Antique Restoration

Antique Restoration Materials

Restoring an antique is often about preserving as much of the original material and finish as possible. Our range of antique restoration products includes traditional materials for cleaning, repairing, polishing, refinishing and protecting antique furniture, clocks, woodwork and other period items.

From furniture waxes and polish revivers to French polish, wood dyes, fillers, oils and specialist metal treatments, we supply products suitable for both professional restoration work and careful restoration at home.

Furniture Restoration and Wood Care

Antique furniture can often be improved without completely stripping or re-polishing the original finish. Products such as furniture polish, polish reviver, traditional waxes and wood cleaners can be used to clean away accumulated dirt and polish residue while helping to retain the character of the existing finish.

For repairs and finishing work, we also stock wax fillers, wood dyes, wood stains, French polish, shellac products and finishing oils. These can be useful when repairing small areas of damage, matching colour or carrying out more extensive restoration where the original finish is no longer suitable.

Traditional Furniture Polishes and Waxes

Traditional waxes remain an important part of antique furniture care. Furniture wax can help enhance the appearance of timber, add depth to a finish and provide a protective surface. Our range includes clear and coloured furniture waxes, beeswax-based products and traditional wax polishes.

For furniture with an existing polished finish, a suitable polish reviver may be preferable to completely removing the original finish. Always test any restoration product on a small, inconspicuous area first, particularly when working on valuable or historic furniture.

French Polish, Shellac and Wood Finishing

For traditional furniture finishing and restoration, we stock a selection of French polishes, shellac products and wood finishing materials. These are suitable for projects where a traditional polished wood finish is required, including furniture restoration, cabinet making and repair work.

Different grades and colours of French polish can produce very different results, so choose a product appropriate for the existing timber and the finish you are trying to achieve.

Wood Dyes, Stains and Colour Matching

Wood dyes and stains can be used when restoring antique furniture, matching repaired areas or changing the colour of suitable bare timber. Our range includes wood dyes and stains in a variety of colours, including products suitable for furniture, marquetry, inlay and other woodworking projects.

When restoring an antique, it is important to consider the colour of the surrounding original timber rather than simply choosing the darkest or closest-looking colour. Always test the product on an offcut or concealed area where possible.

Metal Restoration and Antiquing

Antique restoration is not limited to wood. We also stock specialist products for brass, copper, iron, steel, pewter and other suitable metals, including metal cleaners, polishing products, rust removers and antiquing or patination treatments.

Antiquing products can be useful when restoring or replacing the appearance of period hardware such as cabinet locks, hinges, handles, castors and other decorative metal fittings. The correct product will depend on the metal, its existing finish and the appearance you want to achieve.

Clock and Horological Restoration

Our antique restoration range also includes materials suitable for clock and horological restoration. These include clock cleaning products, clock oils, case restoration products, lacquers and specialist materials for restoring clock dials and other components.

For specialist clock restoration products, see our dedicated Clock & Horological Restoration range.

Choosing the Right Antique Restoration Product

The best restoration method depends on the condition, material and original finish of the item. Where possible, it is usually sensible to start with the least aggressive method and only progress to more extensive restoration if necessary.

If you are unsure which product is suitable, check the individual product instructions and always test on a small, inconspicuous area before treating the whole item. This is particularly important when working on valuable, delicate or historically important antiques.