Frame is distracting from content

September 24, 2009 9:44 PM

Is there an easy fix for a faint scratch on an pure black picture frame?

I have artwork finished and framed and only just now noticed a faint scratch on the frame. The frame is the basic all-black style that is very common now. I do think the frame is wood, but it is completely smooth--no wood grain shows so that the black looks like a lacquer or enamel. The scratch is very faint; it only mars the topmost finish.

Has anyone had any luck with those touch-up pens for wood scratches? Any other suggestions? (not an option to repaint or refinish: the piece is out of my hands in a couple of days so it's either an easy fix or leave it as is) But now that I know the scratch is there, I can't look at anything else!

posted by Eicats to media & arts (9 comments total)

I've used wood stain pens before - fixed all of the scratches in the floor perfectly, then by morning, had completely disappeared and the scratches were back. I guess there was still some polyurethane left on the floor.

A black sharpie would be what I would use, but it may be not enough/too shiny compared to the frame. Try it on the back?
posted by artychoke at 9:52 PM on September 24

I'd use India ink, and maybe some wax over it for shine.
posted by anadem at 9:59 PM on September 24

A Sharpie will be a bad idea; they have reflective pigments that show bronze/purple.
posted by opossumnus at 10:05 PM on September 24

I'm not sure I'd use a Sharpie because it may end up darker than the frame color.

First thing I'd do is try to polish it out with a cloth. Don't know if that would work...

It's hard to make a suggestion without seeing the finish of the material, because when you say black enamel or lacquer, I think of that super-shiny plasticky looking material, but when you say basic all-black style that's popular, I'm thinking of more like a more medium to low gloss black Doc Marten shoe leather type finish.

If it's the latter rather than the former, you could try something waxy like a black crayon, or even experiment with black shoe polish. Heck, you might even try a candle.

The other thing, depending on how artistic/crazy you are, is that you could just distress-finish the frame. If the whole frame is scratched up and dented, it'd be less distracting than one eye-catching scratch.
posted by MegoSteve at 10:11 PM on September 24

If it's true black, a crayon will work better than one of those touch up pens.
posted by Gucky at 10:18 PM on September 24 [1 favorite]

Try a little black nail polish with a touch of thinner in it. You'll have to experiment and find the right consistency/colour. Use either a very,very fine painters brush or even a pointy toothpick (unused haha) if its as fine as it sounds. You'll need a very steady hand also. Rest your wrist on something and have the frame beside it. Try a small spot on the back to test it ( and your hand) first. Draw your fingers holding the brush/toothpick towards you gently. You may even find using a magnifying glass useful. And don't forget your patience.

Good luck!
posted by Taurid at 10:47 PM on September 24

Black shoe polish.
posted by hortense at 11:07 PM on September 24

Seconding black shoe polish. I used it to touch up my dark brown/black furniture that got dinged in my move, worked like a charm.
posted by emilyd22222 at 6:31 AM on September 25

My first thought was wondering if shoe polish would work! It sounds like that wasn't such a crazy thought after all. With luck, I actually have a bit of black shoe polish--and crayons--at home. When I get there (damn work, you're such an annoying distraction!), I'll test a bit of shoe polish on the back. Hopefully that will work. Back up plan is the crayon.

I'm very familiar with the sharpie color tone (and micron, etc.) so I know the marker ink won't work. India ink...maybe. But I think shoe polish would be easier, and with the testimonial, I feel safer trying that.

Thanks everyone for your great tips!
posted by Eicats at 7:42 AM on September 25