RESTORE A FAMILY HEIRLOOM
From restoring antique sculpture to dented teapots and serveware, our staff of trained metalsmiths is on hand to make your metalwork as good as new.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Metal Museum's Repair & Restoration Lab takes on metal repair projects year-round. Repair Specialist Katelyn Butler has worked in the Museum's shop since early 2020. Past projects have included broken or dented statues, lamps, serving ware such as teapots or metal trays, bed frames, antiques, and more.
REPAIR PROCESS
Repair projects must be inspected in-person before a cost estimate can be given. Please bring your item to the Metal Museum admissions desk and complete a repair drop-off form with your contact information.
Because of the time and research required to make an accurate assessment of a repair item, estimates are subject to a non-refundable Estimate Fee. If the project is simple, the Estimate Fee will be $30-35. Larger, more complicated projects will be subject to an Estimate Fee of 10% of the total project budget.
Once the Estimate Fee has been paid, you will receive a finalized quote within 3 business days. When the quote has been approved, a deposit for 50% of the project quote is required before repairs can begin. The full balance is due after completion of the project.
Please note that turn time for most projects is 6-8 weeks. Welding projects may take longer.
REPAIR LAB SCHEDULE
TUES. – SAT. | 11AM – 5PM
The Metal Museum is open for project drop off and pick up.
MON. – FRI. | 10AM – 3:30PM
Repair Specialist Katelyn Butler is actively working on repairs. Calls and emails will be returned during Katelyn's office hours. All messages left by 3pm on a day when the Metal Museum is open will be returned within 3 business days.
MON. – FRI. | 3:30 – 4:30PM
Office hours are open for Repair Specialist Katelyn Butler. During this time, phone calls will be returned, estimates/quotes will be invoiced, and acknowledgment of repair drop off items will be sent.
*General Conference registration is included when you register for the Pre-Conference Workshop.
REPAIR SERVICES INCLUDE
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welding of bronze, steel, aluminum, and cast iron
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soldering
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casting of missing parts
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dent removal and bend straightening
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patina matching and faux-finishing (chemical or paint)
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polishing and waxing
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minor enamel repair
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minor jewelry repair
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small parts sandblasting
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statuary repair
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pitch work
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copper pot re-tinning
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handle resetting
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knife sharpening (only during Repair Days)
At this time, the Repair & Restoration Lab does not provide silver plating services.
TESTIMONIAL
"What a gorgeous result! Can't say enough about Katelyn and the rest of your team with numerous other projects they have worked on for us."
–LES BURSON, REPAIR CLIENT
FOR APPRAISALS
By law, the Metal Museum is unable to make appraisals for artwork. We recommend contacting an accredited appraiser in your area. For assistance finding an appraiser, you may contact:
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF APPRAISERS
555 Herndon Parkway, Suite 125
Herndon, VA 20170
| (800) 272-8258
f (703) 742-8471
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF APPRAISERS
230 E. Ohio St. Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60611
| (312) 224-2567
f (312) 644-8557
TESTIMONIALS
"Just wanted to drop you a line and tell you how awesome the WHBQ wall looks! You guys did a killer job on it [and] it looks like a MILLION BUCKS. Thank you so much for bringing it to life and there's no way on earth we could have done it without your creativity and hard work."
– Curry Weber, Recording Engineer at Sun Studio
For more information, please contact our Repair & Restoration Specialist, Katelyn Butler, at katelyn@metalmuseum.org