Tarnished Metallic Display Head Refinished by Hand

This striking sculptural head had a high shine, mirror like metallic finish that was looking distinctly tired. The before image shows the polished silver surface marred across the forehead and crown by dull, discoloured patches and tarnish, where the reflective coating had broken down and lost its even gleam. Bright metallic finishes are unforgiving, since any handling, moisture in the air or general atmospheric tarnishing leaves cloudy blooms that stand out instantly against the chrome bright tone. This tarnished silver leaf display head refinishing was all about restoring a single, flawless sheen across the whole face.

Rather than a knock or impact, the damage here came from age and exposure, the slow oxidising and dulling that affects metallic and silver leaf style finishes over time. Our technician stripped back the failed areas, refinished the surface and rebuilt a smooth, consistent metallic coat by hand. The after image shows a warm, even bronze gold sheen flowing across the whole head, with no patches, no tarnish and a soft, uniform reflection that suits the piece far better than the blotchy original.

Refinishing a decorative metallic surface is skilled work, and home metal polishes or spray cans usually leave streaks, overspray or a colour that never quite matches the rest of the piece. Magicman has been refinishing specialist surfaces for over thirty years, with proprietary materials and fully trained technicians who can rebuild a finish rather than just mask the fault. See more under furniture restoration, then drop us a photo via our online estimate and we will let you know what is possible.