After putting this chair through the rigors of getting back into shape {read: putting myself through the hard work and challenge of refurbishing this chair}... it is time to reveal my results!
You can read the full back story by clicking HERE. This aluminum chair was manufactured by The General Fireproofing Company of Youngstown, Ohio during the 1950-60s era.
This is how he looked when I brought him home.
First step was tear down: removing the seat, arms and back. Sound simple? Remember this chair was built mid-century and who knows the places it traveled since then. Rusty screws securely in place-- in awkward places-- posed my first problem.
Second step included some ugly reality. With the seat and back removed, it was time to remove the old vinyl-fabric type covering. This revealed the dirty secrets hiding beneath it all: disintegrated foam and under that, rust!
I'm guessing that you are getting the picture! ;) At this point, there was a lot of messy work ahead of me! I was ready to bail out at this point...but, determination prevailed.
Step three brought scraping and removing all the used-to-be-foam, sanding off the rust, and finally spraying a coat of paint on the worst areas.
I was ready to breathe a sigh of relief over the small victories...so, I moved on to dealing with the back for step four. I was thinking that the hardest work was over! That theory was proved wrong as soon as I removed and opened up the back. These pictures vividly tell this chapter.
I scraped, cleaned, and sanded the metal. Then I gave it a light coat of paint. I even called in St. Francis for prayers of encouragement and perseverance!
Toiling on to step five meant using steel wool to clean up the aluminum frame. Later I used a product called "Nevr Dull" to further clean and polish the metal.
I should also mention applying LOTS and LOTS of elbow grease!
I need to remind you at this point that this project spanned over a couple of weeks.
With the chair torn down and cleaned up, it was time for step six-- the fun part! Wait! Looking back, this part was not all fun and games! ;) It was time to rebuild the chair. First part of the rebuilding process was reupholstering the seat. I decided to use 1/2-inch foam for padding. After cutting the foam to fit the seat, I sprayed the metal with adhesive. I wanted to be sure the original contours of the seat showed through. I then sprayed the adhesive onto the foam and added a layer of batting.
I chose gray suiting fabric for the seat. I traced the shape, cut it out. Before placing it over the batting, I again sprayed adhesive onto the batting. Then I carefully placed the fabric and smoothed it out. I sprayed adhesive to the edges of the underside to secure the fabric. (Much easier said than done, and I have no photos because I was so intent on getting it done.)
So, with the seat done, step seven was upholstering the back-- inside and outside. The inside called for foam and batting. I applied it as I did for the seat.
The outside back did not need cushioning. I had schemed all along to use Mr. Anne's damaged black wool sport coat as part of my fabric. {He inadvertently caught the arm on something and ripped it. When it happened, I knew it could be recycled and reused.} Perfect! I cut out a section from the back of the coat, sprayed adhesive to the metal back, and placed the fabric on top of it-- carefully centering and smoothing it out.
On to step eight: covering the arms of the chair. Again, I used fabric from the sport coat and applied it with the spray adhesive.
At this point, I must say I was giddy! The end was in sight! Oh, just a roller coaster ride from here!!! Yippee! I call this step nine: reattaching the back, seat, and arms.
I got the back into place without too much trouble...
Oh, no! Once again, I started celebrating too soon! I flipped the chair over to secure the bolts into place...now how did these go?!!! I had forgotten!! But thankfully, I had taken photos before I had removed the bolts. This picture saved me!
I cannot stress strongly enough the wisdom of taking photos along the way.
With the help of my handy assistant, Mr. Anne holding the cushion in place, I had the seat secured in no time! ;) The easiest part was attaching the arms. A sigh of relief-- every part back in place... but, wait a minute! This guy had regained his respect, but something was missing...an embellishment.
Like any gentleman in GOOD FORM, this chair needed an element of distinction. My choice for him: preparing him with a well-placed clip glued to his back. Let's call that step ten!
BEFORE
AFTER
 | |
| Good Form Chair shown with my DC Subway Art Dresser |
Have a seat, Don Draper.
;)
Featured on:
Linking to the following:
7 comments:
wow! that was a boatload of work but it looks amazing- so sleek!
What a fabulous transformation!
This looks amazing and I hope you think it was well worth the effort - I do! I have to admit I'm in the middle of a few projects where I just feel like giving up, everything seems to go wrong. Oh well, persevere I guess! I love the suiting you've used by the way!! xx
Anna (My Design Ethos)
Wow, your chair is amazing. Looks so much better than when you found it. The disintegrating foam was a little yucky though. I may have bailed out on the project about then! Glad you stuck with it!
Thant was a lot of work, but so totally worth it.
Your chair looks great!
thanks for linking up to catch as catch can.
gail
Hi I'm in the process of recovering several good form chairs for my kitchen. Can you give me an idea of how much fabric you needed for that chair?
Thank you,
Jonathan
To Jonathan:
Sorry but I don't remember how much fabric I purchased. However you can get a good estimate by looking at the "fabric" you remove from the chair. Obviously, it also depends on the width the fabric you choose. (Part of what I used was an old sport coat.)
Good luck on your project! :)
Post a Comment