How to Restore an Upholstered Wooden Chair

Label the parts of the chair while it is assembled so that it is easier to reassemble. Stick a piece of masking tape on each part and assign it a number or a letter. Sketch the chair on a piece of paper and note the number or letter of each piece to guide you later.

Turn the chair so the bottom of the seat is facing you. Unscrew the bolts or screws holding the chair together and lift away the seat. Take apart the rest of the chair, using the soft mallet or reversible clamp as needed to pry apart difficult pieces.

Locate cracks or chips in the wood and repair them with wood putty. Create replacements for broken pieces like spindles or arms. Saw off the old pieces at a 45-degree angle. Attach the new ones with wood glue. Clamp the pieces securely and let the glue dry overnight.

Follow the diagram you made to put the chair back together, except for the seat pad. Secure the pieces with wood glue and finishing nails. Let the chair dry for two to three hours.

Paint a thick layer of semi-paste finish stripper all of the chair. Let it sit until the old paint or finish begins to blister.

Scrape away as much of the old finish as possible with a paint scraper. Switch to medium-grade steel wool for the more stubborn areas, or to work in small nooks. Apply lacquer thinner to the whole chair with an old rag until all of the stripper is gone.

Sand all the parts of the chair with fine-grit sandpaper so that it is smooth and even. Wipe the chair down with a clean rag so that no sanding dust remains.

Test your new wood stain somewhere inconspicuous, such as the bottom of the seat. If the color is right, paint the new stain onto the chair, one section at a time. Brush a thin, even layer onto the wood, wait a few moments, and blot away the excess with a clean rag. Stain the entire chair. Let it dry overnight.

Wipe the chair down with a clean cloth. Move the chair outdoors or to a well-ventilated area. Spray the chair's surface with shellac. Scratch the dried surface of the chair slightly with #0000 steel wool if you desire an aged look.

Remove any old fabric and batting from the seat pad. Cut new pieces of sheet batting and fabric to fit, plus 2 to 3 inches on all sides.

Layer the fabric, batting, and seat all face-down. Pull the edges of the fabric and batting down over the seat on all sides. Staple it to the bottom of the seat around the edges.

Lay the seat into place on the chair frame. Secure it in place by hammering in finishing nails.

Cover the wooden parts of the chair with paste wax, using a new piece of #0000 steel wool. Wait five minutes. Buff all of the wood with a soft buffing cloth.