Expert: Eileen Cronk - 6/11/2008

Question
I found two old, wooden chairs recently, and I'd like to restore them to their original state.  They are simple, varnished pine (I think) chairs, and they have cracked, red naugahyde seats that will need to be replaced.  They are also decorated in a simple, deco-looking pattern of carved lines and circles that have been painted red.  They're really pretty, but they're in pretty bad shape, loose and peeling. One of the broad, scalloped backs is split horizontally as well, although it still sits snug inside its side slots.

Should I take them apart before refinishing?  Should I use varnish remover or should I simply sand them.  And what finish would you suggest I use after they've been refurbished?

Thank you very much,

Nancy

Answer
Hi Nancy
Nice to hear from you.
You describe these chairs as "old classroom chairs" and I am confused..it doesn't take much these days though LOL.
But classroom chairs would not be pine I don't think, and the type of seat you describe would not be on a pine chair.
What you are describing to me sounds very much like kitchen chairs from the 40's.
I have had a few of these through my hands over the years and most were made of birch or hardwood at least.
However I am getting off your question.
We never take furniture of any kind apart to refinish it, but if its broken thats different.
Often something has to be taken apart in order to fix it.
The split chair back is such an example. This will need to come off in order to glue and clamp it back together.
Use stripper to remove all the old finish. Never sand a finish off or never sand a piece after it has been stripped unless there is damage that must be smoothed out.
The finish I always suggest for us do it yourself folks is several coats of tung oil applied with a rag.
The only place I say use a poly is on a table top that will get lots of use.
The beauty of the oil finish is we can apply a fresh coat at any time down the road to freshen up if the chairs get lots of use.
Sure would be nice to see a picture of the chairs.
And get back to me if needed.
Regards
Eileen