Telephone box restored: Our 7-step process

An original K6 telephone box is a robust piece of history, built to last for generations. But decades on the streets of Great Britain inevitably leave their mark. Rust, weathered paint, and damaged parts are unavoidable. To turn a historic original into a flawless one-of-a-kind piece once again requires an elaborate, professional restoration process. We give you an exclusive insight into our 7 stages of perfection that every one of our telephone boxes goes through.

Step 1: Complete Dismantling

Everything begins with taking the telephone box completely apart into its individual components. Every one of the 18 glass panes per door, every door hinge, every screw, and every cast-iron part is carefully removed. Only in this way can we ensure that every corner and every edge is worked on perfectly.

Step 2: Sandblasting

This is the decisive step in returning the box to its raw condition. All cast-iron parts are sandblasted in a special chamber. This process removes layers of paint, rust, and any impurities down to the bare grey cast iron. The result is a perfect, clean surface – the ideal basis for rebuilding.

Step 3: Priming

Immediately after sandblasting, a high-quality anti-corrosion primer is applied. This step is essential in order to protect the cast iron from new corrosion and to ensure lasting adhesion for the top coat. We use special industrial primers that can withstand even extreme weather conditions.

Step 4: Painting in the Original Colour

Now the telephone box regains its iconic appearance. We paint the parts in several coats using the original colour shade "Currant Red" (BS 381C-539). The painting is carried out in a professional spray box in order to guarantee an absolutely smooth and flawless surface without dust inclusions.

Step 5: New Glazing

The old glass panes, which are often scratched or cloudy, are completely replaced. We use only new 4 mm toughened safety glass. All 73 individual panes are cut precisely and fitted.

Step 6: Reassembly with New Parts

During reassembly, all wear parts are renewed. These include new rubber seals for all windows and doors, new stainless steel screws, and new door hinge pins. In this way, we ensure that the telephone box not only looks as good as new, but also closes properly again and is completely weatherproof.

Step 7: Final Inspection

Before a telephone box leaves our premises, it goes through a strict final inspection. Every detail is checked, from the quality of the paintwork to the function of the door and the interior lighting. Only when everything meets our high quality standards is the telephone box packed for safe transport in a custom-made wooden crate.

This elaborate process transforms a weathered original into a valuable collector’s piece that will bring you pleasure for many decades. It is attention to detail that makes the difference. See for yourself the quality of our restored K6 telephone boxes.