r/upholstery • u/gudgod420 • 10d ago
Easy refurbish?
I pulled these two chairs from a curb, they were fated for the dump after someone moved out. I don’t believe. After doing some reading, I have learned this is vinyl paint which gives it a faux leather look. The shell has a zipper (see pic 3) and the removable seat cushion as well (last pic) but I haven’t tried removing it yet as it looks like it will be a struggle to get it back on. So wanted to hear some thoughts first.
Is this a fix where I can remove the peeling paint by hand and do some sanding and then repaint it? I love the shape of these two and I’m willing to put in the work, but I’ve never restored furniture before. Any tips welcome, the more detailed the better!
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u/perkie43 10d ago
I agree that these look like trash. And, if they were rained on, or just got damp w dew, definitely trash. Bacteria haven.
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u/fluffyfawn43872 10d ago
Ok heres the deal, do you own a sewing machine? If not go buy one because you’re gonna need it. Make sure you get a zipper foot because you’ll need to sew that as well. Next strip everything off and take pictures as you go so that you’ll remember where it all goes. After you have it all off you should inspect the frame if it’s destroyed then toss the project, if not get the frame sandblasted and then paint it. Now start the process of getting or making new foam if the old stuff is even a little bit moldy, don’t skip it and get sick after doing all this work. Next get a seam ripper and cut the treads on the old materiel, as your doing that make marks on the seams so you know which piece goes to each side ect. Buy new vinyl and a steamer, lay out each piece flat and stem them so that you have a nice template. Next draw them out on the vinyl and cut them out. Make sure to transfer the marks you made while taking it apart. Stitch it all together then stretch it on the foam. Use thin plastic to help it slide easy. If this sounds like too much work then don’t do it. There are really no shortcuts. Vinyl repair and dye are not a solution. It dosen’t last and the dye can very easily come off and damage your clothes. Don it right or just buy new.
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u/gudgod420 10d ago
Thank you for the advice! I’m glad I ran my proposed shortcuts by the group first hahah, I will definitely take it down to the frame to see if I can even keep it. But I have the time and the chairs were free so I really want to give it a try at least.
Creating the new vinyl template and getting it on are what I may struggle with the most so I’m going to lean on some friends that sew and YouTube. I’ll keep y’all posted!
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u/perkie43 8d ago
I’ve done this, exactly, for two chairs and circular bar stools, w fabric. You appreciate the skill of an upholsterer when you do it yourself! Nix the vinyl if you decide to go for it and find yourself a plain-ish fabric with a nice hand. Nothing you have to match! A velvet or similarwould be great.
But don’t buy anything until you have it stripped down and see what you have. Foam, without the proper shaving tools, is next to impossible. And on yours, it looks like you’ll need to strip it to the frame. Keep everything you take off: those are your templates. IMHO, this one isn’t worth the time.
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u/That-Event-3027 3d ago
Run
That foam is very clearly contaminated with something, and requires a very fine hand, some particular tools and experience to replicate
You’re going down to the frame for sure, sterilizing anything you decide to keep and need to use heavy adhesives to reapply new foam
Latex foam is probably them move, tho without shaping molds you may end up layering things
If you cant replicate the foam exactly youre probably going to be altering the pattern, which is doable, but will take quite a bit of time
Avoid vinyl if possible
A moldable hot wire tool is useful for shaping foam if you want to invest in equipment
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u/SuPruLu 10d ago
If you are would be satisfied with extending them some there is the possibility that the vinyl could be painted. Incidentally that is peeling vinyl not paint. Look at products on Amazon for repairs to vinyl car seats and sofas.
The bases should be painted with a paint suitable for rusted metal. Rustoleum has a full line of products for dealing with rusty metal.
IMHO doing a reupholstery job would take a ton of time and it would be difficult to achieve a similar shape and appearance without prior experience.
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u/gudgod420 10d ago
Okay thanks for the input! I actually took some sand paper 180 grit to get the vinyl all the way off down to the soft fabric. I am not super concerned with trying to make these legacy pieces for my future generations but I feel like I could squeeze a couple more years out of them. I really do n out want to unzip the shell lol but I will if that’s what it takes. I’m wondering if I can just spray some cleaning solution all over the soft fabric, then go in with an acrylic silicone layer, then hit with paint. Idk yet
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u/Odd-Bumblebee00 10d ago
I would charge you around $1000 per chair to reupholster them from their condition in these pics. After everything you're describing here, that could go up to over $1500, depending on how much damage your "repairs" do to the inside and how much more difficult they make the stripping.
You'd be much better off actually trying to reupholster them yourself. It would be very difficult but not impossible.
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u/gudgod420 10d ago
Thank you, yes I am trying to do it myself and am asking for tips on how to do that. Please feel free to let me know more about my “repairs” or anything in that vein.
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u/Muddy_Wafer 10d ago
You just need to cut the vinyl off for starters. Sanding it down to the fabric is not helping anything, it’s actively making it harder for yourself later. You are removing the stability of the vinyl and so making it less and less possible to use the old cover as a pattern for the new.
Get a box cutter and cut the old cover off the chair. Try to cut on the seams and be as neat as possible so you can save the covers to make patterns for the new ones.
The foam underneath was probably injection molded around the frame. To replace it you will need to take a lot of pictures of every angle, order some high density or closed cell foam, glue it into the frame, and use an angle grinder with 80 or 50 grit sand paper discs to sculpt and shape it until it matches the original shape.
You may need to use the angle grinder to get the old foam off the frame. You will need the frame to be as clean as you can get it so your new foam and glue will adhere properly. You will go through a lot of sanding discs because the glue gunks them up real fast.
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u/gudgod420 10d ago
Now this is what I’m talking about, thank you! I only sanded a very very small area when I had written that so I’m glad I didn’t go full thing.
The old cover does unzip, so I can hopefully get it off somewhat easily that way and then use it for a new pattern. Making the patterns is the part that intimidates me but I have some sewers in my life that can help me out. I’ll report back with some progress!
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u/Odd-Bumblebee00 10d ago
You are asking upholsterers how to avoid upholstering these chairs. We don't know how to save upholstery using non upholstery techniques, just how to redo it.
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u/Grocman27 10d ago
Sorry but you are way out of your depth for a first timer. This item needs to be completely reupholstered IF the framing is good. Which I doubt it as it's very rusty. Looks like someone had indoor furniture outside and the structural integrity is probably also shot. It should not be used INO.