Demonic Clawing Cats!!

[cleanfreak]

My cats have managed to claw my stained wooden banisters! I am looking to sell my house shortly and obviously this looks a little off putting, anyone got any tips of a quick fix rather than sanding the whole lot down and re-staining??

[tony1941]

Try a dark woodstain applied with a rag.  You want one which is a bit darker than the colour of your banisters.  Alternatively, try  "Topps Scratch Remover" - probably cheaper as it's only a small bottle.  In either case, after several applications, when it looks about right, apply wax polish.

[cleanfreak]

Fab...Thanks a lot for that, will let you know how I get on!

[ursula62]

Or wax crayon - don't laugh - a quick fix for scratches on french polish is a wax crayon - OK they're not kid's ones they are specially made in particular colours to match various types of wood, but they are still wax crayons!  You can get them in most hardware stores.

[tony1941]

Good thinking, Ursula62!  I'd forgotten about "Liberon" brand finishes and wax crayons, even though I've got a selection in one of my 200 or so tool boxes.  I've had good results on polished furniture with them, but I would still start with a stain for speed if the area is large.