Metal Restoration

Metal Restoration Products

Our range of metal restoration products is designed for cleaning, polishing, preparing, colouring, antiquing and protecting suitable metal surfaces. From traditional metal cleaners and polishing products to specialist patination treatments, rust removers and protective finishes, we stock materials for a wide range of restoration projects.

Products are available for working with metals including brass, copper, bronze, silver, iron and steel, although suitability varies between products. Always check the individual product instructions before use.

Metal Cleaners and Polishes

Cleaning is often the first stage of metal restoration. Our range includes metal cleaners, brass cleaners, silver polish and specialist cleaning solutions for removing dirt, tarnish, oxidation and other surface contamination from suitable metals.

For antique and decorative metalwork, the aim is not always to achieve a bright, polished finish. In some cases, careful cleaning can reveal the existing surface and patina without unnecessarily removing the character of the original piece.

Brass and Copper Restoration

Brass and copper are commonly found on antique furniture, clocks, architectural fittings and decorative objects. We stock products specifically intended for cleaning, polishing, antiquing and protecting brass and copper.

Depending on the condition of the metal and the finish required, restoration may involve cleaning and polishing the surface, removing tarnish or applying a controlled antiquing treatment to reproduce or enhance an aged appearance.

Metal Antiquing and Patination

Metal antiquing and patination products can be used to change the appearance of suitable metal surfaces and create an aged or weathered finish. Our range includes black and brown antiquing fluids, Curator antiquing products, patination treatments and specialist products for particular metals.

These products can be useful when restoring period metalwork, matching an existing aged finish or giving new metal components a more traditional appearance. The result depends on the metal, its preparation and the particular product being used.

Rust Removal and Rusting Treatments

Rust can be an important part of the restoration process, whether it needs to be removed from an existing metal object or deliberately recreated as part of a decorative aged finish.

Our range includes rust removers, rust converters and specialist rusting solutions. Rust removal products can be used when preparing suitable iron and steel surfaces, while products such as Curator Rusting Solution are designed to accelerate rusting where a controlled aged appearance is required.

Protecting Restored Metal

Once metal has been cleaned or restored, a suitable protective finish can help maintain its appearance. We stock protective oils, metal lacquers and other finishing products for suitable applications.

The correct protective treatment depends on the type of metal, the environment and the finish you want to retain. Some products are intended for particular metals or applications, so always check the manufacturer’s instructions before applying a protective coating.

Silver and Precious Metal Care

Our metal restoration range also includes products for silver care and specialist metal restoration, including silver polish and silver plating products. These can be useful for restoring suitable decorative objects, fittings and other metal items.

When working on valuable or antique silver and other precious metal objects, take care not to remove more of the original surface than necessary. Test any cleaning or polishing treatment carefully before applying it to the whole item.

Metal Restoration for Clocks and Horological Items

Metal restoration is an important part of clock and horological restoration. Antique clocks can contain brass, steel and other metal components that require careful cleaning, degreasing, polishing or protection.

Our range includes specialist clock cleaning products, horological cleaning solutions and other materials suitable for working on clock and watch components. For more specialist horological products, see our dedicated Clock & Horological Restoration range.

Choosing the Right Metal Restoration Product

The best product depends on the metal, its existing condition and the finish you want to achieve. A tarnished brass component may require a different treatment from rusty steel, while an antique object with an original patina may need a much gentler approach than newly fabricated metal.

Before starting, identify the metal and assess the existing finish. Where possible, test the product on a small, inconspicuous area first. This is particularly important when restoring antique, valuable or historically significant metalwork.

By choosing the appropriate cleaner, polish, antiquing treatment, patination product or protective finish, you can approach each stage of metal restoration with greater control while preserving as much of the original character as possible.