Before:
It was a formidable task, indeed. It took several weekends
(and weeknights), and the ordering and purchasing of many various tools and
supplies. Some, very specialized items.
I started by stripping the chair. This mainly just involved
a tack remover, and pliers for some of the more stubborn tacks. This thing had
a bazillion tacks in it.
There is a padded roll in the front of the cushion, to help keep its shape, which I removed and reused.
The filling is Ginger or Coconut Coir, which I saved.
The springs looked ok, so I saved them.
I suspect that the complete label inside reads, "G.
Buehler & Co., manufacturer of Parlor Furniture Frames, Allentown,
Pa." I would not be surprised if it came from this Buehler. It makes sense, considering the
location and timeframe.
The pile of old webbing, and all the other materials that I pulled off the chair was extremely dusty, dirty, and disintegrating. I discarded most of it.
The back was also webbed and padded.
Luckily,
the frame was solid. I did not want to strip and refinish the wood. I just
cleaned it, and filled the tack holes with wood filler. I wasn't sure what to
clean it with, so I tried a couple of things: 1) Denatured alcohol, and 2)
Mineral spirits, and I used a fine grade of steel wool. I still can't tell which is better. I probably took some of
the finish off, but it brightened up the wood considerably. There are lots of
scrapes and scratches, but I don't mind. I will follow up some paste wax to polish and protect the piece.
