C T Bristow French Polisher

Antique Dealer in Poole, Dorset, BH12 1LU

Claimed

About the Business

Clive T Bristow is a Cabinet Maker and French Polisher with over 35 years experience. He studied for four years as an apprentice Cabinet Maker with Gillingham Antiques in Guildford in the 1970s.

After finishing his apprenticeship he branched out on his own working for local antique and furniture dealers in Surrey and South London, finally setting up his own business in 1980, which he has run successfully ever since.

Not only is Clive experienced in all aspects of antique furniture renovation (from brass work to leather tops), he uses only traditional methods on both period and reproduction furniture.

Clive's workshop in Branksome, Poole, operates by appointment only in order to give a personal and professional service of the highest standard. All enquiries are welcome so please refer to the Contact Page for how to get in touch.

Business Services

Our Services

With over 35 years experience, I am a highly skilled French Polisher, taking a huge amount of pride in the work that I produce for my clients. I have worked on thousands of pieces over the years and I am happy to undertake a wide variety of jobs, from the very small to the very large.

Within the realm of French Polishing I can offer the following:

Remove scratches.
Clean and revive.
Bring a cherished family heirloom back to its former glory.
Strip and re-polish a piece to match an original finish.
Remove water or heat marks: coffee cup rings and cigarette burns.
Restore an antique or sentimental piece to its original condition.
Damage repair & touch-ups.

The techniques I use vary depending on the piece and it is not only the wooden aspects of a piece that I can work on. I specialise in antique furniture and I can also restore and repair brass work and leather.

In the more general field of restoration and repair I can, for example:

Re-set a loose joint on a chair.
Replace a cushion or leather-top on a chair or stool.
Repair car seats and renovate dashboards in vintage vehicles.
Re-leather desk tops and coffee, dining or boardroom tables.
Re-lay or replace loose or missing veneers.

So whether you require a simple scratch repair on your favourite coffee table, you have a vintage car whose interior needs to match the paintwork you have lovingly restored or whether you need a quote for an insurance claim, I can provide the specialist skills required.