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Expert: - 3/7/2010


Question

chair back
I want to recover the back of my dining chairs.  They have an upholstered insert and it appears to be held in place by screws covered with wooden plugs.  How do I remove the wooden plugs to get at the screws? I am fairly sure I can get new plugs and re-stain them to match the chairs if I can get them out without damaging the wood around them.

Answer
Hi,

Hammer a small flat head screw driver directly into the center of the plug and pop or break it out - that way you won't damage the wood around the plug - if the plug is glued in you may have to drill a 1/4 inch hole in the center and then chisel the plug out - again with a small flat head screw driver.  Make certain that you begin to break the plug apart in the center and not on the edges,  your goal is not to damage the wood surrounding the plug.  

Yes, you can get new plugs,  they are available in a variety of sizes in most hardware stores and staining them to match the wood is easy.  You can also eliminate the plugs after upholstering,  there are wax sticks available in most hardware store that you can use to fill the hole instead of a plug - push the wax in with the back of a small spoon and then smooth with a cloth.  

I hope this helps.  Pls. don't hesitate to contact me if you need further pointers.

Mark Miller.  
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThanks for your prompt, concise reply. I posted question on Sunday and it was answered Monday.


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Mark H. Miller

Expertise

custom furniture upholsterery. Became journeyman custom upholsterer in 1969. Certified by Upholsterers Intl. Union. Worked at San Francisco`s most prestigious upholstering shop as senior upholsterer. Am now president of Domar Upholstered Furniture Inc. Have upholstered for Presidents Reagan, Nixon, Clinton and the Queen of England. formerly taught classes in custom upholstering at the San Francisco Community College. Happy to answer all your upholstering questions.

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