Antique Restoration Supplies

Why do traditional restoration materials still matter when working on antique furniture?

Traditional materials can behave in ways that are familiar to restorers and are often better suited to working with existing finishes and established restoration techniques. Products such as W.S. Jenkins French Polishes, Mylands Button Polish, and Fiddes Supreme Wax Polish continue to be used where the aim is to reproduce or complement a traditional finish rather than introduce a completely different coating.

How can I tell whether an existing finish is worth preserving?

The condition of the finish, rather than simply its age, is usually the starting point. A finish that is dull, dirty, or lightly marked may respond well to careful cleaning or revival, whereas one that is badly damaged or extensively built up may need more intervention. Fiddes Furniture Reviver, for example, is specifically intended to revive original finishes and remove old wax deposits without stripping the underlying finish.

How do I deal with an antique finish that has darkened or changed colour over time?

It is worth establishing whether the change is in the finish itself or the wood underneath before deciding how much to remove. Where colour needs to be adjusted or rebuilt, traditional materials such as Mylands Van Dyke Crystals, Fiddes NGR Spirit Wood Stain, and Mylands spirit-based wood dyes can be used as part of a controlled colour-matching process.

How do I repair small areas without making the repair obvious?

The key is to match the repair material and subsequent colouring process to the surrounding wood. For small surface defects, products such as Liberon Wax Filler Sticks can be used after the main preparation has been completed, while Jenkins Jecofil Grain Filler is suited to filling open grain where a level surface is required before finishing. More substantial repairs call for a more durable approach - something like Soul EPOFIX Rapid Cure Epoxy Syringe, which delivers strong waterproof bonding in a convenient dual syringe for accurate mixing.

How do I get a traditional French-polished finish on an antique?

The shellac and the preparation underneath it both have a significant bearing on the finished result. The collection includes traditional polishes such as Mylands Button Polish, Fiddes Button Polish, and Jenkins Best Button Polish, along with the abrasives, cloths, and other workshop materials needed during the process.

How can I protect an existing finish without making the piece look over-restored?

A traditional wax can provide protection and refresh the appearance without creating the noticeably new surface that can result from completely refinishing an antique. Options in the collection include Renaissance Wax Micro-Crystalline Wax Polish, Fiddes Supreme Wax Polish, Harrell's Traditional Wax Polish, and Liberon Black Bison Paste Wax, depending on the finish and appearance required.

Do you stock products that aren't listed in this collection?


Yes. If you're looking for a specific product, call us on 01285 831668 between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday and we'll be happy to help you order it. Next day delivery is available for orders placed by 4pm.