Articles & Guides

Below we are going to show you a simple step by step guide on how to restore and repair Gilding. This can be done on new or antique gilding including gilt frames, furniture and mirrors. We show you how to repair an antique mirror with easy to use gilding wax, to bring it back to its former glory.

• Restoration

Below is a simple step by step guide on how to lime wood. This is especially effective on hardwoods like limed Oak furniture but can also be used on some softwoods like Pine. Originally, a Limewash was used as a liquid form whereas today it is produced using a far less messy and easy to use Liming Wax / Paste.

• Restoration

Below is a guide on how to remove cup ring marks from your furniture using traditional techniques. There are several methods you can use but these are the most effective. Cup ring marks are usually caused by spillages or damp areas under cups and vases. This causes the water or dampness to get trapped under the polished surface leaving a white haze. Cup ring marks can look very unsightly and can de-value antique furniture drastically so it is essential they are removed as quickly as possible.

• Restoration

On this article, we are going to teach you how to strip wood professionally on furniture, ready for re-finishing. Firstly, you should always assess the condition of the wood on your furniture as to whether it requires fully stripping or if it will revive using our Priory Polishes Polish Reviver. We would always recommend to retain the original patina whenever possible and our Polish Reveiver is designed to do this. Stripping off old varnish and polish is an important part of the preparation process, before re-finishing, as it involves a lot of care and attention to detail. The better the preparation will result in a better finish.

• Restoration

Ebonizing wood furniture was very popular in the late 19^th Century especially during the Arts and Crafts Movement. The process to Ebonise wood was a technique used by French polishers to produce a very dark or black finish to resemble the very dark and expensive timber Ebony. Ebonizing furniture actually originated in much earlier times, seen as far back as the 16th century in Jacobean furniture.

• Restoration

Woodworm are very small beetles that bore into your wood and if left for a long length of time can eat away at your furniture and weaken the construction. Woodworm actually starts as a larvae but once they fully mature, they turn into adult beetles that can fly and spread to other wood within your home. The adult woodworm will produce larger holes and can eat away faster. They mainly only eat softwoods such as pine, as hardwoods are too strong for them. They can eat some hard woods when the timber is damp and softer.

• Restoration

Over a period of time due to its nature, leather tends to become dry, brittle and worn. In most cases, the original leather can be cleaned, revived and this will often enhance the character of a piece. There are several methods you can use in Leather care and below are some simple cleaning techniques.

• Restoration

Learn how to clean Brass handles with this simple and easy method below. This works perfect on all solid brass handles, old antique vintage handles and even door handles.

As most handles get very grubby and tarnished over time from use, they can become, black, dull and seized. This is mainly because damp in the atmosphere, years of dirt and grease that has been collected from use.

• Restoration

It is very annoying when you see wood scratches in your furniture. It can actually devalue antique furniture if very prominent and new looking. Below we have several ways how to repair a scratch in wood furniture, using different methods.

Firstly you need to determine how deep the scratch is and what the finish is on the piece of furniture.

• Restoration

This article will teach you how to French polish professionally using shellac or button Polish and also offer an insight into the history, techniques and products needed to French polish your furniture to a beautiful sheen. This technique has been used for centuries on wood furniture, musical instruments such as Pianos and Guitars and used in the restoration of antiques.

• Restoration