Upholstery Restoration Supplies

How do I deal with damaged or missing areas of a wooden frame?

The right approach depends on the size and nature of the repair. For smaller holes, cracks, and imperfections, products such as Soudal Repair Express Wood Filler, Everbuild Multi-Purpose Wood Filler, or Liberon Wax Filler Sticks, which come in a range of wood shades, can be appropriate. For more substantial repairs where wood needs to be rebuilt, Repair Care DRY FLEX provides a two-part epoxy repair system that can be shaped and sanded once cured. West System Epoxy is also available in a range of pack sizes.

How do I re-glue loose joints in a chair or sofa frame?


Loose joints should be cleaned of old glue and any debris where possible before re-gluing, as fresh adhesive bonds best to clean timber. PVA wood glues such as Titebond Original, Titebond II, and Titebond III suit most frame repairs. For period pieces, Restorate Natural Hide 200 Pearl Glue is a traditional hide glue that can be reversed with heat and moisture, which is why it's often chosen for antique furniture. Clamp joints while the glue sets, and check the technical data sheet for open time and clamp time.

How can I colour-match a repaired section of a chair or sofa frame?

A repaired area will often need more than a simple coat of stain to blend it into the surrounding wood. Depending on the existing finish and the colour required, wood dyes, oil-based stains, or traditional wood stains can be used to adjust the colour before applying the final finish. Fiddes Light Fast Water Stain is available in oak, mahogany, teak, and walnut shades, dries in around an hour at room temperature, and can be mixed with Fiddes Light Fast Water Concentrate to closely match an existing finish. Restorate Naphtha Oil Based Wood Dye gives a deeper, richer colour and is applied directly to stripped or sanded wood, and it comes in a range of oak, mahogany, walnut, and Jacobean shades. For a quick-drying option, Mylands Light Fast Spirit Wood Stain offers further oak, mahogany, and pine tones, though spirit-based products dry quickly, so work in small sections. It's worth testing the colour on a similar piece of wood first, as the existing finish will affect the result.

How do I fill open grain before polishing?

Open-grained timbers such as oak and mahogany can leave a textured surface once polished, so many restorers fill the grain first for a smooth, level finish. Jenkins Jecofil Grain Filler is available in a range of colours, from transparent through to oak, walnut, and mahogany tones. Match the filler colour to your finish, and test it on an offcut before applying it to the frame.

Do I need to strip an old finish before refinishing an upholstered frame?

Not necessarily. If the existing finish is sound, stripping it can remove original colour and character unnecessarily. Furniture revivers, wax removers, and careful preparation can sometimes be enough to improve the appearance. Old wax build-up can often be cleaned with white spirit and Liberon Steel Wool. A badly deteriorated or incompatible finish may need to be removed with a product from our Paint & Varnish Removers range before the frame is repaired and refinished.

How can I get a smooth finish on a frame without losing its detail?

Careful sanding is important, particularly around carved sections, mouldings, joints, and other areas where aggressive preparation can soften detail. Mirka abrasives, including fine grades for finishing work, can provide controlled preparation before staining, polishing, or waxing. Mirka Abralon Sanding Discs and Mirlon Hand Pads are suited to fine finishing, while Mirka Goldflex Soft is a flexible foam-backed abrasive that follows curves and profiles. If you're machine sanding mouldings, the Mirka Profile Foam Interface Pad is designed to help the abrasive conform to the shape. The aim is to remove defects without unnecessarily altering the original shape of the frame.

How do I protect fabric and upholstery while working on the frame?

Mask off fabric, webbing, and any areas not being treated before you start sanding, staining, or polishing, as dyes and finishes can be difficult to remove from upholstery. Our masking tapes come in a range of types, so choose one suited to the surface and remove it promptly once the finish has dried enough to do so. Working with a clean cotton cloth helps avoid loose fibres in the finish.

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 Monday - Friday 8am-5pm and we'll be happy to help you order it. Next day delivery is available for orders placed by 4pm.