Service
Surfaces and finishes
Original finish cleaned and revived where it is sound, and re-finished by traditional methods, including French polishing, where it is not.
What this covers
An old finish carries most of what makes a piece look old. Decades of wax, handling and light give it a depth that a new coat cannot copy, so our first question is always whether the existing surface can be saved. Often it can, with careful cleaning and a little reviving. When it cannot, we re-finish using the method the piece was made with.
- Dull, grimy or sticky surfaces that need cleaning back
- White rings, heat marks and water stains
- Scratches, dents and worn edges
- Crazed, cracked or flaking finish
- French polishing and shellac work
- Wax and oil finishes renewed
- Lacquer surfaces repaired and retouched
How we do it
We start with the gentlest method that works: solvent tests in a hidden spot, then cleaning, then reviving. Marks are reduced rather than sanded out, because sanding removes the surface that gives the piece its age.
Where a full re-finish is the right call, we match the original: shellac applied by hand with a rubber for a French polish, wax or oil where that was the maker's finish, and lacquer where the piece was lacquered. We build colour gradually and stop when it sits right beside the rest of the piece, not when it is at its shiniest.
What to send us
A photograph of the whole piece in daylight, close-ups of the worst areas, and one shot at an angle so we can see how the light catches the surface. Tell us if the piece has been polished with anything recently.
From the journal
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.
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.
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.