RESTORATION PROJECTS
Re-instatment of livery
We were very pleased to be asked to re-instate the sign writing on a mid-1990’s Toyota Hilux pick-up, the vehicle was originally owned by a service station in the midlands which had sadly closed. At some point since the closure somebody decided that the sign writing should be removed but gave up part way, when the vehicle was bought by its current owner, he thought the sign writing should be re-instated as it was originally. As can be seen there was not too much to work with, but we did manage to make some tracings and fill in the missing bits. The only change to the original lettering was to make the telephone number white not the original strange yellow, both us and the owner are very pleased how it has turned out.
Sheild restoration
Early in 2023 we were asked to quote to carry out the full refurbishment of two heavy metal shields, mounted back-to-back on a garden archway. Once the shields arrived the design was traced, the shields were striped, primed, undercoated and finished in gloss black. The design was transferred onto the shields by backing the tracing and then following the outline with a sharp pencil. Finally the design painted in using imitation gold signwriters enamel.
Farmhouse sign
We carried out a refurbishment of this unusually shaped farm house sign for a client in Hampshire during May 2022
AA BOX 385
In the autumn of 2021 we were asked by David Hann of "The Orchard Restorations" based in Cheddar, if we would like to quote to reinstate the lettering on the side of an AA box he was restoring for a client. Fortunately he was able to provide images of the lettering required! as on this box it had been painted over years ago. We agreed we would love to carry out the work. Once David had carried out the complete restoration, we spent 4 days making the tracings and applying the signwriters enamel as it is white on black everything had to be second coated. On completion of the AA box he also asked us to highlight the AA badge on a First Aid Tin for the inside of the box.
CRICKHOWELL DYEING SPINNING AND WEAVING CENTRE
In the autumn of 2021 we were asked if we could refurbish the A Board belonging to Crickhowell Dyeing, Spinning and Weaving Centre. Firstly we took a detailed tracing of the lettering etc then the A Board was sanded, any bad areas filled followed by one primer two undercoats and final a coat of Dulux Oxford blue. Once fully hardened the tracing was backed and traced over, then the lettering applied using signwriters enamel
BROADWAY PARISH CHURCH, ILMINSTER
The church wardens at Broadway near Ilminster approached us during summer 2021 with a view of having the parish church's sign refurbished. The idea was to have it repainted Black with gold lettering this time, We collected the sign and set about removing the stain previously applied, then sanded it back discovering that it was originally much lighter with darker lettering. Any wood in poor condition was repaired, the complete sign was then given 1 primer coat, 2 undercoats and finally 2 coats of high gloss black. The lettering was picked out using gold signwriters enamel.
The images right show top left before restoration, bottom left after sanding back ready for painting, and on the right after it was returned and refitted to its mounting.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH, ISLE BREWERS
During 2019-2020 this beautiful 160-year-old church underwent a major restoration. During October 2020 we were approached to replicate the lettering either side of the altar window, and then refurbish the ornamentation of the cross below it. We took detailed tracings and measurements of the original lettering to assist us with reproducing it on to the newly painted walls.
BED AND BREAKFAST HOUSE SIGN RESTORATION
Late October 2020 we were approached to quote to restore a house sign for a Bed and Breakfast business. Once everything was agreed the sign was delivered to us. The first step in the restoration process is to compile a plan of action. Firstly, the sign was put in the care of Paul, who over a 3 day period carefully stripped all the old varnish off. The sign was then cleaned and sanded, next job was to choose the stain colour, the colour was chosen very carefully to ensure a final colour which was ideally close to a Chestnut colour. I applied 5 coats of stain with a fine sanding between each coat. Then it was passed to Carole's workshop for the carved lettering to be painted and the 23 added in the same colour.
SOUTH PETHERTON
In August 2019 we were approached to re-instate the Licence notice in a doorway of a cottage that was previously a shop in South Pertherton. Left is the licence before we re-instated it, it took quite a bit of thinking about to work out the original lettering, as it had been over-written at some point in the past and the very first lettering was showing through.
ST MARY'S CHURCH, BATHWICK
ROLL OF HONOUR MEMORIAL BOARD
In 2019 we were approached to quote to refurbish the wings of this beautiful WW1 memorial board and to also include the names of those who fought in WW2.
CLEVEDON FRIARY WAR MEMORIAL
The board was removed and brought to the workshop. Tracings of the lettering and layout were taken. The board was then taken to a specialist joiner for a new plaque to be made and fitted. The new plaque is of timber with a birds eye oak veneer. New dark oak side, top and bottom trims were fitted, and the remainder of the board was cleaned and oiled. Carole then rewrote the lettering using signwriters enamel.
Left image (before) right image after restoration.
LAMPERT AND SONS 1943 HAY WAGON
This 1943 Hay Wagon was originally purchased new by E.H.Canvin of Somerton. After many years lying forgotten in a barn it was rescued and restored by the purchasers grandson Dudley. During early 2015 he requested we replicated the original lettering and lining that it had when his family first bought it all those years ago.
ST THOMAS A BECKET CHURCH
PYLLE, SOMERSET
2017 saw the Restoration of this beautiful ornate signage at the entrance to the church
ST MARY'S CHURCH, LIMPLEY STOKE
ROLL OF HONOUR MEMORIAL BOARD
Before its restoration the Roll of Honour board was looking very tired and in very poor condition, the vase holder also being rotten. The board was removed and delivered to my workshop. Tracings of all the lettering taken, to ensure authenticity and the correct style of font was used. The board was then repaired, sanded, a new vase holder was made and installed. The complete board then coated with several coats of specialist oil, the tracings transferred onto the restored board, and signwritten with enamels and gold leaf.
