Smiths Polishing is a family run and owned business which has been professionally finishing wood and restoring furniture throughout Stirlingshire, Edinburgh, Perthshire and Glasgow since 1990.Our polishers are fully time served with over 35years experience in such a classic and historic trade and hold contracts lasting over ten years with many top piano retailers/restorers, timber companies, furniture retailers, construction companies, upholstery firms and many more.
We provide a highly personal and honest service to meet your requirements from scratch removal on a small piece of furniture to fully restoring your piano, dining suits to staircases. We have the ability and experience to surpass your expectations and various methods to suit your budgets.
At Smiths Polishing we take great pride and personnal satisfaction from every job we undertake, we fully understand the importance of sentimental and valuable airlooms and give them the greatest of respect and profesionalism whilst working with or within your home.
Please browse our gallery to give you an idea of some of our most recent work carried out in our worshop and on site.
Furniture Modern
We can re-polish, restore, re-colour and laquer living room, dining room, kitchen or bedroom suites at a fraction of the cost of replacing including Nathan, G-plan, Mcintosh, Ercall, Reids or custom furniture such as Tim Steadmans, imported and or foreign furniture.
Antiques
We can hand polish or sympathetically restore all antique furniture be it a georgian dresser or victorian bookcase. We can restore grandfather clock cases, chairs, bureaus/davenports, jewellery boxes and ornaments.
Pianos
We offer full piano finishing services including piano tuning and re-stringing to any uprights or grands such as Bluthener, C Bechstein, Steinway or Broadwood just to name a few. Whether its a high gloss, semi-matt or matt lacquer finish or traditional french polish look we can offer a range of finishes that could sit in any showroom.
Business
We can re-finish or re-laquer conference tables and reception desks, restore, re-finish or finish wood panelling in shops, bars, restaurants, clubs and hotels or sand, stain and laquer floors of any size or shape.Smiths Polishing will work to accomodate your business needs to meet deadlines or work out of hours if needed.
Music Festival for performers and guests Our 10th
18-06-2022 01:30PM
The Morecambe Bay Piano Group was set up to extend
11-12-2021 02:00PM
The Morecambe Bay Piano Group was set up to extend
08-01-2022 02:00PM
The Morecambe Bay Piano Group was set up to extend
12-02-2022 02:00PM
French Polishing and Pianos
French polishing is a wood finishing technique used on pianos that result in a very high gloss finish, with a deep colour and chatoyancy. French polishing consists of applying many thin coats of shellac dissolved in denatured alcohol using a rubbing pad lubricated with one of a variety of oils.
French polishing became prominent in the 18th century. In the Victorian era. There are some references to shellac in Europe as early as 1590, French polishing was most commonly used on expensive woods such as mahogany or walnut in order to preserve their beauty. Commonly French polished items at the time were impressive pieces of furniture or instruments because they were expected to look good at all times. The Pad is lubricated with oil that then becomes part of the overall finish. the oil helps to stop the pad from sticking and lifting previously applied layers of shellac. , Softer oils such as mineral oil will produce a glossier but less hard finish whereas more viscous oils such as walnut oil and olive oil will produce a more durable finish.
Cleaning French Polish and Pianos
If the item has been French polished, rubbing the surface with a soft, clean cloth is usually ample. You can also polish it now and then with a little wax or even with a tiny bit of furniture cream. Sticky marks should be removed immediately with a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water and then wrung out it needs to be damp, not soaking wet.