Frequently Asked Questions

Timings vary by size and condition. Small pieces may take a few days; full restorations with multiple shellac layers can take longer due to drying and rubbing between coats.

When done with pad-applied shellac and careful colour matching, French polishing preserves original surfaces and can maintain or enhance value by restoring period-accurate finish.

Delaying allows stains to set and surface layers to deteriorate, increasing the scope and cost of repair. Early shellac rebuilds protect original wood and limits invasive repairs.

Ignoring worn shellac exposes timber to moisture and abrasion, which can cause permanent colour loss and deeper damage that needs more extensive restoration.

Yes. We use colour matching with dyes and thin shellac layers plus pumice pore-filling to blend repairs and restore consistent tone and sheen.

Yes. On-site pad application and final buffing are standard for fixed or oversized furniture to avoid risky removal and ensure finish continuity.

Avoid water, use coasters, and polish lightly with a soft cloth. Written aftercare guidance is supplied after the work to protect shellac layers and patina.

Costs vary by scope, door count and damage. We provide a free, itemised written quote after inspection or photos, so you know labour and materials costs up front.

Refinishing restores natural grain and period finishes that paint hides. It preserves timber character and can be preferable for original or veneered doors.

Timings depend on door count and site choice. Typical projects complete in days to a couple of weeks, with a clear schedule included in your written quote.

Peeling finish exposes timber to moisture and dirt, which accelerates staining and warping. This can double restoration complexity compared with early refinishing, so prompt action reduces cost and material loss.

Careful labelling and removal prevents damage. We store and protect hardware, then refit to original alignment to avoid hinge wear and misalignment.

Delaying refit can lead to incorrect hinge alignment and wear from temporary fixes, potentially adding up to 30% extra labour and parts cost compared with timely refitting.

Both options are available. We can refinish on-site to limit transport, or collect doors for workshop work and return them fully refitted to your schedule.

Yes. We assess doors and carcasses, repair or replace affected panels, sand surfaces and apply appropriate finishes to restore appearance and function.

Refinishing is often cheaper when carcasses are sound. Costs depend on door count, repairs and finish choice. We list comparisons in the written quote.

Costs vary by scope. Factors include door removal, repair extent, chosen finish and whether workshop work is required. We provide an itemised quote after inspection.

Damage such as peeling finishes or water marks can lead to swollen doors and hinge failure. That often forces full replacement, which can cost several hundred to several thousand pounds; early restoration avoids higher replacement costs.

Moisture can cause delamination and timber swelling over months, increasing repair complexity and replacement likelihood. Prompt refinishing prevents structural deterioration and larger costs later.

Small runs or a few doors can complete in a few days. A full kitchen typically takes one to three weeks depending on repairs and drying times.

Bespoke woodwork is custom fabrication of furniture or fittings to a specific design, timber choice and joinery detail. It recreates period profiles and is prepared for chosen finishes such as shellac.

Start with measurements and reference images, choose desired timbers and joinery, and agree tolerances. We can turn brief notes into scaled furniture plans and material lists.

Typical lead times are 4–8 weeks depending on complexity and timber availability. Larger or highly detailed commissions may take longer; the written quote lists the estimated completion date.

We select stable species with suitable grain for shellac, consider grain orientation and tannin content, and recommend any pre-finishing needed for consistent colour and chatoyancy.

Incompatible timber or prior finishes can cause poor adhesion, blotchy sheen or rapid wear. That often requires full stripping and re-finishing, costing significantly more than early selection and preparation.

Delaying repairs can allow moisture, warping or joinery failure to worsen. Repair costs and scope usually increase; early commissioning preserves original fabric and reduces overall expense.

Carpentry often covers structural work like framing and site installation. Woodworking focuses on crafted items, fine joinery and furniture-making where detail, species selection and finish matter.

Costs depend on the piece, extent of structural repairs, veneer work and finish stripping. We assess and provide a written, itemised quote after inspection or photos.

Table restoration varies by size and damage. Structural stabilisation, veneer repair and finish stripping affect price; request an inspection for an itemised quote.

Typical issues include broken joints, loose parts, worn surfaces, old finishes hiding grain and veneer damage that needs consolidation or replacement.

Minor surface cleaning and small scratches can be DIY. Structural repairs, finish stripping and veneer work carry risk; we recommend an inspection and written quote before major work.

Ignoring loose joints can lead to assembly collapse and lost panels, requiring full component replacement rather than simple repairs. Early stabilisation keeps repairs smaller and preserves value.

Delaying allows old lacquer to degrade and trap moisture, increasing sanding and replacement needs and risking loss of original surface and patina. Prompt stripping reduces later repair scope.

Builds typically take 6-12 weeks from approved drawings, depending on complexity and timber availability.

Costs vary by size, timber and complexity. We provide itemised written quotes after a design review to clarify expenses.

Yes. We use measured drawings, timber matching and period joinery to reproduce proportions and construction details that match the original.

Delaying lets moisture, wear or incorrect repairs spread, often increasing restoration costs. Repair expenses can rise from hundreds to thousands of pounds; early commissioning preserves detail and keeps costs lower.

Modern joinery can alter appearance and weaken historic character, leading to corrective work and reduced resale appeal. Correct period joinery avoids rework and helps maintain value.

Yes. We prepare surfaces for shellac and arrange hand-rubbed French polishing, coordinating the final finish with delivery.

Reproductions are not antiques but can match period aesthetics and function. Value depends on build quality, materials and market demand; high-fidelity reproductions suit interiors and resale purposes.

Longevity depends on use and the original damage. With correct toning and aftercare a spot repair can last years, but heavy use or repeated wetting can shorten life. The written quote will note expected longevity for your item.

We match stains and tone shellac to reduce visible joins. Grain variation, aged patina or worn surrounding finish can limit perfect invisibility, but careful toning and buffing usually makes joins hard to notice.

Left untreated bare timber darkens and wear spreads, often requiring full stripping and refinishing. That raises time and cost compared with a spot repair and increases the chance of losing original patina.

DIY solvents can dissolve surrounding shellac and create tide marks or colour shifts, enlarging the damaged area and forcing a full refinish. Professional toning limits solvent spread and protects adjacent finishes.

Often yes. We assess stain depth, remove surface bloom with controlled solvents, then reapply shellac layers and tone. Deep stains may need extra layers or pore filling before toning.

Yes. We arrange on-site polishing or workshop collection and return. The written quote will state the chosen method, schedule and aftercare instructions.

Not always. French polishing preserves patina and chatoyancy but is less resistant to heat and liquids than modern lacquers. We advise based on the item's use and the finish you need.

Small repairs usually take 1–3 days. Larger stabilisation or veneer work can take up to a week, depending on glue cure times and finish scheduling.

Unaddressed dents and scratches can worsen and lead to split veneer or joint failure. This often doubles repair complexity and may require full strip restoration. Early repair keeps costs lower and preserves original timber.

Proper repairs aim to retain patina and original joinery. Over‑sanding or poor colour match can reduce value. We describe methods and impact in the written quote so you can decide.

Yes. Veneer patching uses inserts, colour blending and sanding to blend repairs before finishing. Success depends on grain, timber age and available matching material.

Work is isolated and sanding uses dust extraction. Glue and fillers are applied in controlled amounts; we outline expected disruption in the written quote.

Delaying stabilisation lets joints move and split, increasing the chance of structural failure. Continued use typically requires more extensive reconstruction later; early pinning and gluing prevents larger restoration work.

For vintage timber it restores grain, chatoyancy and an even sheen. It is labour-intensive but preserves original appearance without heavy sanding.

Careful, colour-matched spot repairs and thin shellac layers are used to keep original patina intact while removing visible blemishes.

Typical turnaround for single vintage items is 3–7 working days, depending on pore filling needs and number of shellac layers required.

Left untreated, blemishes and open pores let dirt accumulate and accelerate surface breakdown, increasing restoration cost and reducing value. Early renewal keeps repair scope smaller and easier to match.

Yes. Properly layered shellac with correct pore filling gives a durable surface, though high-traffic tops may need more frequent maintenance than lacquered finishes.

DIY attempts risk uneven sheen, over-sanding and irreversible colour changes. Poor pore filling makes final results patchy and harder to repair professionally later.

Clear the area of soft furnishings and remove loose objects. For collection, pack fragile items and note existing damage when sending photos for assessment.

We assess the defect, use solvent and pad techniques to remove or lift marks, apply stains or shellac toning, then rebuild thin shellac layers and buff to blend with surrounding finish.

Use grain-matching fillers for deeper gouges before toning; putty suits small surface pits. Choice depends on depth and whether grain needs to be re-profiled first.

Clean the area, test solvents, apply touch-up dyes or shellac toning, use pad application to blend, then finish with light buffing and aftercare instructions.

Restorers can alter sheen or soften surrounding shellac. For shellac finishes we prefer targeted solvent work and matched shellac toning to avoid spreading damage.

Stains and exposed timber can deepen and oxidise, often requiring larger repairs or full refinishing later, which frequently costs several times a local repair. Early local repair reduces long-term damage.

The wrong solvent can dissolve adjacent shellac and spread the damage, turning a small repair into a larger re-polish. Test patches and specialist shellac techniques prevent this.

With correct shellac rebuilding and aftercare, local repairs can last several years. Durability depends on use, exposure and following care guidance provided after work.

French polishing is a shellac finish built in many thin coats using a padded applicator and pumice. It produces high-gloss, chatoyant surfaces while keeping grain visible.

For valuable or playable instruments, French polishing restores depth of colour and chatoyancy while using thin coats that are sympathetic to tone.

If surface prep is heavy-handed it can affect resonance. Proper pad application and minimal removal of the soundboard preserve tone; careful prep is essential.

Costs vary with condition and scope. We assess the instrument and provide a free written, itemised quote explaining the recommended work and timings.

Ignoring worn shellac can lead to deeper finish failure and wood exposure, often requiring full re-finishing later, which is far more invasive and costly than early repair.

Small touch-ups can take a few days. Full surface rebuilds need longer; your written quote will include an estimated completion date before work begins.

Keep it dry, avoid abrasive cleaners, dust with a soft cloth and follow the written aftercare notes we supply to maintain gloss and protect the shellac.