How to Restore Old Mahogany Chairs

Wipe off the mahogany chair with a microfiber cloth. The cloth absorbs dust and minor debris from the surface of the chair without damaging the finish or scratching the wood. Clean engraved or curved areas with an old toothbrush. Rub the brush inside any areas the cloth cannot reach.

Paint the paint stripper over the chair, applying an even coat on all surfaces. Rub the paint scraper over the chair, pulling the old stain or paint away from the wood. If the old color persists, rub a piece of steel wool soaked in the paint stripper over those areas.

Replace any broken parts with new parts from an antique restoration store. Scrape the old wood glue or adhesive from the chair with a utility knife. Apply a thin layer of glue to the new piece and let dry until the glue feels slightly sticky or tacky. Apply a thin layer of glue to the chair and push the new piece in place. For flat surfaces, clamp the new piece to the chair and let dry overnight.

Apply grain filler to all areas of the chair. Lowe’s recommends grain filler for woods with a large grain, such as mahogany. Rub the filler over the wood and rub a soft cloth over the top, rubbing off any of the excess grain filler.

Rub the new stain on the wood with an old rag or paint on with a foam paintbrush. As you apply the stain, follow the natural grain of the mahogany. After two minutes, wipe a rag across the wood, taking off the stain the wood did not absorb.