Refinishing wood chairs with rush seats?

13 years ago

I have a dining set with rush seats that I'd like to strip down and refinish.

I'm a bit concerned about how to accomplish this without ruining the rush seats. I figure I can tape them up and cover them in plastic, but I guess I'm wondering if they're worth the effort.

I ruined the table top this past spring by placing a dish out of the oven directly on the table. There was a table cloth so I just wasn't thinking it was too hot. There is an area the size of a 9x13 baking dish that is cloudy white.

Here's an old photo of the set - I was thinking about keeping the dark color but maybe doing a less shiny finish like tung oil.

What do you all think? This photo was taken 4 years ago, so it's taken some abuse since then, but still looks ok, just not loving the shiny finish and the white cloudy top area!

Featured Answer

camlan

13 years ago

It's possible that the seats can be removed--I have some chairs with rush seats and the seat part is held on by screws. It's worth turning one of the chairs over and checking.

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Comments (7)

justgotabme
13 years ago
Have you thought about trying Restore a Finish on it first? Stripping and refinishing is a lot of work if you don't have too do so.
CaroleOH
Original Author
13 years ago
What does Restore a Finish do? This is a cloudy white haze - seems like the poly has been damaged, plus the chairs have some chips and scratches.

These are pottery barn chairs and table. The finish on the chairs is almost like it's a polyshades - not really soaked in, more like a poly finish because it will crack in corners etc. So, I am a little nervous about the wood underneath. Maybe it's not really good wood etc.

I guess worst case, I could paint it. Was thinking about doing the table dark brown and the chairs black?
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Thanks, everyone for the feedback! I like the ideas you've all given, and you've made me feel like refinishing ma be worth a try. Bronwynsmom, I thought about cream as well. I like painted furniture. I have the black Bradford desk, from pottery barn, in my office. Depending on what my new place will look like, it may be in the next room. Do you think the cream will look okay if the black office furniture is next door? Oaklyoak - thanks for the welcome! I don't have a picture of the room the table will be in. I'll probably be moving for a new job, and I want something smaller. Right now I have a breakfast table and this table in the real dining area, and i don't need two dining areas, so I want to consolidate. My little green table has seen better days, so I thought I may retire it to the garage for a craft table, and use this instead if I can make it work. Outside playing - you are so right about the hardware! I think that would help out a lot. Snookums - my style is eclectic, I suppose, but my furniture has more traditional lines - not country, but relaxed. Nanny2a - I'm not familiar with chalk painting, but I'll do a search!
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lindac
13 years ago
don't bother refinishing anything that isn't good wood underneath...not worth your time.
Restore a Finish may fix the white spot on the table....and to get rid of that super shiny finish....rub it very gently with four ought steel wool.
Linda C
bleigh
13 years ago
I love your table and chairs. The legs on the table match my coffee and sofa tables. My tables are beaten up pretty badly, but I love them that way. Anyway, don't know if I'm confusing this remedy with something else...someone chime in here if you know whether or not this sounds right. Put mayonnaise on the white spot, use some fine wire wool and gently rub along the grain to get heat spot out. I haven't tried this myself but remember reading about this a while back.
justgotabme
13 years ago
Restore a Finish is product that refinishes a stained wood piece without striping. You can buy it with or without colorant.
And oh gosh I forgot to mention, like camlan did, that the rush seats probably are removable. Mine were on my island chairs. I just popped them off before I repainted the chairs. This time I stained the rush seats themselves and painted the chairs. (I bought the chairs painted for those of you that know me well enough to be shocked that I painted good wood).
I too have heard of the remedy that bliegh mentioned, but thought it was for water marks. I doubt it could hurt to try. It is a white mark.

Here is a link that might be useful: Restore A Finish
bettylab1
6 years ago
I used a towel and a hot steam iron to get rid of cloudy areas on my table. Worked like a charm. Google it to find the precise instructions.

Refinishing wood chairs with rush seats?

camlan

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justgotabme

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camlan

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