Rocking Chair Seat Repair

Split Wood

• 1

  Insert a thin wood chisel or flat-blade screwdriver into the split to pull apart the wood gently along the seam. Splits typically occur when one piece of wood joins with another.

• 2

  Spread wood glue over both inside edges of the split with a paintbrush. Remove the screwdriver or chisel. Wipe up excess wood glue with a damp rag.

• 3

  Lay a rag over each side of the rocking chair seat to protect the wood finish.

• 4

  Spread a hand screw clamp over the seat and tighten, keeping both edges of the seam aligned. Let the wood glue dry for three to four hours. Remove the hand-screw clamp.

• 5

  Apply wood scratch cover to the seam to disguise the repair.

Chips, Nicks and Gouges

• 6

  Sand the surface of the damage with 240-grit sandpaper to remove small splinters and sharp edges.

• 7

  Wipe the inside of the chip, nick or gouge with a rag dipped in a mild detergent to remove dirt, oil, dust or grease. Allow the area to fully dry.

• 8

  Apply strips of low-tack masking tape around the chip, nick or gouge to protect the surface from wood putty. Line up masking tape as close to the damage as possible.

• 9

  Press wood putty into the damaged area with a flexible plastic putty knife. Build the wood putty up to sit slightly above the existing surface. Choose a wood putty color that matches the existing wood finish. Allow the putty to fully dry, usually two to three hours.

• 10

  Sand the putty with 240-grit sandpaper to make it flush and level with the existing surface.

Worn Wood Finish

• 11

  Wash the rocking chair seat with a grease-fighting liquid detergent to remove surface dirt and oils.

• 12

  Sand the seat's surface lightly with 240-grit sandpaper, following the wood grain.

• 13

  Dip a lint-free rag into a matching color wood stain. Apply a light coat of the stain, moving in only one direction, following the wood grain. Allow the stain to dry completely, typically three to four hours. Apply additional coats of wood stain as necessary to build the depth of color to match the rest of the chair.