- 1). Remove any finish from the area around the dent. Moisture must be able to penetrate the wood fibers in order to expand and raise them and it cannot make its way through most wood finishes. When sanding the affected area, be careful not to damage the surrounding finish. Use a fine grade (220) of paper to feather the edge of the finish that will remain on the wood, so that blending the new finish will be more successful.
- 2). Heat the iron to its highest setting.
- 3). Add water to the gouge with an eyedropper, placing a few drops of water on the dent and letting it soak into the wood fibers. If the wood absorbs all of the water immediately, add a few more drops so that the fibers are thoroughly soaked and will not burn with the introduction of the heat.
- 4). Apply the heated iron directly to wood so that it generates steam within the fibers and raises them up to fill the dent. Remove the iron every few seconds to make sure that the wood is not being burned and that there is still water in the fibers. Add more water and heat until the dent is removed or the fibers can no longer expand.
- 5). Dry the wood thoroughly, allowing all of the moisture to escape the fibers. If the grain has been raised above the original surface, you will need to sand it flush before refinishing.
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