Frame Repair?
 

HI -

I have a used frame that was given to me that I would like to use sometime soon.

It's wood with multiple ridges cut into it. It is in perfect condition except one small area that has a bit of a gouge. I can repair the gouged ridges with carpenter's wood, I think, if I am careful.

But I am not sure with what to match the color. It is finished in a light gold color - but it doesn't look like the gold frames I buy from my JFM that are painted with some sort of a gold paint. It is shinier. Could it be real gold? How can I tell? How would I go about matching it - gold leaf? Or would it be better to just refinish the whole thing and avoid the issue?