Using an eyedropper or kitchen baster will give you more control over where you apply the water. If there’s any serious breakage or chipping around the dent, you may need to have the surface repaired professionally to avoid making it worse.
It may be a good idea to use an old t-shirt, dusting rag or some other piece of fabric that you don’t care about potentially ruining. If the dent is located on the side or corner of a piece of furniture, you might need to hold the cloth in place with your free hand while you steam the wood. [3] X Research source
The deeper the water penetrates into the wood, the more effective the steaming process will be.
The iron will be very hot after you’ve turned it on. Touching the surface could result in a painful burn. When you’re not using the iron, set it on a hard, level surface where it won’t get tipped over.
The heat from the iron (coupled with the moisture of the water) will cause the compressed wood in the dent to swell, returning it to its original form. Try not to let the iron sit in one place for too long, or it may scorch the cloth or the wood underneath. [6] X Research source
Between attempts, be sure to dampen the cloth with fresh water or grab a fresh paper towel. You might not be able to remove deep dents entirely. However, steaming will help to level them out and make them less noticeable. [8] X Research source
The heat of the iron will have evaporated most of the moisture, but it may take a few hours to regain its full hardness and rigidity. The wood will shrink somewhat as it dries, which can cause problems if you begin sanding or putting pressure on it too soon.
Use light, smooth strokes to avoid scratching the wood surface, which may have been weakened by the dent.
A water-based satin varnish is a great option for a protective finish. In most cases, a single coat will do to cover up the spot where the dent was. Allow the refinished surface to air dry overnight before touching it.
For bigger jobs, have a woodworker cut a special wood inlay to fit the damaged area. [13] X Research source Afterwards, the repaired surface will likely need to be resealed or stained.
