Can I Repair This Scratched Wok?

Faith Durand
Faith DurandSenior Vice President of Content at AT Media
Faith is the SVP of Content at Apartment Therapy Media and former Editor-in-Chief of The Kitchn. She is the author of three cookbooks, including the James Beard Award-winning, The Kitchn Cookbook. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and two daughters.
published Jun 1, 2012
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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Q: Last weekend I found that my guests scraped up my wok by using the wrong tongs. Now it’s showing signs of rust and I was wondering if there was any product or way to repair it? It has a lot of sentimental value since it was given to me as gift from my mom four years ago.

Sent by Juan

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Editor: Juan, it’s hard for me to tell from the photos, but it looks like your wok is nonstick. Does it have a Teflon or other nonstick coating on it? If it’s nonstick, then it is probably not repairable. In fact, it’s best not to use nonstick woks at all, as they are not good for high heat, and all stir-fry cooking is done over high heat.

If, though, your wok is actually stainless or carbon steel, then follow Grace Young’s instructions here to give your wok a “facial” —

Readers, any advice?