Case Study:
Restoring 1950's Aluminium Kitchen Units for a Dutch Barge Home

Bringing New Life to Vintage Aluminium Kitchen Units

At High Grade Metal Polishers, we love working on projects that blend history, craftsmanship, and restoration. When Katherine reached out to us about restoring a set of 1950s aluminium kitchen units for her home conversion project, we were excited to take on the challenge.

Her vision? To repurpose and restore these vintage pieces as part of her Dutch motor barge renovation, giving them a new lease of life while preserving their original character.

The Project: A Unique Home with a Story

Katherine was in the process of transforming a Dutch motor barge into her home and had sourced a 1950s aluminium kitchen to fit the space. While the original unit doors and drawers were structurally sound, they had decades of wear and tear, including dents, scratches, and layers of old paint.

Rather than aiming for a flawless factory finish, Katherine wanted to embrace the aged aesthetic while achieving an industrial mirror polish that would make the units a standout feature in her home.

Our Process: Stripping, Preparing & Polishing

1. Paint Stripping & Surface Prep
   Before we could begin polishing, the first step was to remove the old paint that had built up over the decades. We carefully applied a paint stripper, then thoroughly washed down the metal surfaces to ensure a clean base for polishing.
2. Polishing with Traditional Techniques
   Katherine opted for an industrial mirror finish, which we achieved using our old-school, time-honoured polishing methods:

• Medium-Cut Scotch Brite Wheel – Used to smooth the surface while retaining the character of the aluminium.
• Loosefold Mop with Cutting Compound – This stage cut through some of the deeper scratches, refining the surface while maintaining its aged charm.
• Final Polish with Finishing Bar Compound – A final clean mop pass brought up the mirror shine, completing the look while preserving the unique imperfections of the original metal.

The result was a striking combination of polished reflectivity and vintage character, perfectly suited for Katherine’s industrial-chic home.

The Final Installation & Client Feedback

Once the polished doors were installed in Katherine’s kitchen, the transformation was instant. The units, which had once looked worn and forgotten, now took centre stage in her Dutch barge home.

Katherine shared her excitement in a wonderful testimonial:

“I cannot quite express how much of a difference attaching the doors made to the sanity of the kitchen. They went on straight after the worksurface and immediately made such an enormous difference – it felt like home rather than a building site. THANK YOU THANK YOU! Plus, every person who has come round – friend, family, colleague – has complimented the kitchen units. They’re pretty unique and I’ve enjoyed telling them (particularly the architects) about the wonders of your workshop. Perhaps some might come your way in the future.”
– Katherine

This project was a perfect example of how expert metal polishing can transform vintage pieces, giving them new life and functionality while maintaining their history.

Looking to Restore Metalwork for Your Home or Project?

At High Grade Metal Polishers, we specialise in restoring, refinishing, and polishing metal for all types of projects whether it’s a vintage kitchen, architectural metalwork, or a unique artistic commission.

Get in touch today to discuss your project and see how we can help bring your vision to life.