DIY furniture repair from chipboard master class

In detail: do-it-yourself wood chipboard furniture repair master class from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Repair of chipboard furniture: elimination of chips, scratches and cracks, restoration of a worn surface, materials and tools used

Furniture made of laminated particleboard has been and remains a priority purchase option for the vast majority of our population. Perhaps its main advantage is its affordable price, which can be obtained using chipboard, which is inexpensive relative to other materials (for example, wood). Thanks to the lamination of the surface of the slab, the furniture acquires a quite decent appearance and fits well into almost any interior design of the room.

However, like any other product, such furniture is prone to damage during operation or transportation. Now we will consider what damage is typical for this type of furniture, how you can make restoration and repairs.

Let us describe the most common cases of chipboard damage that can be successfully eliminated with little effort:

To repair chips on chipboard you will need:

retouching felt-tip pen (or usual of a suitable color);
hard tint wax;
wax melter or lighter for melting wax;
chisel or spatula;
felt fabric;
fixing spray varnish.

Chipped on laminated chipboard

Chips usually appear at the corners and are small, light-colored (chipboard-colored) depressions.

The elimination process consists of several stages:

Preparatory processing of the chip... In this case, it is necessary to process the chip with a chisel so that its edges become straight.
Sealing the chip... For this, hard wax of a suitable color is melted with a wax melter or a lighter and applied to the chip with a small margin.
Surface leveling... After the wax has dried with a chisel, having worked through each plane, the excess wax is carefully cut off, forming a clear right angle of the surface, and light grinding is performed with a felt cloth.
Texture restoration... With a thin retouching felt-tip pen, lines are applied along the chip in accordance with the overall texture, each time wiping with a paper towel for easy smearing of clear line boundaries and greater believability.
Opening with varnish... To fix the seal and to give the restored surface a characteristic shine, it is treated with a spray varnish.

Video (click to play).

Especially often, such damage is found during the repair of children's rooms. To eliminate scratches, you will need the same tools for repairing furniture as for repairing chips, only instead of hard wax it will be more convenient to use a soft one..

How to remove scratches: work sequence

With a spatula, wax is applied transversely to the scratch, at the same time compacting and leveling it.
With a thin retouching felt-tip pen, paint the missing texture.
A fixing varnish is applied to fix the embedment site and level the surface gloss.

Advice! To seal cracks when wax is not available, you can use a special furniture touch.

Scuffs, like scratches, often occur on laminated chipboard due to constant contact with the surface of foreign objects. For example, you can find them during renovations in the hallway or kitchen..

As a result, the upper protective layer and partially or completely the paint layer are abraded.

In order to eliminate the abrasion that has already appeared, you need to do a few simple manipulations:

Place a microfiber cloth over your finger and moisten it with a suitable colored felt tip pen.
Touch up the scuff with a napkin, rubbing along the location of the surface structure.
Apply the fixing varnish in several thin layers.

Cracks on chipboard furniture often appear under the influence of moisture, heat or improper operation at the point where the cabinet doors are attached.

To repair cabinet furniture with your own hands, you will need:

clamps (adjustable clamps);
syringe with a needle;
PVA glue.

In a syringe without a needle (for easier and faster penetration), PVA glue is collected and a needle is put on.
Using a syringe, fill the entire internal volume of the crack with glue.
Put a clamp on the slab on the sides of the crack and pull it together.
Remove excess glue with a napkin and leave in this position for at least a day.

After the glue has dried, the element will be ready for use again.

The most commonly used hard and soft wax, special retouching and tint markers or markers, furniture stroke, PVA glue, laminating edge.

Soft wax differs from hard wax in that it is immediately ready for use in its original form (it does not need to be melted), but at the same time it is applicable only on those surfaces that are not subject to mechanical stress.

Soft wax is more convenient to use, and hard wax is more reliable.

The stroke is used to putty small damages (scratches, small chips, abrasions). It must be applied to the surface, allowed to dry slightly, and then sanded with a felt cloth.

The laminating edges are glued to the worn end surface of the board, after removing and grinding the old edge.

The edge is placed on the end and passed over it with a heated iron, which makes it stick.

We hope our article was useful to you. In order to more accurately understand the technological and practical issue, our website contains detailed photo and video instructions, in which you will find useful information on this issue.

No matter how carefully people handle the furnishings in their home, sooner or later the furniture will need to be repaired. This will help restore damaged parts and worn upholstery to its former beauty. To carry out the restoration yourself, you will have to try a little and do everything beautifully and efficiently.

Everyone understands that the repair and manufacture of furniture are complex processes, it is unlikely that it will be possible to fix large areas on your own, you will have to turn to professionals. But at the same time, small, but unpleasant defects can be tried to be corrected at home. Chips, minor scratches, scuffs and other misunderstandings that spoil the look of seemingly recently purchased things can really be corrected on your own.

Smooth paintwork is easily scratched. None of the household members usually can remember where they came from. People have come up with many ways to deal with furniture defects. Many of them are based on the use of scrap materials. The availability of renovation products makes it easy to keep the furniture in its original condition, and the choice of restoration method allows you to use the most convenient method. You can get rid of scratches on furniture using one of them.

Linseed oil and alcohol are mixed in equal proportions;
The mixture is impregnated with a tissue swab. They need to wipe the damaged part of the coating;
You will have to wait for the mixture to dry completely;
The final step is to polish the surface with a clean cloth.

There is an alternative method for removing small scratches from the surface of tables and chairs. To do this, you need to prepare a walnut and a jar of iodine:

The walnut must be cut into halves and wipe the damaged area of the furniture with them;
Iodine works the same way. It paints over minor damage and makes them less visible. A weak iodine solution is used. It is applied to the inside of the scratch with a toothpick or needle;
After processing, this place can be varnished.

Manufacturers of tools for repairing wooden furniture have long started to produce special pencils that work similarly to walnuts or iodine. Using the tool, you can paint over the damaged part of the furniture. This method has one significant drawback: it will take a long time to select the desired shade of the pencil. After purchasing the right scratch repair tool, you no longer have to worry about new minor damage, it will take a couple of minutes to fix them.

If you need an expensive repair of Italian furniture, correction of significant damage to the surface or complex breakdowns of mechanisms, you will have to contact a special company that repairs furniture at home.

The repair process in this case should be carried out by professionals with extensive experience. They will repair the walls of the cabinets or replace them with similar ones if repair is impossible, replace worn out parts.

Some serious defects affecting the operational properties of furniture can be corrected on their own; local repairs will not cause difficulties for a neat person. Constant changes in temperature and air humidity inherent in every working kitchen cause cracks, table legs eventually deteriorate. The repair should be done as soon as possible, before the deformation becomes very noticeable:

Ordinary PVA glue is taken into a medical syringe, for better penetration of the substance, the needle is removed;
Putting the needle on a full syringe, carefully fill the crack with glue;
The part is tightly pressed with a clamp, the glue residues protruding from the crack are removed;
After a day, the clamp is removed and the repaired part of the furniture is varnished. This will extend the life of the furniture and protect it from further damage.

For kitchen facades, it is advisable to use furniture repair wax. The substance will help fix chips and cracks on the surface. For easy application, use wax crayons. Repair instructions with wax:

Selection of the required color. To repair chipboard furniture, purchase a wax crayon of a suitable shade in specialized stores. If the store does not have the desired color, then mix adjacent shades. To do this, you will have to take shavings from two pencils, mix and melt in a metal bowl. By choosing proportions, achieve the desired shade. After that, minor furniture repairs will not be difficult;
To repair chipboard furniture with your own hands, you need to clean the surface. This is done using sandpaper and a blade to gently cut away loose pieces;
When applying a pencil to furniture, you will have to melt it, but not with an open flame. The beeswax, which is part of the composition, is to blame, the pencil will simply light up. A heated metal object is used for melting. A knife is perfect for this. It is heated over a flame and the pencil is melted, after which they continue to repair the veneer on the furniture;
A chip or crack with a slight excess is filled with molten wax;
After the composition has dried, its excess is removed with a blade;
Wait until the mixture is completely dry and polish the surface;
The polished surfaces are varnished to secure repairs and extend the life of the furniture.

Repairs are easy enough, but repaired chipboard furniture must still be protected from further damage. To prevent them, cover the furniture during repairs with plastic foil and secure it with tape. This prevents stains and dust from penetrating the furniture surface.

Moving elements are more prone to breakage than other parts. The metal part of the mechanism may become unusable and require replacement. Missing repair parts can be purchased at the furniture store.To repair furniture with your own hands, you need to understand what has become unusable, decide whether the mechanism can be repaired or whether it will have to be completely replaced. On your own, you can perform small repairs and replacement of some elements:

Each type of mechanism has its own repair algorithm; before starting work, it is necessary to determine it, carry out diagnostics and repairs according to the instructions. Video master classes are available on the Internet. In any case, you need:

Dismantle the mechanism;
Disassemble into constituent elements;
Identify the broken part;
Replace;
Assemble the mechanism back and install.

To prevent minor repairs to furniture or windows, simply grease the moving parts. Lubricating the hinges will reduce friction and hence wear on the mechanisms. In addition to eliminating the unpleasant squeak, this preventive measure will significantly increase the life of the metal part. Thanks to the film on the surface of the part, the risk of rusting is reduced.

If you look at the chairs in concert halls, you will notice their perfect condition: the upholstery looks like new, despite the constant stress. Upholstery of upholstered furniture is its most important part. It is the upholstery that has an incredible load that makes it unusable. Over time, scuffs appear, torn parts of the fabric, soft filler crumples.

To restore the upholstery, you will need a modest set of items. Furniture repair supplies include a furniture stapler and new fabric.

The easiest way to update the chair cover is:

First of all, you will have to disassemble the chair and separate the old fabric from the seat;
After making accurate measurements of the seat, you can go to the store for fabric. The size of the canvas should be approximately 20 cm larger than the size of the seat in all dimensions. If you change the upholstery on all chairs, you can choose a completely new color that matches the interior of the room. Choose a strong and durable fabric. In addition to upholstery, you will have to buy a soft filler, for example, a synthetic winterizer;
The soft part is cut along the contour of the seat with a margin of a couple of centimeters;
The synthetic winterizer is placed on the seat and covered with a cloth; it is attached with a stapler to the back of the seat;
After fastening, close the wrong part of the upholstery with another piece of the same fabric. And collect the chair.

Furniture stains are the most common defect. They can appear on soft surfaces or MDF panels. Most modern furniture is made from this material, so every owner should know how to clean stains. Stains can be of different origins, each stain has its own method of removal:

Fresh greasy stains can be easily washed off with a cotton pad soaked in a solution of water and liquid soap. Remaining moisture should be wiped off with a dry cloth. Do not use a large amount of water, the particle board is afraid of moisture and may swell;
If the stain is already ingrained, then remove it with alcohol or acetone. A napkin soaked in it is briefly applied to the dirt after applying the soap solution. Immediately after this, wipe the damaged area with a dry cloth;
Remove stains from varnish and paint from furniture by applying a cotton pad with acetone. It should not be left on the surface for a long time to avoid major damage;
Stains left on the surface by hot objects are removed with vodka and sunflower oil. The mixture is applied to the stain, after which it is removed, and the surface is wiped off with a cloth. When the folk method does not help, you can resort to pencils for the laminated surface.

Removal of stains from textile surfaces is carried out immediately after they appear, until they are ingrained and can be easily removed.

The furniture should be vacuumed;
Before starting work, all cleaning agents must be tested on an inconspicuous part of the upholstery. Wipe the dirt with a napkin moistened with vinegar;
The stain must be wiped off with a napkin or cotton pad soaked in soap solution. You can wait until it is absorbed and starts working on removing the stain. It is not allowed to use a large amount of water, it is better to wet only the surface layer;
It is necessary to dry the upholstery without the use of special devices; to speed up the process, windows are opened and a draft is created.

In many homes, furniture is covered with bedspreads to prevent stains. It really helps when solid contaminants get on the surface, but when it comes to stains left by liquid substances, then only removing the stains already formed can help. To make it easier, they begin to fight pollution as soon as possible.

Well, who among us would refuse to have completely wooden furniture at home? It is elegant, reliable, but expensive, and it is because of this that we are forced to purchase furniture made of chipboard, which is more susceptible to damage. But even these defects can be eliminated, even if repairing chipboard furniture with your own hands seems to be a difficult process. Now we will prove to you that you can cope with such work on your own.

Let's describe the accidental damage to furniture made of chipboard, which may well be successfully eliminated with minimal effort:

The most commonly used soft and hard wax, special retouching, as well as tint felt-tip pens or markers, PVA glue, furniture stroke, laminating edge:

Soft wax differs from hard wax in that in its original form it is immediately ready for use, that is, it does not need to be melted. But at the same time, it can be used exclusively on surfaces that have not been subject to mechanical stress.
It is much more convenient to use soft wax, but hard wax is safer.
The stroke is used to putty small damages, such as scratches, small chips, abrasions. It must be applied to the surface, wait until it dries slightly, and then sanded with a felt cloth.
The laminating edges must be glued to the already worn end surface, having previously removed and sanded the old edge.
The edge is placed on the end and passed over it with a pre-heated iron, due to which it is glued.

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Chips, as a rule, appear in the corners and are small depressions of a light color.Therefore, it is necessary to repair chips on chipboard furniture with your own hands.

In order to repair such defects, you will need:

retouching felt-tip pen or ordinary, suitable color;
hard wax;
lighter or wax melter;
spatula or chisel;
fixing spray varnish;
felt fabric.

The liquidation process consists of several successive stages.

Work the chip with a chisel so that the edges are straight.

Melt hard wax of a suitable color with a wax melter or a lighter and apply it directly to the chip with a certain margin.

When the wax is dry, use a chisel to work through each plane, carefully cutting off any excess wax. Form a clear right angle of the chipboard surface, sand lightly with a felt cloth.

It is enough to apply lines along the chip with a thin retouching felt-tip pen, in accordance with the general texture, wiping with a paper towel each time in order to smear the clear boundaries of the lines quite a bit and for greater believability.

In order to fix the seal and give the restored surface a characteristic shine, it is necessary to apply a varnish-spray treatment.

Especially often, such damage is found during the repair of children's rooms. In order to eliminate scratches, you will need all the same tools for repairing chipboard furniture that are used for sealing chips. Only now it will be more convenient to use soft wax instead of hard wax.

How to eliminate scratches - work sequence:

Using a spatula, apply the wax crosswise to the scratch while leveling and compacting it.
Use a thin retouching felt-tip pen to paint in the missing texture.
Apply a fixing varnish to fix the embedments and even out the gloss level of the surface.

Important! If wax is not available, you can use special furniture strokes to seal cracks.

Scuffs, like scratches, quite often occur on laminated chipboards due to frequent contact of foreign objects with the surface. For example, you can find them during renovations in the hallway or kitchen.

As a result, the top layer of protection and partially or completely the layer of paint are erased. In order to eliminate the abrasion that has already appeared, you must do a few simple and simple manipulations:

Pull a microfiber cloth over your finger and moisten it with a suitable colored felt tip pen.
Touch up the scuff with a napkin by rubbing along the surface structure.
Apply the fixing varnish in several small coats.

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Cracks on furniture made of chipboard are often formed under the influence of moisture, heat, or improper use in the place where the cabinet doors are attached.

To repair cabinet furniture, you will need:

clamps, they are also adjustable clamps;
PVA glue;
syringe with a needle.

The procedure for repairing chipboard furniture with your own hands in this case will be as follows:

In a syringe without a needle for the easiest and most rapid penetration, take PVA glue and put on the needle.
Use a syringe to fill the entire interior of the crack with glue.
Place a clamp on the stove on both sides of the crack, and then pull it off.
Remove excess glue with a napkin, leave in this position for about a day.
After the drying time of the glue has expired, the part will be ready for use again.

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Naturally crushed material is mixed with synthetic resins and hot pressed.

Restoration of chipboard furniture by toning, varnishing and decorating allows you to renew the facade and interior surfaces of the furnishings. In this form, it will serve for a very long time. The main materials for the restoration are paints, varnish, sandpaper.

Chipboard (particle board) is made from shavings of coniferous and deciduous trees.

The second, not too time-consuming method, is with the help of a sticky film of natural tones. No glue is required for it - its base is quite resistant, the film seizes and smoothes over the surface very well.

When working, you will need different materials. In order to disassemble old furniture, you need a screwdriver. Glue is needed only if the surface was previously coated and it came off. To clean the surface from unevenness, sandpaper and a spatula are required.

The plate produced in this way is resistant to aggressive environmental influences and has excellent sound and heat insulation properties.

A color update will require:

The easiest way to update a cabinet or table is with a simple repainting.

Before starting the restoration, degrease the slab using a detergent.

Sometimes putties are used for wooden surfaces, since the wooden massif can dry out - for further work, small cracks and cracks need to be repaired.

Such restoration of furniture will allow you to get rid of minor scratches and change the annoying shade.

Using varnish as a finishing coat, you can achieve a more effective look of the restored item, so its use will not be superfluous.

Materials may vary depending on the scope of work, vision of the end result and the method of restoration.

If there are significant defects on the surface, it is better to choose a different method.

If inserts from fabric, wallpaper, decoupage napkins, film are supposed, then scissors are needed.

To quickly dry painted surfaces, you will need a powerful hair dryer - it is better to use a construction one.

Particleboard is a specific material, and it needs to be painted using a special technique.

Use the help of household members if they have restoration skills. Maybe they will tell you how to quickly restore the chipboard with your own hands.

Prepare the tools and necessary materials - everything should be within walking distance. Since the process is going to be laborious, it is better to carry out work on a weekend.

Disassemble the furniture before starting work.

Step 1. Carefully disassemble furniture with a screwdriver.

Step 2. Degrease the surface. Sand bumps and roughness with sandpaper and a spatula. Fill cracks and cavities if necessary. Let the boards dry.

Step 3. Apply evenly tint (prefer acrylic paint) to the surface of the elements using a spray. If necessary - in 2-3 layers, taking breaks to dry them.

Step 4. Apply varnish and let it dry. Secure it with another layer.

The paint will lay evenly if there are no drafts in the room during the drying process.

If you decide to use another method - gluing the film, then the materials are taken at very inexpensive. No glue is used for this work - the reverse side of the film is sticky.

It is necessary to paint each element separately, this will allow you to more carefully work out all the joints and avoid the formation of streaks.

After drying, all facades must be wiped with a weak vinegar solution. This treatment will remove a thin film of grease that will interfere with the adhesion of the board and the self-adhesive film.

Step 1. See p. 1-2 painting instructions.

Step 2. Measure the exact amount of film. It is better to make a small allowance, as the axes can be uneven. Then it can be removed by carefully cutting it with a clerical knife.

Step 3. Smooth the glued area with force so that there are no air bubbles.

It is better to choose a film in a natural color - shades of wood, light or dark, depending on which one you like best. The advantage of the film is that it can be washed repeatedly - a high-quality coating does not lose color and does not form streaks.

If the furniture has been previously painted, you can remove the paint using special solvents or sandpaper. It will be more difficult to dismantle the coating if the facades are covered

Old furniture can not only be renovated, but also decorated, giving it an original look. Drawings or ornament are used as unusual design elements. Use a stencil cut from thick paper or a file folder for an even print overlay. You need to apply the paint very carefully so as not to splatter the areas around the ornament. It is better to place it around the perimeter.

For furniture restoration to meet expectations, the coating must be applied carefully, avoiding gaps and streaks.

A large, dull pattern looks good in large central areas or below. From above, it will "weigh down" the visual space. You can also use a combination of contrasting colorful elements - monochromatic sides and decoupage parts with plant or thematic patterns.

Do-it-yourself furniture restoration is almost complete, it remains only to bring the new coating to perfection.

You can also decorate the chipboard with your own hands using self-adhesive film or fabric appliqués.

If the defect was found after drying, the problem area must be processed again with sandpaper and covered with an additional layer of paint.

Carved elements should be introduced into the overall design with care - the slab is very fragile. When carving, use a sharp bit and emery to clean the grooves. We recommend that you first make a sketch of the future ornament - this way you can evaluate the aesthetics of the future decor.

Often a solid and reliable table is sent to the dacha link only because its design is hopelessly outdated.

Use wallpaper or patterned fabric to freshen up your painted furniture even more. Such inserts look interesting on the facades of side tables and dressers. In this case, you need glue. The fabric you need to choose is waterproof, the thin one will quickly soak and will look sloppy. This method is suitable for updating furnishings in summer cottages, apartment kitchens, bedrooms and children's rooms.

But any furniture can be given a second chance, it is enough to modernize its appearance, and external restoration will help with this.

These materials can also be used to decorate internal planes - walls and shelves. This does not require much effort, and the result often exceeds expectations.

When using decorative elements to decorate large items, don't miss the opportunity to add the same stylish touch to the rest of the environment. For example, you can enhance the consonance of colors by covering the seats of old chairs with the same fabric that was used to decorate a wardrobe or table.

The main thing is to purchase high-quality materials, carefully study the step-by-step work scheme and follow all the recommendations.

To decorate objects made of chipboard, napkins in the Victorian or Provence style are often used. Pastoral elements perfectly refresh the interior, make it light and light.

Decorating is also carried out through the use of certain paints - gold, silver, copper. They add sophistication to the furniture. They can be complemented by a spectacular-looking craquelure. For this you need a special varnish. This method is great for classic interiors, where there is a lot of vintage furniture of an unusual shape.

The easiest way to update a cabinet or table is with a simple repainting.

Small mosaic inserts made of colored glass or plastic, glued to the facade, will give a wardrobe or bedside table a new look.

The main thing is to know what material to use and how exactly, and then the restoration of furniture with your own hands will be completed quickly and with excellent results.

Coffee tables look unusual with a "kaleidoscope" of newspaper clippings. To make them motionless, glue them to the countertop. Arrange them asymmetrically, while maintaining overall compositional harmony. Then cover with glass or secure with clear varnish in two layers.

Replacement of fittings can also add a new note to the appearance of furniture. Instead of simple handles, choose a bronze or silver embossed shape. Or paint them in a different color.

After all, what could be nicer than renovating and decorating your home without significant costs.

If the furniture has legs, you can use twine for them, securing it with glue.

An old mirror can be used as an insert in one of the cabinet doors. An oval shape will look better.

But changing your favorite table or wardrobe is not at all necessary, the restoration of furniture will help, and you can do it yourself.

Do not make the decor too colorful or flashy contrast. Colors should be harmoniously matched and not annoyed by excessive eclecticism.

How to decorate furniture that has lost its former appearance, you need to come up with in advance. There are a great many ideas, so anyone can make the unpresentable look of a wardrobe or table advantageous and stylish, even at home.

When choosing the right materials and studying master classes, the updated table or cabinet will delight with its appearance for many years to come.

Laminated chipboard is difficult to restore. Defects that have arisen during transportation or intensive use are often can only be masked, not removed completely. Since this is an inexpensive material, in some cases it is easier to replace a part with noticeable scratches and chips with a new one. Chipboard restoration is only appropriate in some cases - we will consider them with examples.Laminated chipboard furniture is in every home and office. This is the most budgetary and quite worthy in appearance option of the furnishings. In more expensive versions of furniture, only the body is made of chipboard, while the front part is made of MDF with various types of cladding (PVC film, veneer, enamel) and solid wood. Surfaces of MDF and solid wood may also require restoration, but this is not about them. In this article, information on how to restore a chipboard with a laminated surface with your own hands.Do-it-yourself chipboard restoration can be of several types:

Restoration of the color of the wiped (worn out) surface.

Masking chips and scratches on the surface.

Restoration of chipped chipboard furniture ends.

Restoration of places with ripped out fasteners, hinges.

Each of the defects requires its own approach to restoration and a different set of available tools.

Furniture wax (wax putty). It is used for sealing chips, scratches, cracks on wooden and laminated surfaces of cabinet furniture, interior doors, laminate and parquet flooring. Provides moisture resistance to the restored surface.

Furniture wax (hot melt putty). Requires melting prior to use (e.g. with a lighter, soldering iron, or gas torch). It is similar in use to soft furniture wax. Recommended for the restoration of chipboard surfaces with high intensity of use (countertops, shelves, floor coverings).

Retouching means - felt-tip or alcohol-based markers, valve and fibrous. With their help, the texture of the material is completed at the site of the restoration after waxing to make it less noticeable. Ordinary felt-tip pens of shades suitable for furniture, strokes, paints, even shoe polish and iodine will also work.

Fixing varnishes, polishes (best in the form of sprays and aerosols) for surface treatment after restoration.For covering after the restoration of defects, returning surfaces to their former shine, masking abrasions and minor scratches.

Melamine edging with glue to replace the facing.

Epoxy two-component composition, PVA, dowels (chopiks), wooden plugs for filling holes from torn hinges and other fasteners.

Tools - plastic spatula, sandpaper, sanding abrasive sponge (fine), stationery knife, hairdryer or iron, chisel, non-woven napkins and finishing rags.

Often during the operation of chipboard tabletops, the lids of the pedestals wear out.

A countertop that has faded from abrasion without severe defects on the surface (deep scratches, cracks) can be restored as follows:

Choose a dye by shade. It is best to use felt-tip pens - they can moisten the rags and use soft circular motions, rubbing, to walk on the countertop until it acquires an even color. Then fix the tinting with fixing varnish.
In some cases, it is enough to treat the chipboard countertop with a polishing paste with pigment (available for sale for light and dark furniture) or polish for laminated furniture. After applying the product, the surface must be polished with special lint-free napkins.

Chips at the ends of lids and countertops, especially at radii, are not uncommon for children's and office furniture.

They can be removed altogether if the end of the furniture is glued with melamine edging. For this you need:

Purchase a new melamine edging with glue of the desired shade and thickness (it is sold by molding, usually in the same place where chipboard and furniture fittings are sold).
Remove the old edge by heating the end with an iron.
Grind the end face with a chisel and sandpaper until the chips disappear.
Apply a new melamine edging with an iron, carefully cut off the excess with a clerical knife and sand with a sponge or fine-grained sandpaper.
If necessary, go along the edge with toning - a stroke or a felt-tip pen.

If the chips are deep enough and you cannot grind them off, then such defects can only be masked:

Treat chips, remove dirt and give them a more regular shape with straight edges using a chisel.
Choose furniture wax according to the shade. Sometimes you have to mix several different crayons, it is unlikely that you will be able to find the desired color in its pure form.
Fill the chip with furniture wax slightly with an excess with a plastic spatula, compact thoroughly.
After the wax has dried, carefully cut off the excess with a spatula or utility knife until the surface is flat and straight.
Grind with a rag, if necessary restore the texture close to the general chipboard pattern using retouching felt-tip pens (with short thin lines, smearing the borders with a napkin). After - fix the result with fixing varnish.

A similar method is used with scratches and dents - they select a wax or stroke by shade, fill it until it is aligned with the surface, grind it, retouch it and process it with a fixing varnish or polish.

Do-it-yourself restoration of a chipboard cabinet may also be necessary in the case when the hinges, other fasteners from the side walls, "tears out" from excessive load.

Since the hinges cannot be moved to another place, you have to somehow strengthen, restore the place of the torn fasteners and screw them again. This can be done in the following ways:

Drill out the joint with an 8 mm drill and drive in a chopik. Then you can screw a self-tapping screw with fasteners into it, but only after drilling with a thin drill - otherwise the chopik may burst. If the edges of the chip will not overlap with fittings, by analogy with the cases discussed above, fill them with furniture wax of a suitable shade and polish.
After reaming the joint, cleaning from crumbling parts of the chipboard, you can fill it with a two-component epoxy compound or glue mixed with chips. After hardening, you can screw in the fasteners.

The front part of the chipboard furniture rarely lends itself to restoration. Similar procedures for filling scratches, cracks and dents with furniture wax are ineffective. Since light hits the surface in a different way, it is impossible to make defects subtle. Usually, they do not resort to the restoration of damaged chipboard facades, but to the actual renovation of the entire front part of the furniture:

Pasted over with wallpaper or covered with imitation leather. To do this, it is recommended to remove the facades, twist the handles - this will be more accurate.
They use photo printing, hand-painting and decoupage techniques. The drawing can be applied precisely to the place of the defect, and not over the entire surface of the chipboard facade.
Decorate the facade with self-adhesive moldings, various overlays. Find out more about furniture decor here.
Glue melamine tape in stripes of a similar or contrasting shade. If you think about the concept, such damage masking can look like a design trick.

Video (click to play).