How to Fix a Cracked Table Wood Inlay

Fine furniture, such as a table with a wood inlay, adds beauty and charm to your room. Environmental and structural factors, such as the swelling and shrinking of the finish or glue joints that have failed, can contribute toward a crack in your table's wooden inlay. A crack in the wood doesn't have to create permanent damage in your table's surface. You can fix the cracked inlay with a few supplies and techniques.

Paintbrush
Wood filler
Small wood shavings
Metal scraper
100-grit sandpaper
Clean cloths
Shellac
Wood finish

Instructions

- 1
  Remove debris that's settled in the cracked inlay by brushing it out with a paintbrush.
- 2
  Squeeze wood filler into the crack to form a single layer. Pack the crack with wood shavings to avoid having to fill the entire space with wood filler.
- 3
  Apply another layer of wood filler on top of the wood shavings. Smooth it over the crack with a metal scraper, allowing the filled area to mound slightly over the level of the rest of table.
- 4
  
  Smooth the surface and prepare it for wood finish with sandpaper.
  
  Allow the filler to air-dry overnight. Smooth the surface and bring it level with the rest of the table by sanding it with 100-grit sandpaper.
- 5
  Remove dust from the wood surface by wiping the table with a dry cloth.
- 6
  Brush a layer of shellac over the repaired area to provide a surface to which the wood finish can adhere. Allow the shellac to dry for five to seven hours.
- 7
  Apply wood finish to the repaired area of the wood table inlay. Use several light coats to achieve a finish that matches the surrounding areas. Allow the finish to dry completely before using the table.

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