Antique Care
Furniture that looks whole again, water rings gone and grain revived with a shellac finish suited to Maldon humidity.
What We Do
Covering finish stripping, glue-joint repair, veneer patching and minor wood replacement to prepare for shellac finishing.
Fix dents, scratches and loose joints to prepare pieces for refinishing
Gentle hand stripping and surface cleaning to expose grain and prepare timber for pumice and shellac application.
Glue-joint re‑adhesion, veneer patching and minor wood replacement to restore structure before refinishing.
Why Essex French Polishing
Hidden structural faults and old lacquer prevent a matched, stable finish unless pieces are stabilised and prepared correctly.
Maldon's riverside and rural homes face humidity-driven bloom that dulls sheen and forces repeated refinishing if not corrected early.
Who We Help
Scenarios include riverside houses, farmhouses and antique stock requiring structural repair and period-accurate finishing.
Owners of Hythe Quay and Blackwater Estuary homes with damp-affected tables and cabinets needing stabilisation and finish renewal.
Rural property owners with farmhouse woodwork and quayside cabinets seeking colour-matched repairs and durable shellac finishes.
Dealers needing veneer repairs, structural stabilisation and finish preparation to present pieces with matched patina and clear condition notes.
How We Work
A clear three-step process from assessment to finish preparation and handover, with written scope and care guidance.
Assess & Quote
We inspect on-site or from photos, list structural faults and finish issues, then provide a free written quote with scope.
Stabilise & Repair
Glue-joint re‑adhesion, veneer patching and minor wood replacement are completed to restore structural integrity before refinishing.
Finish Preparation
Gentle hand stripping, pumice pore-filling and surface cleaning prepare the timber for shellac layers or arranged French polishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers on costs, risks, timescales and local factors such as humidity and collection options.
More Services
Who We Are
All enquiries are reviewed by French polishers experienced with home furniture and office woodwork in Essex. We provide a free written quote after inspection or photos. Choose on-site polishing or workshop collection and return.
Our Full StoryWe exist to preserve and restore period wood finishes for homeowners and businesses in Essex by arranging specialist French polishing services.
Clear Quotes
Written estimates after inspection; no hidden fees.
Flexible Delivery
On-site or workshop collection with scheduled slots.
Traditional Techniques
Shellac pad application, pumice pore-filling and buffing.
Restore antique or vintage furniture with structural repair and finish preparation
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Broken glue joints and loose parts make pieces unstable and worsen with use; neglected joints can lead to major rebuilds later.
Thick or discoloured lacquer conceals timber tone, making colour matching impossible without careful hand stripping and testing.
Glue re‑adhesion, clamp setting and minor wood replacement restore load-bearing joints and return safe, usable geometry for finishing.
Gentle hand stripping exposes grain; pumice and shellac pore-filling rebuilds chatoyancy and prepares an even base for polishing.
All quotes list tasks, materials and an estimated completion date so you can plan removals or project timelines confidently.
Choose careful on-site work for fitted pieces or workshop collection for complex stripping and controlled shellac rebuilding.
Veneer patching and under-veneer inspection prevent surprise delamination during finishing and preserve visible timber patterns.