How do you restore old chairs?

Question

I have just purchased second hand dining room chairs that are quite vintage. The spring in the seats and the base underneath the seats all need fixing and I am not sure what the best way to do it is. The chair itself is very sturdy and strong- Can you simply take the springs out altogether and stuff with something? Or respring? thanks!

Answer 1

IF YOUR GOING TO USE THEM   SURE REPLACE THE SPRINGS BUT IF YOU WANT THEM CAUSE THERE OLD   LEAVE THEM ALONE  YOU CAN LOWER THERE VALUE IF YOU DONT DO IT RIGHT.DONT YOU WATCH ANTIGIC ROAD SHOW

Answer 2

Please please please.  Do not believe "Antiques Road Show" that anything old must be preserved in current state or you will destroy the value.  These are "second hand dining chairs" for heaven's sake -- they are not Chippendale chairs used by John Madison.

It would definitely help to get more information.  The simplest approach MAY be to simply pull the seat out, cut a piece of 1/2" plywood to fit, add some 1-2" foam rubber and staple on a new cover.

Answer 3

the best way is to take a strong string and tie all of the springs together and down....then recover

Answer 4

With no offense meant, it would help give more accurate answers if we knew the design of the chairs, and their basic, initial construction at least.

   For you, it might serve you well to know the age of the chairs and some actual, or intrinsic value, and determine the value of restoring them. It may be, you can restore that SEAT area in a different way. Certainly that wouldn't increase the value, but it could be a more cost effective way to eventually enjoy the chairs. It may also not strictly be a DIY project?

Steven Wolf

just my two "sense"