Refinishing gives new life to Victorian pressed-back rocking chairs.
Victorian pressed-back rocking chairs are wonderful-looking antiques that add a touch of elegance to any home. As they are bound to experience regular wear and tear through the years, they may need to be restored. By sanding and staining your Victorian pressed-back rocking chairs, you can restore them to their original beauty. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Brush a thick coat of chemical stripper onto the chair. Leave the stripper on the rocker until the old finish begins peeling and cracking.
2. Scrape the peeling and cracked finish from the chair with a putty knife, being careful to not scratch or gouge the wood. Use steel wool to scrub the old finish off small areas like the chair spindles. Wipe the rocking chair with a damp cloth to clean off any remaining stripper.
3. Sand the rocking chair with 120-grit sandpaper to remove the final remains of the old finish. Wipe the chair clean and sand it again with 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the wood to the touch. Wipe the wood clean.
4. Brush a heavy coat of sanding sealer onto the chair and allow it to absorb into the wood, folloiwing the manufacturer's instructions about time. This will prime the rocking chair for staining. Wipe off any excess sealer and allow the rocking chair to dry before lightly sanding with 220-grit sandpaper.
5. Brush a coat of stain onto the rocker. Once the entire chair has been coated, allow the stain to soak into the wood before wiping off the excess with a clean cloth. Allow the stain to dry.
6. Brush a very thin coat of polyurethane onto the chair to seal and protect the wood. After the polyurethane has dried, lightly sand the rocking chair with 220-grit sandpaper. Brush a second thin coat of polyurethane onto the chair and allow it to dry completely.
Tags: rocking chair, chair with, onto chair, 220-grit sandpaper, pressed-back rocking