Curved table legs offer a distinctive look to all sorts of tables ranging from formal dining room tables to casual cocktail tables. They also serve a function, of course, and problematic legs compromise the stability of a table. Scratches, gouges and nicks are unsightly on curved table legs and take away from the aesthetic value of the furniture. Depending on the job, repairing curved table legs is something you can do on your own most of the time, with just a few materials.
Instructions
Loose Table Legs
1. Turn the table over to gain access to the underside of the table.
2. Use a screwdriver to tighten screws. If glue secures the legs, use a metal putty knife to break the glue bond between the table leg and the tabletop.
3. Scrape the dried glue out of the recess that holds the leg under the tabletop with a metal scraper.
4. Sand the area under the tabletop and the top of the table leg with medium-grit sandpaper and follow with a fine-grit sandpaper sanding. Use a tack cloth to remove dust.
5. Apply wood glue to the recess on the underside of the tabletop and the top of the table leg. Leave the table upside down while the wood glue dries, usually 4 to 6 hours.
Scratches
6. Find a match for the curved-table leg's current finish by choosing a wood stain, wax sticks or wood crayons. Liquid scratch-cover products and markers made to match a furniture's finish are also available.
7. Apply the covering using a lint-free rag, if needed. Slowly build the color until it matches the existing table leg finish.
8. Apply a coat of furniture wax.
Nicks and Gouges
9. Choose a colored wood putty to match the finish.
10. Use a flexible putty knife to press deeply into the wood putty into the nick or gouge. Apply thin layers of putty, building it up to slightly higher than the surface of the table leg.
11. Allow the wood putty to dry and harden, generally 1 to 2 hours.
12. Use fine-grit sandpaper to sand the wood putty flush with the wood surface.
Broken Legs
13. Turn the table upside down and remove the table leg with either a screwdriver or by freeing the glue bond with a metal scraper.
14. Contact the manufacturer to purchase a new leg that exacts matches the table or bring the broken leg to a woodworking shop to have a duplicate made.
15. Attach the new leg in the same fashion as the broken leg by either screwing it in place or gluing in place.
Tags: wood putty, fine-grit sandpaper, glue bond, glue recess, Legs Turn, Legs Turn table