How To: Fill and touch-up a gouge on a table edge

To fill a gouge on a table edge you start by using auto body filler. Auto body filler is a two part substance. The catalyst is red and the resin is grey. When they are properly mixed it will be a uniform pink color. To keep the substance from spilling out of the damaged area put a piece of tape on the side of the table. Take some filler and force it down into the cavity formed by the tape along the side of the table. Let it dry for 3-4 minutes. Take the tape off and use a knife to trim off the excess filler. If you let it sit too long it will become so hard that the only way you will be able to do anything to shape the filler is with a file. After it dries use some sandpaper to sand it flat and smooth. Don't sand onto the table anymore than you have to. The next step involves using artist acrylic colors to paint the patched area. You will have to blend the colors until you get a color that matches the color of the table. With acrylic paints you can keep going over it until you get the color just right. So be patient until you get the color just right.