Easy Ways to Fix Scratches on Wood or Metal Frames

Scratches on your wooden or metal picture frames can be frustrating. Whether it's scuff from moving furniture, damage from cleaning or just daily wear and tear, those small marks can make your frames look old or neglected. And since your frames surround your photos, artwork or décor, even minor imperfections can stand out.

The good news is that you don’t have to replace the frame or pay for a professional repair. With the right tools and a bit of time, you can easily fix scratches on most wood or metal frames yourself. These simple repair methods are affordable, fast and effective. Plus, they’ll help restore your frame’s appearance and extend its life—especially if you're using high-quality wooden frames, modern metal frames or gallery-style picture frames.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through easy ways to fix scratches on both wood and metal frames, from light scuffs to deeper gouges. Whether you're working with stained hardwood, painted wood, brushed aluminum or painted steel, these tips will help you make your frames look new again.

How to Fix Scratches on Wood Picture Frames

Wood frames are classic and versatile. They come in many finishes—natural wood, painted, stained or lacquered. But all wood frames, even high-end ones, are prone to nicks, scuffs and scratches. Here's how to fix them depending on the severity of the damage.

1. Use a Wood Touch-Up Marker for Minor Surface Scratches

A wood touch-up marker, also called a furniture repair marker, is one of the easiest ways to fix small scratches on wooden picture frames.

These markers are available in various wood tones like cherry, walnut, mahogany, oak and black. They are designed to blend in with the existing finish and fill in fine lines or faded spots.

How to use it:

• First, clean the frame with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust or oil.

• Choose a marker that closely matches your frame’s finish.

• Lightly apply the marker to the scratch, following the grain of the wood.

• Wipe away excess with a clean cloth before it dries.

• Repeat if needed to darken the scratch.

Touch-up markers are especially effective for shallow scratches and scuff marks where the surface stain or paint has rubbed off but the wood itself isn’t damaged.

Best for: Light scratches and worn edges on stained or painted wood frames
Tools needed: Touch-up marker, soft cloth
Time required: Under 5 minutes

2. Rub a Walnut Over the Scratch for Natural Wood Finishes

This may sound odd but it works: the natural oils in walnuts can help reduce the appearance of scratches on bare or lightly finished wood frames. The walnut oil darkens the scratch and fills the gap temporarily, blending it with the surrounding wood.

How to do it:

• Break open a walnut and rub the meat of the nut directly onto the scratch.

• Use a circular motion and cover the scratch completely.

• Let the oil sit for 2–3 minutes.

• Buff with a soft cloth.

This method doesn’t work well on painted or sealed wood but is great for natural or lightly stained wood finishes. It’s a quick, no-cost fix if you have walnuts in your kitchen.

Best for: Light scratches on natural or unfinished wood
Tools needed: Walnut, soft cloth
Time required: 5–10 minutes

3. Use Wood Filler or Putty for Deeper Scratches and Gouges

For deeper scratches or small gouges in wooden frames, you’ll need something that fills the damage completely. Wood filler or wood putty is designed for this purpose and can be sanded and painted or stained to match the rest of the frame.

How to apply:

• Clean the area around the scratch.

• Use a putty knife to press wood filler into the damaged area.

• Smooth the surface and remove excess.

• Allow it to dry fully (check product instructions).

• Lightly sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper until smooth.

• Apply stain or paint if needed to match the frame.

This fix takes a bit more time but is worth it for serious damage, especially on expensive wooden picture frames.

Best for: Deep scratches, chips, gouges
Tools needed: Wood filler, putty knife, sandpaper, stain or paint
Time required: 30–60 minutes including drying time

4. Use Shoe Polish for Dark Wood Frames

Dark-colored frames can sometimes show scratches more than lighter ones. If you don’t have a touch-up marker or if you want a quick alternative, paste-style shoe polish works well.

Steps:

• Choose a polish color close to the frame finish.

• Apply a small amount to a soft cloth or cotton swab.

• Rub into the scratch and blend outward.

• Let it sit for a few minutes, then buff lightly.

This is a quick cosmetic fix that helps hide scratches on dark-stained wooden frames like espresso, black walnut or mahogany.

Best for: Minor scratches on dark wood
Tools needed: Shoe polish, cloth
Time required: 5–10 minutes

How to Fix Scratches on Metal Picture Frames

Metal frames—especially aluminum, stainless steel or powder-coated steel—are sleek and modern. But just like wood, they can show wear over time. Scratches on metal frames are often more noticeable due to the shiny or painted finish. Here’s how to fix them:

1. Buff Surface Scratches with a Non-Abrasive Pad

Light scratches or marks on brushed metal or anodized aluminum frames can often be buffed out using a non-abrasive pad or microfiber cloth.

Steps:

• Clean the area with mild soap and water.

• Dry thoroughly with a microfiber cloth.

• Rub gently in the direction of the grain or finish using a non-scratch pad.

• If needed, follow up with a tiny amount of car polish or metal cleaner.

Be gentle—too much pressure can create more scratches.

Best for: Light surface marks or cleaning smudges
Tools needed: Non-abrasive pad, soap, microfiber cloth
Time required: 10 minutes

2. Use Touch-Up Paint for Scratched Painted Metal

If your metal frame has a painted or coated finish (like black, white or gold), a visible scratch can expose the base metal underneath. The best fix here is touch-up paint.

How to use:

• Clean and dry the scratched area.

• Shake the touch-up paint pen or bottle well.

• Use a fine brush or applicator to dab paint into the scratch.

• Let dry fully before handling.

For best results, use multiple thin coats rather than one thick one.

Best for: Painted or powder-coated metal frames
Tools needed: Touch-up paint or pen, fine brush
Time required: 15–30 minutes (including drying)

3. Polish Bare Metal Frames to Reduce Visibility

If your metal frame has a brushed or shiny bare finish, such as stainless steel or chrome, metal polish can help reduce or soften the appearance of scratches.

Steps:

• Apply a small amount of polish to a soft cloth.

• Rub in small, circular motions over the scratch.

• Wipe off excess and buff with a clean cloth.

This won’t eliminate deep scratches but it can restore shine and minimize surface flaws.

Best for: Polished or brushed aluminum, stainless steel, chrome
Tools needed: Metal polish, soft cloth
Time required: 10–15 minutes

4. Fill Shallow Scratches with a Wax Crayon

Colored wax sticks or repair crayons work surprisingly well on metal frames—especially if you want a fast cosmetic fix.

How to use:

• Rub the crayon into the scratch until it’s filled.

• Wipe gently to remove excess.

• Buff with a soft cloth to blend.

This method won’t repair the scratch permanently but it covers it well for display purposes.

Best for: Shallow scratches on colored or coated metal
Tools needed: Wax crayon or filler stick, cloth
Time required: 5 minutes

Tips to Prevent Future Frame Scratches

• Always handle frames with clean hands or gloves to avoid oils and grit.

• Use soft cloths (never paper towels) when cleaning frames.

• Wrap frames in soft cloth or bubble wrap when moving or storing them.

• Use felt pads or rubber bumpers behind frames to avoid rubbing against walls.

• Avoid hanging frames in high-traffic areas where they might get bumped.

Final Thoughts

Scratches happen—but they don’t have to ruin the look of your frames. Whether you have scratched wood frames or metal picture frames with surface damage, there’s usually a fast, affordable fix that can restore their appearance.

Use a wood marker, filler, or walnut for wooden frames. Go with paint, polish or touch-up pens for metal frames. Always match the fix to the frame material and the depth of the scratch.

With these simple tricks, your picture frames can look new again—without the cost of replacements or professional help.