Questions tagged [restoration]

For questions concerning methods to restore damaged or time-worn works and materials.

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Restoration/fixing of an antique chipped beer mug

So I have an old antique beer mug with a large chip on the side. I am sure there must be a way to patch this up with a suitable, colour matched, ceramic compound so as to restore it. Can anybody ...
davos's user avatar
  • 13
3 votes
0 answers
30 views

How to restore antique dressform?

I bought this antique-looking dressform for my partner, but I can tell it's seen better days. It says Adjustoform on the neck, which I expect is the brand. I want to repair it as best as possible, but ...
Jakob Lovern's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
63 views

How to restore a 30 year old plaited leather bracelet

This was my sons baby bracelet 30 years ago, is there any way I can soften it so I can reopen it and add a new piece of leather so it can be fastened again. Thanks everyone.
Milly's user avatar
  • 41
1 vote
1 answer
72 views

How to restore leather texture after water damage

This leather bag got caught in a heavy shower, and got drenched with water. After it dried up, the texture changed. You can see the damage on the bottom left side. It's wrinkly, and the granular ...
black's user avatar
  • 111
3 votes
1 answer
841 views

Repairing a leather and stainless steel bracelet

I have a leather and stainless steel bracelet that I received as a commemorative gift. Over time one end of the leather bracelet has come out of the stainless steel clasp. I am looking for the best ...
A.Steer's user avatar
  • 131
1 vote
2 answers
86 views

Covering for office chair

I am looking to add some material to the chair seen below that will hold up better than the current material that is covering the chair. The chair is pretty comfortable, so I like to keep it like that....
fixit7's user avatar
  • 311
1 vote
2 answers
85 views

Old Trunk Preservation vs Restoration

I’ve an old trunk which is covered on the outside with paper or maybe thin printed canvas. Parts of paper are flaking off. I am seeking preservation rather that replacing the paper. I want to keep the ...
KevinB's user avatar
  • 11
4 votes
1 answer
124 views

How to repair leather supports on a sling chair?

Thirty years ago, I bought some chairs that are still my favorites, but they are in need of repair. The chair's supporting structure consists of a canvas sling that hangs from a bent wood frame. A ...
fixer1234's user avatar
  • 11.5k
3 votes
0 answers
89 views

I just fired a mug (cone 5/6 B-Mix clay) in my kiln and there is a 2 inch crack along the bottom. Is there any way to save this by glazing it?

I just unloaded a bisque fire and noticed that a mug (made from B-Mix cone 5/6 Laguna clay) has a 2 inch crack on the bottom. Is there any way to fix the crack my using glaze?
Cory Hom-Weaver's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
169 views

How should I maintain a carved wood panel

I bought this wood carving (see below) several years ago from a vintage/antique housewares and decor store. At least one of the cracks predates my purchase, but I don't think all of them do. ...
le_andrew's user avatar
  • 141
5 votes
1 answer
105 views

Can I use epoxy to stabilize/restore 18th century giant pottery?

I have this giant ancient oil jar (18th century) outside of my house, and it has been an outside decoration since ~1960 and it probably has suffered from the winter temperatures. It's a pretty big ...
JB.'s user avatar
  • 159
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

Removing creases from an oil painting canvas

I just received an oil painting that was not packaged/rolled securely and folded/compressed during transport. Now it has creases. Is there any way to remove these without damaging the painting?
2080's user avatar
  • 151
8 votes
2 answers
719 views

Restoring a wooden box with metal inlay

I have a couple of small wooden boxes with metal inlay that I would like to restore. The wood was originally black and the metal silver in colour, but the black has faded and the metal has corroded. ...
James's user avatar
  • 253
2 votes
2 answers
258 views

How to restore a dried lipstick to make it usable again?

I have a liquid lipstick that comes with a brush to apply it. It is very similar to nail polish. The problem is that it has dried and solidified inside the bottle. Can you suggest some chemicals (or ...
shripal mehta's user avatar
0 votes
5 answers
165 views

How Do I Save This Shirt

This is the shirt I purchased when I was heavier: I was able to slim the sides. Unfortunately, fixing the shoulders was a train-wreck (now I've learned the hard way: I need to take-in the shoulders) ...
Marium's user avatar
  • 720
5 votes
1 answer
572 views

Estimating the amount of wool stuffing needed for a project

I've just acquired a new loveseat for my apartment that's in desperate need of reupholstering. Here's the problem: the cushions are (or were) stuffed with wool. I have some experience with ...
DVDThrowaway's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
217 views

How do I replace a rotten wood base to a plaster statue?

I have a religious statue that I would like to repair. Unfortunately, it has been stored in a VERY damp basement, and its wooden base, underneath the plaster, is rotten, causing the plaster feet of ...
Paula Rutherford's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
199 views

Rusty axe head restoration

I have an old axe head, kind of a family heirloom, that I want to clean and restore. Given its age (approx. 60-70 years) and condition, my goal is not to make it usable as an axe, but preservation and ...
crafter6029's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
5k views

Mug fixing with Araldite

I broke my favourite mug recently and I'm still getting over it. It broke at the side of the mug and a good chunk got broken. I got this from S America and it looks like it's made of clay and then ...
Ruki S's user avatar
  • 11
2 votes
2 answers
452 views

How can I recreate/restore small text and graphics on a painted surface?

I'm refinishing an old Bausch and Lomb Stereo Microscope and I am trying to recreate the graphics and text on the body, but I am not sure of the method used during manufacture. I would like a method I ...
ATL_DEV's user avatar
  • 145
2 votes
1 answer
85 views

Touching up the coloring on my American nylon flag [closed]

Touching up the coloring on my American, nylon flag. What is the best way to do this? Thank you.
Ken Holland Jr's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
98 views

Repair divider in wallet

I would like to repair or strengthen the divider in my wallet as shown here. It kinda close quarters. Part of the damage is caused when I close the zipper and catch the material. Original image ...
fixit7's user avatar
  • 311
1 vote
4 answers
357 views

How do I clean dried brushes?

I have a bunch of brushes with dried paint and glue. I've tried to clean them up but they're still hard. What medium is best to restore my brushes?
Mitchelle's user avatar
  • 281
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

Polishing a scratched Ruby

A friend of mine has scratched her Ruby with another of the same gemstone. The scratch is little, and just on the surface. Is there any way to restore the polish? The ruby is smooth, similar to the ...
Bella Swan's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
98 views

How to repair scruffed sides of a hardback book cover?

How do you repair scruffed sides of a hardback book cover? Here is an example of what I mean:
user18894's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
462 views

How to repair (sand down) the sides of a paperback book properly?

I've seen people use sandpaper to repair worn out sides of paperback books with great results. The problem I have with this is that the sides of the book puff up and I have a hard time fixing that (...
user18894's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
97 views

Restoring a poster print using watercolour

I recently bought a large second hand poster-size print. It has some slight damage to the sides and a strange stain line across one side (see photos). I would really like to restore it if possible. I ...
Mirte's user avatar
  • 261
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

Best way to restore my old vintage wooden cricket bat

I own a vintage, wooden bat which I wanted to restore by myself, for myself. Some of the areas where I require help are: Removing stickers and their marks: There are these old stickers on the bat ...
user377340's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
89 views

Photo of Ruins, how to Paint it as if it is in original Time period

I found this breath-taking photograph. It is photograph of ruins of haveli (big house, mansion), in Northern India, built pre-1947 (before India split into India and Pakistan). Hasn't been lived in ...
Artie Ladie's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
163 views

Is there any way to uncrush an empty toilet paper tube so that it's circular again?

I have a lot of empty toilet paper tubes, that I'm using for a project (see my previous question). However, sometimes, before I have a chance to staple them, the tubes get crushed. (I keep them in my ...
Mithical's user avatar
  • 213
4 votes
4 answers
4k views

Remove duct tape adhesive residue from fabric

I have an article of clothing that had duct tape on it at one point, but after pulling off the duct tape residue remains. I've debated buying Goo Gone but I am worried about discoloration. The ...
Wimateeka's user avatar
  • 1,091
3 votes
1 answer
764 views

Is it possible to restore the plastic on a pickguard without removing a signature on it?

I have an old flat white colored pickguard from my first guitar that I got signed by some guitarists I like with permanent marker. However, with age, the plastic has yellowed somewhat, which normally ...
user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
119 views

Any ways to damping metallic snap fastener domes afterwards?

I bought handmade cushion covers, but what I did not realize to expect was that at the back, they're closed with a row of half an inch wide snap fasteners, and their metallic dome backs protrude. On ...
user158589's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
295 views

How to remove water-based paint?

We were painting a lantern, when someone spilled dark paint over a yellow part. The process for creating is the following: You stretch the cloth over a wooden frame. (ca 2.5m x 2.5m/ 8foot by 8 foot)...
Frezzley's user avatar
  • 263
7 votes
3 answers
11k views

How to remove the yellowish color from my old drawings?

I have my old (10+ years) pencil art drawings and when I looked at them recently I notice that the paper has yellowed where it is visible. Is there a way to remove to remove the yellow tint without ...
Vijai's user avatar
  • 171
9 votes
2 answers
135 views

Correcting mold damage to paper

I have a book which acquired mold damage / coloration after a storage mishap. Under high magnification, it looks like the printed lettering is more raised (has structure / dimension) than the mold ...
New Alexandria's user avatar