair scratches on cherry wood door that had oil based polyurthane as finish?

Here is a couple of easy options..do not do as suggested before..you will be opening up a can of worms you will not be able to fix without stripping the whole door..You will not be able to succesfully have stain be accepted into the sanded door as suggested for the polyurethane has soaked into the grain of the wood..and will not allow stain to succesfully soak into the grain without stripping it first..I am a 37 year experienced painter..and here is a couple of easier options...


First just lightly sand the whle door..do not sand off the finish..just lightly then dust it off...after this you can go to Sherwin Williams or most major hardware stores and buy some touch up markers..Here is a link as an example...But mimwax also put these pens out in many colors...touch up the scratches with the pens..then put one coat of oil based polyurethane over the whole door...This is why you sanded the door first..so you will not be sanding the touch up marker off..and it is ready to recoat after drying..





http://www.hfstaples.com/Pages/Products/鈥?/a>


http://www.minwax.com/products/wood_main鈥?/a>





The other option if the scratches are really deep is to simply buy some colored putty(sand door first again as with the markers)..then fill the deep gouges in with a cherry colored putty to match..let it dry a couple of days..then recoat with oil based polyurethane...Colored pyutty is also available at Home Depot, Lowes or any paint store...





http://www.colorputty.com/How to repair scratches on cherry wood door that had oil based polyurthane as finish?
Dear Chicken Scratch,


Jk!! Here's how.


Using .0000 extra fine steel wool sand an area about three inches larger than the scratch in all directions or to any detail or edge. Concentrate your effort more on the scratch and less at the outside. Do this until the main scratch is gone when the dust is wiped away. If the wood itself was scratched fill if needed with a high-quality filler that is not stained and stain to match. Wipe away excess stain. Using a fine brush for stain and finishes apply a very small amount of oil-based poly to the entire area. Allow to dry completely. Lightly sand with .0000 wool and repeat until the affected area blends in. This may take up to five coats and as many days.