How do I fix burn on outdoor rug?

Amy Rose Gill
by Amy Rose Gill

I have a burn mark on my outdoor rug that I am trying to fix. Can anyone recommend a way to fix it without having to buy a new rug?

  8 answers
  • Gk Gk on Jul 12, 2019

    I would scrape off as much of the brown burn mark as I could with a plastic spatula or credit card and then buy some small bottles of acrylic paint and touch it up. You might even try a light sanding with fine grit sandpaper--carefully--so you are just sanding the burn mark and are only removing the discolored area--not all of the rug fibers. It looks like a very small mark so this may help you disguise it.

  • Mad29883817 Mad29883817 on Jul 12, 2019

    Try and scrape out fabric of carpet from underneath and use superglue to glue in what u scrape out

  • Callie Callie on Jul 12, 2019

    I’m pretty sure you can’t restore the texture, but magic markers in the colors of the rug could mask the burn.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jul 12, 2019

    Hello, I would consider touching it up with acrylic paints. The type you see at Walmart or the craft store for about $.50 per color. I would suggest the flat sheen over the satin or gloss.

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Jul 12, 2019

    The link to the post above shows using hydrogen peroxide. Be very cautious with this as it can bleach out the carpet.

    • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Jul 13, 2019

      3% hydrogen peroxide shouldn’t bleach any of the synthetic fibers. This carpet is not cotton, nor wool, based on the “melting pattern” of the burn.

  • Jan Clark Jan Clark on Jul 12, 2019

    Yup. You can't "fix" it but you can disguise it. Scrub up all the scorched marks and use a permanent marker or acrylic paint to recolor the area. Looks like you'll need 4 colors to replace the pattern: teal, ecru, tan and light blue. Take this pic with you to the store to match the colors as best you can. For paints, if in doubt, go with a lighter color or mix in some ecru or white to soften the color. I'd use a stencil brush to dab it on. Keep the paints and brush handy in case it wears off over time.

  • Mindshift Mindshift on Jul 12, 2019

    The first answer with the link provides a very good starting place. You need to remove as much burnt color from the fibers as possible. The rug in the link is an off-white, which is why the hydrogen peroxide works very well to finish lightening the burn mark. Hydrogen peroxide should also work on your rug, especially the off-white, while not removing color from the pattern.

    Nonetheless, the colors may be more difficult to fix. Permanent marker colors are limited, so it's unlikely you will find a match. I would buy near matches of acrylic craft paint in 2 oz bottles for the teal and pale blue areas, if needed. Adjust a too dark color by adding some white. Any acrylic paint should be permanent once dry and cured.