Expert: Eileen Cronk - 3/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: We bought this high chair at an estate sale. The lady said to use teak oil to restore it. Is that correct? Do we clean it and sand it first? Does using teak oil affect its value?

The leg has two shades of color - the lower half is lighter/"washed" and the upper half is darker. Do you think we should keep it like that? If not, how should we fix that?

Also, they told us it is from Mission Style. Is that right?

ANSWER: Hi Michael
Nice to hear from you.
Gosh this is a lovely old high chair.
The wood appears to be oak or ash
First I would give it a good cleaning.
Use mineral spirits and a fine steel wool pad dipped in the spirits as a scrubber.
Dry with clean rags as you go.
Then I would apply a coat of tung oil in low luster.
I would not attempt to change the wood color and I think you are going to find the wood will be considerably lighter on top after a good cleaning (especially the chair back accross the top).
Yes I agree the chair has "Mission Style"

http://images.google.ca/images?hl=en&q=mission+high+chair&btnG=Search+Images&gbv

Good Luck and great question
Regards
Eileen


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

QUESTION: Hi Eileen,

Thanks so much for the detailed procedure. We think the chair is very cute too - it does have a crack in one leg.

Is there a brand or "specification" of mineral spirit and tung oil that you recommend? (This will be our very first "wood" project.)

How much cleaning should we do? Circular motion or straight-line motion? How many coats of tung oil should we apply?

Thank you once again.
-Michael

Answer
Hi Michael
If you can squeeze some glue into the crack and clamp it give it a try.
I am in Canada and Mineral spirits is called varsol or just plain old paint thinner. No specific brand.
I do however like one brand of tung oil.
http://www.swingpaints.com/1802.htm
Always work with the grain of the wood when possible.
Once you see your clean drying rag remains clean you are finished (you will know)
I think you will be amazed at the dirt that is going to come off the chair.
One coat of oil is enough and a freshen coat can be applied at any time down the road if you feel its needed.
Thats the beauty of an oil finish.
Good Luck
Eileen