Question 1

What is wood repair and French polishing?

Accepted Answer

Wood repair is the process of restoring scratches, chips, dents and worn areas on wooden surfaces without replacing them. This traditional technique, known as French polishing, allows damaged wood to be rebuilt, recoloured and refinished directly on site. Instead of sanding the entire surface, only the damaged area is treated. This makes it ideal for doors, floors, tables, staircases and wooden panels where localised damage needs to disappear into the original finish.

Question 2

What types of wooden surfaces can be repaired?

Accepted Answer

We repair wooden floors, doors, kitchen units, tables, staircases, skirting boards, cabinets and wall panels. Each type of wood requires a different approach depending on how soft or hard the material is and whether it has visible grain patterns. The goal is always to restore the damaged section without affecting the surrounding surface.

Question 3

How is a scratch or chip in wood actually repaired?

Accepted Answer

The damaged area is first cleaned and trimmed to remove raised edges caused by impact. It is then rebuilt using the correct type of wood filler or hard wax depending on the surface. After sanding it smooth, the surface is prepared for the colour stage. This is where the repair becomes detailed and time-consuming, as the surrounding tone must be recreated precisely.

Question 4

What happens during the colour matching stage?

Accepted Answer

Colour matching is done by hand using mixed pigments to recreate the exact tone of the wood. After this, we begin detailed paint work by hand, adding shadows, tones and wood grain lines to imitate the natural pattern of the timber. This step is what makes the repair blend into the surrounding wood rather than looking like a filled patch.

Question 5

Will the repair match the original wood grain?

Accepted Answer

Yes. After the base colour is carefully matched to the surrounding wood, the next step is detailed hand painting to recreate the natural wood grain. Using fine brushes, we add darker lines, lighter tones and subtle shadows to imitate how real timber looks. This process takes time and precision because every piece of wood has a unique pattern. Recreating these grain details by hand is what allows the repaired area to blend into the original surface rather than looking like a filled patch.

Question 6

Is sanding the whole wooden surface required?

Accepted Answer

No. In most cases, only the damaged section is treated. The repair is localised to avoid unnecessary sanding of the entire door, floor or furniture piece. Full sanding is only recommended if the whole surface is heavily worn or damaged. This approach saves time, reduces dust and preserves the original finish while still achieving a seamless result in the repaired area.

Question 7

How long does a typical wood repair take?

Accepted Answer

Most wood repairs take between two and four hours depending on how deep the damage is and how complex the grain pattern needs to be recreated. The filling and sanding stage is relatively quick, but the colour matching and hand detailing stage takes the most time. This is because recreating natural wood tones and grain lines requires patience to achieve a realistic finish.

Question 8

Is there much dust during wood repairs?

Accepted Answer

Sanding the filler does create some dust, but it is kept localised to the immediate repair area. We use protective sheets and vacuum extraction connected to the sanding tools to control debris. The goal is to prevent dust from spreading around the room while keeping the working area clean and controlled.

Question 9

How durable is a wood repair?

Accepted Answer

Once the repair is completed, several layers of lacquer are applied to seal and protect the area. After curing, the repaired section becomes resistant to everyday use, cleaning and foot traffic. With normal care, the repair can last for many years without requiring special maintenance.

Question 10

Is wood repair cheaper than replacing wooden items?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Replacing doors, wooden flooring or furniture is often unnecessary for localised damage. Wood repair restores the appearance of the damaged area at a fraction of the cost while keeping the original installation intact. This makes it a practical and cost-effective solution for both homes and commercial properties.

Question 11

How visible is a French polishing repair?

Accepted Answer

The visibility depends on the type of damage, location and lighting conditions. In most cases, repairs are carefully colour matched to blend naturally with the surrounding surface, but on high-gloss finishes or in strong light, some minor visibility may remain.

French Polishing Services in London

Professional French Polishing in London

What is French Polishing?

What Problems Can Be Repaired

How it works

How French Polishing Works

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1. Assessment & colour matching

2. Surface preparation & repair

3. Detailing & finishing

4. Final check

Why repair instead of replace

In many cases, replacing wooden elements can be costly, time-consuming and unnecessary, especially when the damage is localised.

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