sfGnome
18th July 2020, 05:42 PM
Hi. I'm in the process of re-restoring an old dining chair that's been floating around the family for a long time. I used it to make cubby houses 55 years ago, and it had already been reupholstered (with vinyl!) then. Dad restored it about 20 years ago and mum embroidered a new seat cover, but unfortunately dad's glue didn't hold and he put screws everywhere to try and firm it up (that also didn't work - it was falling apart when I got my hands on it). I've broken it right down, stripped, sanded, re-dowelled and rebuilt it, but I have a couple of questions that I just can't answer.
The first is the screw countersinks (see photos). I intended to drill and plug them, but that would require finding a matching timber. I thought it might have been Tassie Oak, but you can see from one of the photos that the strip of Tassie Oak is much lighter. I'm not keen on using a filler, as I've never seen a filler that wasn't obvious under a transparent finish. Another option is to just leave the screw holes as they are on the basis that they are part of the chair's history, much like the upholstery nail holes around the top (which I am going to leave un-filled). Does anyone have any suggestions as to a) whether there is a matching timber that I might be able to get in small quantities, or b) whether there is a filler that will not be obvious.
The second question is the finish. I'm thinking that an oil will be best (though that is based more on prejudice than on knowledge), but I have no good idea of what type would be most suitable. The chair is intended for display and occasional lounge room use, so it doesn't have to be super hard wearing. I really just want it to show off both the old timber and mum's handiwork.
All ideas, suggestions and guidance welcome! Thanks.
The first is the screw countersinks (see photos). I intended to drill and plug them, but that would require finding a matching timber. I thought it might have been Tassie Oak, but you can see from one of the photos that the strip of Tassie Oak is much lighter. I'm not keen on using a filler, as I've never seen a filler that wasn't obvious under a transparent finish. Another option is to just leave the screw holes as they are on the basis that they are part of the chair's history, much like the upholstery nail holes around the top (which I am going to leave un-filled). Does anyone have any suggestions as to a) whether there is a matching timber that I might be able to get in small quantities, or b) whether there is a filler that will not be obvious.
The second question is the finish. I'm thinking that an oil will be best (though that is based more on prejudice than on knowledge), but I have no good idea of what type would be most suitable. The chair is intended for display and occasional lounge room use, so it doesn't have to be super hard wearing. I really just want it to show off both the old timber and mum's handiwork.
All ideas, suggestions and guidance welcome! Thanks.