- 1). Assess the desk to determine what repairs need to be made. Test doors and drawers for proper operation. Remove drawers and examine the drawer box for tight joints. Check the legs to make sure they are sturdy and well attached. Take note of any worn spots in the finish, any trim that is loose and any areas that are dinged or chipped.
- 2). Tighten all screws and bolts. Reinforce any loose legs and other structural pieces. Scrape old glue from loose joints with a razor scraper or wood chisel. Apply wood glue, and realign loose joints with pipe clamps. Tighten the clamps to hold the joint in place for four to six hours as glue hardens. Glue down any loose trim or other pieces, and clamp them in place, as well.
- 3). Add L brackets to strengthen joints that seem especially vulnerable. Choose the appropriate size bracket. Set it in place at any 90-degree angle, and mark the desk through the screw holes in the bracket. Tap an awl with a hammer in each marked location, and reposition the L bracket, lined up with these marks. Drive screws through the holes in the bracket into the desk to attach it, using a cordless drill. Use screws short enough to prevent breaking through the material of the desk.
- 4). Repair desk drawer corners using L brackets on the inside of the corners. Tighten all drawer guides and other hardware screws with a screwdriver, not a drill, to prevent stripping. Repair stripped holes by inserting a matchstick. Break the match off even with the surface, and drive the screw into the hole firmly. The matchstick will cause the screw to tighten. Tighten hinge screws, as well.
- 5). Replace hinges or drawer guides that are beyond repair. Remove the original hardware, and take it with you to the hardware store for comparison. Purchase hardware of the same size with the same screw pattern, for easy replacement. Follow the instructions with your hardware for best results. In general, position the hardware the same as the original, and install screws into the original holes.
- 6). Fill any chips or dings with wood filler. Allow it to harden, and sand the repair smooth. Brush a matching coat of stain over repaired areas. Use an artist brush to apply the stain, and test the color on a small, inconspicuous spot before using on larger, more noticeable areas. Apply stain to scratches to conceal them.
- 7). Lightly sand the old finish with 220-grit paper before applying a coat of clear finish to the entire desk with a soft bristle brush to repair the finish. Work in long, straight, even strokes, and work to prevent runs and drips. Allow the finish to dry thoroughly before returning the desk to normal use.
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