PIANO FRENCH POLISHING & RESTORATION FOR THE TRADE AND PUBLIC

Name: The Piano Polishing Company
Address: Sutton Veny, BA12 7BZ, GB
Telephone: 07450 732 102

Piano Refinishing & Restoration

Hello! My Name is Alistair and I'm a UK-Based French Polisher, specialising in the piano trade. I work closely with piano shops, dealers, and restorers across the country to refinish and repolish pianos. I have been running my own french polishing business for about ten years and in that time I have restored over 100 pianos.

I am fully insured and are happy to look at pianos of any value, from the restoration of sentimental family pianos to pianos of significant historical value. I treat every piano as if it was my own.

My workshop is located in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside and is where I try to work my french polishing magic polishing pianos of all shapes and sizes. My goal is to create beautiful upright and grand pianos that can be enjoyed for generations to come. I understand a piano is a statement in any environment and take extreme care to provide the highest quality service available.

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Traditional French Polishing

Traditional french polishing is a unique process of finishing wood that produces a finish of unbelievable shine, depth and beauty. This 300-year-old finish can only be achieved by hand, it takes years to learn and a lifetime to master. While the skill of french polishing has become rarer over recent years, I am still committed to practicing this traditional hand art for as long as possible.

French polishing not only allows us to sympathetically restore new and old pianos alike but also acts as an alternative finish for all wooden furniture. French polish, produced from the natural resin shellac, is a pet and child safe finish that offers superb repairability while offering us a connection to the hand crafts of the past.

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Our Work

SERVICES

A selection of the piano restoration services we offer

Piano French Polishing & Refinishing

I can french polish and refining pianos to your choice of sheen and colour, working my hand to deliver the best results possible.

Piano Painting

Professionally sprayed paint and lacquer, with an almost limitless choice of colours and sheens available. We can also colour-match all designer paint brands, such as Farrow And Ball, Mylands, Little Greene, and many more.

Piano Damage Repairs

I can repair piano casework from minor dings and dents to extensive repairs. I often travel around the country and work in different piano shops to sport repair and improve pianos in situ.

Full Piano Restoration

We work with piano shops and restorers all across the country and through these connections can offer a full range of piano restoration services, ranging from full rebuilds to minor adjustments and tuning.

Piano Veneer Restoration

We can repair damaged or missing veneer and also re-veneer entire areas if needed. We can also change pianos to have feature veneers, for example adding burl walnut on the inside of a piano fallboard.

Piano

Frame Gilding

We can re-spray piano frames in a variety of colours and sheens. This is an essential part of a pianos restoration journey.

New Steinway Name For A French Polished Piano

FAQ'S

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS FRENCH POLISH?

French polish, also known as the finish of kings, is widely considered the best finish achievable in the world. Offering unrivalled depth and colour, and sharing the same light refraction properties as valuable gemstones. This 300-year-old finish can only be achieved by hand, it takes years to learn and a lifetime to master. Shellac, the raw ingredient of french polish, is one of the most sustainable resins available. A natural biodegradable side product left behind by the lac beetle as part of its natural life cycle. This resin is then farmed by local communities in certain areas of Asia where these insects flourish. No equipment or energy is required, only a reused piece of cotton, the elbow grease of the polisher, and many thousands of hours practice.

How Much Does It Cost To Re-polish My Piano?

Prices will vary hugely depending on the size, ornamentation and current condition of the piano. As a rough guide, upright pianos typically cost between £1500 and £3000, and grand pianos typical cost between £2750 and £6000. Please email photos of your piano to longfrenchpolishing@outlook.com for a more accurate quote!

Is My Piano Worth Refinishing?

French polishing adds huge value to a piano, with french polish adding the most value of any finish. Poor, sun beached, or damaged casework is one of the main factors which reduces the value of a piano. Re-finishing a piano not only increases its value but also its saleability. This is why we re-polish dozens of pianos each year for piano shops across the country. We are always happy to offer help and advice, so please get in touch if you have any questions!

Is Re-Polishing My Piano The Only Option?

No! Most old pianos where originally french polished, and can often be revived without stripping and refinishing. Please watch the video below to see how a piano can be restored without refinishing!

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