Expert: Mark H. Miller - 11/22/2008

Question
We bought a Charles Barr Dining Room set some years ago. The seat pads are upholstered but are removable from the frame. Unfortunately they squeak like crazy whe you sit on them. I have checked the chair frames and they are sound, the pads when removed do not squeak so I presume it is the friction bewteen the pads and the frame that creates the squeak. Someone has suggested applying a coat of candle wax to the frame surface where the upholstered seat pad rubs. Is this a sensible solution, if not can you recommend one?
Many thanks

Answer
Hi,

If indeed the chair frames are sound - and to just confirm that do the following,  remove the loose seat,  stand in from of the chair and put one knee firmly on top of the front rail,  then with both hands grab the back of the chair on top and see if you can move it back and forth and listen for a squeak.

Then lay the chair on its back and grab the front legs at the very bottom - try to move them by moving them apart and back together again sort of like a gym exercise,  if there is no squeak then indeed the frame is not the problem.

Then the next solution is indeed as was suggested a "trick of the trade" is to use candle wax or bees wax where the slip seats meet the frame and lubricate to stop the squeak.

I hope this resolves your problem,  if not please don't hesitate to contact me again.

Mark Miller.