I've got an old soft pad lounge chair that needs to be reupholstered - cracked vinyl on the seat. My plan was to send it to the factory to be recovered. No dice. Here's a note I received from HM:
"They are correct about the fact that the chair cannot be reupholstered (pad replaced) on a chair that has the hex head bolts holding the back brace in place. This indicates that the chair is older than 1975. In 1975, we had a dimensional change to the pad. Today's production pads will not fit the older chairs because of that change. We do not have patterns to enable us to produce a pad with the older dimensions."
My understanding is that the problem is stretching the material back onto the chair. Is anyone aware of any success stories with the aluminum or soft pad group chairs done without factory assistance?
Yes
The upholstery shop I use has redone many aluminum group chairs. They are not exactly the same as the factory covers as those have a membrane heat sealed inside the upholstery, but they look very good and can create the cover to fit the chair. They use stitching to create the channel detail. With fabric covers it is barely discernible, but with naygahyde covers you will see the stitching instead of the gap in the channel. They are kinda' tricky to do, it can be difficult to get the cover back in the frame and get the correct tautness.
The soft pad is much more forgiving to reupholster since you have the cushions rather than the channeling however they are pretty labor intensive.
Not worth reuphostering
I hate to say it, but the chair simply isn't worth the cost to get it reupholstered, even if you could get it look as good as factory. I had checked in with HM about getting an Aluminum Group chair reupholstered in leather and it the cost was 80% of a new chair. :/
There are so many of these chairs floating around on eBay and Craigslist, I'd be more inclined to hunt for a nice one for a fraction of the cost of reupholstering and sell the old one to recoup some of your cost. Who knows, you may come out ahead.
fm
Apples and oranges
FM you compare the cost of a new cover from Herman Miller. That is not the same as having a quality upholstery shop make one for you. While not cheap, and when you do the math it may still be less expensive to find another second hand chair, it is not as expensive as a replacement from Herman Miller. Plus the shop I use will buff out your aluminum frame making it look shiny and new if you so desire.
My back up plan has been...
My back up plan has been to find another one in leather that is in good shape (if anyone has or finds one please let me know!). I just hate to leave a project unfinished.
I wonder what happens when the foam kicks it in these older chairs though.
The person at HM I spoke to said they literally threw away the cushion molds and the schematics for the older chairs back in the 70's when they retooled.
Replace foam
If I'm not mistaken, under the bottom of each cushion of the soft pad there is a zipper. If the foam gives out, you can simply unzip and replace. Just like a pillow. However if the fabric or leather is damaged, then you need to redo the entire cover.
I may be able to get a soft pad chair in good condition, but it is the high-back executive version and is in brown leather. If that might work for you, let me know.
Aluminum Lounge
I had an aluminum group mid-height lounge redone. Total cost was about $1000. It looks okay, but not as crisp as the factory ones. A factory mid-height lounge would have cost about $1400. So, not too much difference between the vintage redo and the brand new. If I had known the total cost before i bought the chair I might have chosen differently. Or tried a DIY.
I know there are cheaper...
I know there are cheaper alternatives, but honestly, I think it's more cost effective to just seek out a chair in better condition. They're not rare, and the economy is soft enough that you can get a decent deal on a nice one.
I bought 6 nice aluminum group chairs for $75 each on eBay about 2 years ago. Admittedly, I fell into a deal, but they're out there. I have a newer naugahyde model in mint condition that I picked up for less than $200. I routinely see them listed on eBay and Craigslist for $200-300...sometimes less. These chairs just aren't rare enough to justify the high reupholstering costs (whether HM does it the right way or another shop does it). Now, a 670/671 lounge, particularly a vintage rosewood chair? That's worth the cost to send it to Hume Modern to do it right.
fm
Aluminum Group anew
Thanks for the info Pegboard, much appreciated.
I have a line on three fabric covered soft pad chairs. I'm considering having them done in leather as the fabric, although in good condition is just not going to match my surroundings.
You mentioned that you have used a shop. Share the connection?
Thanks!
RE: Pegboard Modern's comment about eames soft pad chair reupholstery
Hello. I've done a search for technical info on reupholstering the Eames soft pad management chair, and your comment came up. Would you be willing to share the name of the upholsterer you reference in your response of 2009. I need technical advise to continue with a set I am attempting to reupholster for a client. Thanks!
I have a high back aluminum...
I have a high back aluminum group chair with a cracked cover that I've been dragging around the country for years. I'd like to finally replace the cover (and start using the chair), so I'd love to have this information as well! Thanks.
(edited by DA - link removed)
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