Kramer's Best Products

As it cleans, it RECONDITIONS both the FINISH and the WOOD. As shown on this old silverware chest lid and the sewing machine top, a light wipe of Improver cleans, and at the same time, reconditions the existing finish.  The old natural finishes —  paint, varnish, lacquer, shellac — dry out over time.  This dryness may cause shrinking, cracking, and flaking of the finish.  Kramer's Best Antique Improver contains many of the same oils used in the old finishes.  It replaces the oils in the finish, and goes through the finish into the wood, reversing the dryness of the wood, while at the same time re-bonding and stabilizing both the finish and the wood. Dryness is reversed. Color is restored to areas lightened from sun bleaching or from wear and light scratches.  White water marks, many times, are reversed.  Your piece will look better than you have ever seen it look before.

Even if there is some finish missing — on pieces where time and the elements have done their damage — Kramer's Best Antique Improver reconditions and brings up the wonderful natural color and beauty of the wood.  Natural oils are replaced.  Areas, where some original finish remains, may be blended in with the more damaged areas, restoring appearance without affecting the integrity of the piece.  Antique Improver is an excellent way to reverse damage on areas exposed to constant steam and moisture or extreme temperature and humidity changes, such as window sills, around window panes, kitchen or bathroom cabinets, entrance doors, and much, much more. Replacing the natural oils brings up more natural color and beauty than you would have thought possible. Using Antique Improver occasionally for maintenance prevents dryness, maintains rich color and patina, and PRESERVES and PROTECTS the wood in your home from future permanent damage.

Some very rough pieces may be found completely without their original finish or never have actually had a finish.  Even in these extreme cases, it is amazing what a few applications of Kramer's Best Antique Improver can do.  Without exception, the natural and compatible ingredients of the product feed the wood, reviving and restoring, and halting deterioration.  You will see color return to the wood — the natural colors of walnut, oak, and cherry — the true colors seldom seen.  Even on pine, which normally has little color, Antique Improver will restore that desired soft golden color only possible with natural aging.  Several applications may be required to reverse the dryness and damage.  These old pieces have been a long time drying out and will take some time to "heal", but it will be worth it when you see the results as the lustrous natural patina develops.

NEW OR STRIPPED WOOD: Use Kramer's Best Antique Improver as the ONLY FINISH on stripped or new wood. If you do have to strip a piece because the original finish has been painted over, or for new, unfinished wood, this is an ideal final finish.  It is similar to a hand-rubbed oil finish (without all the rubbing).  On a stripped piece, the natural oils of Antique Improver are especially beneficial as they help reverse the dryness and damage caused by the stripping, restoring life to the wood. 

When used as a final finish, Antique Improver lays the grain, never raising it — applied with fine steel wool, sanding many times becomes unnecessary.  The Improver, as it is applied, brings up the color and enhances the natural grain and beauty of the wood.  Stain, which actually masks much of that beauty, is not necessary, nor advised.  The surface is left with a natural beauty that improves even more over time.  As the initial application, use two or three coats depending on the type and condition of the wood.  Over time, additional coats, and time to cure, will deepen the luster even more and continue to enhance the richness and beauty of the piece.

No, the wood IS NOT "sealed" totally — a really bad thing to do to wood.  But, once a piece is fully conditioned with Antique Improver it is naturally protected from moisture. You will see that water just "beads up".  Occasional spills are not a problem.  If an area starts to show dryness from constant exposure to moisture, an additional occasional wipe of Antique Improver is all that is needed.  Pieces treated, and maintained, with Kramer's Best Antique Improverare very easy to live with.  And you will see them getting better with age.

And it does even more...

RUSTY METAL:  Antique Improver, is an excellent tool for cleaning off rust and preventing the rust from reoccurring.  A light wipe applied with a soft cloth cleans, brightens, and protects from rust.  If there is already a rust build-up, steel wool can be used as the applicator (a brass-bristle brush helps where detail requires).  In severe cases, it may take multiple cleanings to remove the crusty rust surface, but the effort is worth it.  The Antique Improver converts deep rust to a dark oxide, preventing further deterioration. The deep rich color of well-preserved old metal is restored.  If the metal had an original painted finish, many times the restoration can be amazing (such as the old school desk end shown here).  Work carefully and gently to be sure not to remove what original finish may remain.  The Improver will stabilize and enhance what is there, blending it in with the raw areas.  Sometimes the result is astounding.