Service
Painted and gilded surfaces
Flaking paint, worn gilding and lacquered panels consolidated and retouched with the same care we give to frames and works of art.
What this covers
Painted, lacquered and gilded surfaces are closer to artworks than to furniture finishes. They crack and lift as the timber underneath moves, and once a flake of paint or gold has fallen it is gone. The aim is to secure what is there first, then to retouch losses so the eye reads the surface as whole.
- Flaking, cracking or lifting paint
- Worn, rubbed or missing gilding
- Chipped and cracked lacquer
- Lacquer-painted and decorated panels
- Gilded mirror and picture frames
- Old overpaint and discoloured varnish
How we do it
Loose paint and lacquer are consolidated first: an adhesive is fed under the lifting areas and they are gently laid back down. Only once the surface is stable do we fill losses and retouch, matching colour and sheen by eye under good light.
Gilding is cleaned, consolidated and, where needed, re-gilded with leaf and toned so new gold does not shine brighter than the old. These are the same methods our group uses on frames and paintings, applied to furniture and objects.
What to send us
A photograph of the whole piece, close-ups of the flaking or worn areas, and one photograph taken without flash so we can see the true colour. If paint is actively falling off, lay the piece flat and keep any flakes in an envelope.
From the journal
What "reversible" means in restoration
What reversible restoration means for antique and heirloom furniture, why it matters for value, and how it shapes the materials a restorer uses.
Cleaning old furniture without damaging it
How to clean antique and heirloom furniture safely at home, what to avoid, and why spray furniture polish usually does more harm than good.
Why old furniture cracks in air-conditioned rooms
Why antique and heirloom furniture splits and loosens in air-conditioned Singapore homes, and what to do about placement and repair.
Have a piece that needs attention?
Send three or four photographs and we will come back within two working days.