METAL RESTORATION OF FURNITURE, SCULPTURE, LIGHTING, LANDMARK BUILDINGS ORNAMENTS, CABINETS AND MORE

Olek restores brass, iron, aluminum, nickel, copper, zinc, lead, and electro-plated metals including chrome plated steel and gold platings, and other ornamental metals. These metals may be part of architectural ornamentation, or furniture such as beds, kitchen cabinets, or radiators, sculpture, sconces or chandeliers.

This wrought iron, copper, and bronze exterior sconce was painted black, and missing some pendant bellflower details. It had been painted in the 1970's, for fear that it would be stolen during that difficult period in NYC history. The interior sconce from the same building, photographed 15 years after its polishing and lacquering.

Conservation, preservation, restoration and replication of metals requires a variety of skills. Restoration is accomplished in our shop through blacksmithing or forging, sand or lost wax casting, welding by arc or inert gas TIG and MIG, oxyacetylene welding, brazing, lathe turning, and profiling and cutting with milling machines. Pressing, bending, and punching are an integral part of our metalworking and blacksmithing services.

Hand forging of wrought iron is an ancient technique used to fabricate metals long before welding of steel was invented. The ornamental twists, flowers, spikes made have unique character

Train Gate Saddles in Poor Condition, originals were made of thin cast iron, too brittle for 2 ton carts rolling over them. We re-designed the fabrication, machining 1" thick steel, but keeping the original appearance.

Sliding Door Saddle, replicated appearance with stronger design, for Grand Central Terminal, NYC

Refinishing and patination are essential for a fine finish. Our refinishing encompasses removing paint, rust or corrosion by abrasive media or sandblasting, hand or machine polishing, tumbling and vibratory finishing, and final coatings with lacquer or enamel or epoxy and urethane high performance coatings. Our finishes may be applied by spray, or electrostatically.

Polishing and lacquering of this dressing table vanity requires complete disassembly

Chemical or oil patination is used to match existing patinas, or to simulate age, from months to hundreds of years of weathering. The process of building up an authentic patina is all about layering. Metals, such as bronze, go through a series of chemical changes during aging. Bronze shows a chronological progression in its development of patina. To successfully replicate a patina, the series of colors and chemical transformations must be accomplished sequentially, as it originally occurred. The patina is an accumulated finish, built up over time. It can't be copied by selecting an end result color, and then just applying that particular chemical. The complexity of possibilities in developing a patina is enormous- ten different chemical mixtures and temperature combinations for each mixture could be required. Experience, and skill is crucial in restoration or replication of a patina. Each step in the sequence of building the patina must be correct, or the end result will be a disappointment.

These handles cast by the lost wax technique in process of being machined and polished, and patinated to match the 105 year old solid bronze doors they are replacing, lost when this home was occupied by Gill St. Bernards' School in Bernardsville, NJ. One original handle remained. The bronze molding was fabricated on a slitter to replicate the original glazing stop seen in the right side door.

Sculpture has its own unique requirements, aside from patination. Sculptures have armatures supporting various elements, that are subject to failure from inadequate structural design and from rusting or corrosion, or galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals within the sculpture. Aluminum contact with steel is commonly known to be a problem, but over the long run, certain steels are corroded by bronze too, and can be an issue. Designing remedial supports for armatures with minimal damage to the sculpture's exterior is of the utmost importance. Olek engineers the restoration to handle required loads, not only static, but dynamic and designs armature repairs to reliably support sculptural elements for the future.

Grand Central Station Ornamental Metal, Hutchinson Indicator and Oak Rail Repair

Restored cast iron, steel and brass train gates, track indicators, and 12'H destination sign cabinets. Fabricated, finished and installed new iron & bronze gate leaves and other elements. Building National Register of Historic Places listed.

BANK BOARDROOM RESTORATION OF NICKEL SILVER DOORS AND PARTITION

Art Deco Period, ca. 1930's- Removed to Shop, Restored and Refinished, then Reinstalled in Different Position to accommodate expansion of Boardroom.

Solid nickel silver window wall with door disassembled, transported to shop, refinished and restored.

Nickel Silver metal restoration - strip lacquer finish, fine sand and apply #4 satin mill finish, lacquer, and reinstall.

Victorian Period Ornamental Lightning Rod- Original ca. 1860 forged and cast lightning rod rotted through the melon detail. Paint and rust stripped, metal reinforced with welded elements as needed, and re-painted.

Steel Painted Kitchen Cabinets in Beresford Apartments, Wayne Best, CPW & 81st St. 917-304-7123

University Club- 1 West 54th St.- Facilities Dept. Dan Foreman (212) 247-2100

Metal Restoration Gallery