Expert: Eileen Cronk - 11/10/2008

Question
QUESTION: I've got a set of 1940s or '50s solid mahogany ribbon-back dining chairs that I've
disliked for 15 years. Am thinking of painting them as an update until I can afford new
chairs. The current finish is probably original; it's very worn and dull in many places.
Must I strip to bare wood, or is there an easier way out? I know I can't just slap some
paint on, but really don't want to expose myself to the chemicals involved in stripping.
Plus I am lazy.

ANSWER: Hi Ann
Nice to hear from you.
You most definately do not have to strip these chairs before painting so its OK if you are lazy LOL.
And in the overall scheme of things its better for the chairs.
You see Ann, someone will come along in 30 or 40 years and want to strip your paint off. And because the original finish is under the paint it means your paint has not absorbed into the mahogany pores.
If you totally strip off the finish and apply paint, it pretty much assures that in future they can never be returned to original.
And for darned sure that same "someone" will say "why did they ever do that?" LOL.
In the by gone days when all we had was oil based paint it was not the problem getting off like the water based paints are.
So I will not try to talk you out of this but tell you what to do.
Get a can of mineral spirits and a box of medium grade steel wool (not SOS pads).
Work outdoors.
Dip the steel wool in the spirits and use it as a scrubber.
Go over every part of the chair agressively with this.
Them prime and paint.
No need for sanding as the steel wool and mineral spirits will really clean and deglaze the wood.
Good Luck
Kind Regards
Eileen




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Should I put a top coat on after the paint has dried? (I've painted fingernails
before, but furniture is new territory for me.) Polyurethane?

Answer
Hi again Anne
If I re-call correctly, you said you were lazy LOL.
So applying a top coat will depend on how lazy you actually are.
Seriously though, it will add a bit more time to the paint job and likely save you work in the long run.
But todays paints are very durable too.
I usually don't apply a clear coat after painting furniture.
But when I do, I use a water based satin poly.
Good Luck
And thanks for the great ratings.
Regards
Eileen