We have - I think there is no way to avoid it. I love the minwax pencils! Much better than any other's I've tried and I've tried several.

http://www.minwax.com/products/wood_maintenance_and_repair/blend_fil_pencil.html#Colors

You can mix two colors to get your exact if you need to... Just push in, scrape off what isn't needed with your fingernail. :) My husband couldn't tell I've done any repairs.

I like the stain markers (also Minwax) better than the crayons for hiding scratches, although the crayons are better for big holes.

If you can't find a marker that matches, you CAN use stain out of a can (find a close one or mix your own). Just dab in a paper towel corner, apply, wipe off.

Or yeah, just stop taking closeup pictures!

No nicks yet, though light rail has only been up for maybe a month? But I did have to fill in all the nail holes, cuz DIY DH refuses to consider buying a brad gun, and I get to fill in not only the holes, but all the 'whoops' marks where the nail set slipped! :>) Besides the wax markers, I have used Sharpies (bought two different sets of 24 to get all possible shades of brown), and of course the stain. I just keep all three touch up tools in the kitchen drawer.

The close up photos are the worst. My Mom sent me some of her crown molding, and I was aghast at all the imperfections! When I was there in real life, couldn't see one problem!

Thanks everyone! I will check out Minwax crayons & stain markers, Sharpies, and stains! Hopefully I'll find one or more things to fix the issues!

PCJS & Fori...where did you buy your Minwax crayons/markers? Home Depot or similar?

*sigh* you're so right, Lowspark! I guess I have to get over wanting everything to look "new" forever and realize that if we're going to use our kitchen I should expect the occasional ding or nick!

The honeymoon is over!

...and I guess no more very close closeups...those days are over, too!

Raehelen, where did you find your Sharpie sets?

HD, Lowes or Target - Can't remember which. Just get a mix of everything and see what works best - you can also order more from your manuf. - I did from Kraftmaid, but hated them at they don't match well.

Rachenen - if your husband refuses to buy himself a tool, you go be the wife who then goes and buys all the tools, like me - I buy all the tools in the house - no refusing here. I just show up with what we need after researching the best one online. :)

Buehl,

Here in my home town there is a liquidation place called MTF where they sell all kinds of surplus and salvage- I love to frequent the stationary section- I probably have enough pens to last the rest of my lifetime! (Must be the teacher in me!) Anyhow I was lucky enough to get two different sets one for $5 and one for $8. Now these are sets of 24 colours, not just browns- but I find the smaller sets often don't have browns in them.

pcjs- funnily enough I do buy DH a lot of his tools- like the water saw he pooh poohed (and he's used already for the fireplace hearth). I got him the compound mitre saw, and many others... It's just the idea of an air compressor I guess kinda scares me off and if he's not going to use it anyways... Anyhow, you have any recommendations for a nailer? :>)

HD, Lowe's, any hardware store for Minwax.

Sharpies can be found with a full color assortment at craft stores (Michael's, JoAnn). I used a dark brown one to cover old paint spatters on the dark upper moulding in my old house. Sometimes nothing else will work.