How to Easily Repair Small Scratches and Imperfections on Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture, by virtue of being outside, is vulnerable to a variety of elements that may result in scratches or minor imperfections. Have you ever noticed a small scratch on your furniture and wondered “how can I repair that?”. 

This article will take you through some of the common materials you’ll find in outdoor furniture and some handy tips on how to repair small scratches and imperfections.

Before we delve into specifics, it's important to know the type of material your furniture is made of. Whether it's powder-coated steel or aluminium, wood grain aluminium, timber, or enviroslat each comes with its own set of instructions for repair. Here's how you can fix them:

Powder-Coated Steel or Aluminium (Plain Colour)

Powder-coated steel or aluminium is sturdy and robust, but it isn't immune to scratches. Thankfully, touch-up spray paint is readily available to fix this issue. Simply use the touch-up paint in the exact colour of your furniture and paint over the scratch (our Astra team can help you to match the colour accurately). This method is effective for shallow scratches. If done correctly, it would be hard to spot the difference.

Wood Grain Powder-Coated Aluminium

For wood grain aluminium, minor scratches can be easily addressed with a permanent marker in a colour similar to that of the furniture. Due to the grain of the slat, the repaired scratch doesn't stand out. Another handy hack is to use nail polish of a matching shade; this also works well in camouflaging the blemish. It’s important to note that wood grain powder-coated aluminium is very difficult to scratch so scratching or imperfections are not common issues when you select this material.

Timber

Natural timber furniture, while beautiful, is susceptible to scratches. If the scratch is not too deep, you can simply re-oil the area. This helps maintain the timber's shine and masks the scratch. However, for more prominent scratches, sanding before reoiling may be necessary. Sand the affected area back to a smooth finish and then re-oil it. This gives your timber furniture a fresh, polished look, free of any scratch or imperfection.

Enviroslat

Our enviroslats are made from a mix of plastic and reclaimed cellulose fibre that is 100% recycled / reclaimed, providing an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional timber slats. Environslats are a popular choice for outdoor furniture due to its durable and low-maintenance nature. To fix scratches on enviroslat, you only need to lightly sand the spot with a course grade of sandpaper to remove the imperfection. A handy hack is to use a rough Flat Bastard file to get the ‘grain’ back into the surface of the slat. As the colour is consistent all the way through the material, the sanded area won't stand out. Additionally, there's no need to paint or re-oil, making it a hassle-free repair option.

Lastly, it's important to note that if the damage is extensive and beyond repair, consider replacing the affected part instead of attempting to fix it. Many outdoor furniture manufacturers (including Astra Street Furniture) provide replacement slats or parts, which can be a cost-effective solution if your furniture piece is severely damaged. Remember, maintaining the structural integrity of your furniture is as important as its aesthetic appeal. Don't hesitate to opt for a replacement if it guarantees safety and longevity.

With these tips in hand, you can confidently tackle minor scratches or imperfections on your outdoor furniture and keep it looking great year-round. If you need any advice on repairs or slat replacement, reach out to the team at www.astrastreetfurniture.com.au