Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Look for flaking or peeling paint and missing parts, as well as scratches or stains on the wood. If none of these problems is evident, a thorough cleaning may be all that is needed.
Use a clean cloth and dust the chair. Turn it over and wipe the underside. If the chair is still grimy, wash it with warm water and an oil-based soap like Murphy's Oil Soap. Wipe the rungs and the slats on the back of the chair. If the slats are carved, you may need to use a toothpick or old toothbrush to remove dirt from the indentations. If you are satisfied with how the chair looks after cleaning, polish it with a good paste wax to protect it.
If cleaning the chair revealed problems with the finish, like minor scratches, dings and stains, there are some fixes you can try before removing it. If your chair has been stored in a moist environment like a basement, it may have white water marks. These can be cleaned up with a cloth dampened in denatured alcohol. Use clear nail polish to fill light scratches, then smooth them with 600 grit sandpaper.
If the chair is wobbly, take a look at the joints. You may need to reglue them with a carpenter's glue like Wonderlock Chairglue. If the chair is missing slats or legs or other parts that need to be replaced, consult an expert woodworker.
If the finish is beyond saving, you will have to strip it and refinish the chair. Stripping is a process best left to a professional furniture restorer. But you can do it yourself with the right equipment. Remember that stripping compound is a chemical and treat it as such. Work in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors. Wear protective goggles and gloves and follow the directions on the can.
Once you have removed the chair's finish, wipe a clean cloth over the surface to remove dust and check to see that no residual stripper remains. When the chair is thoroughly dry, sand it with 200 grit sandpaper. Finish it as you please, with paint, stain, polyurethane or a coat of paste wax.