I got this set of four Moller 75 chairs for $200, but they are pretty badly compromised from being painted (but otherwise in good solid condition). They were painted or stained black at some point. The black coating appears to be a black stain with some kind of matte clear coat on top of it. In any case it seems almost impervious to chemical paint stripper. I sanded the face of one of the chair backs (see image), and found that the wood is quite light (and not teak, as I had hoped). I am guessing beech, or oak? It turns a golden color if you put some mineral spirits on it. If anyone has any insights into stripping wood in this state, I would appreciate it. I can see how it might strike some as a waste of time/effort, especially as I already have a nice set of six Model 71 chairs, but I do not mind restoration projects.
The grain of this wood collec...
The grain of this wood collects a lot of whatever this black stuff is (I am still thinking it is stain, with a clear coat on top), so I will be surprised if it will be possible to entirely remove it without sanding. Unless there is a chemical that works, I think sanding will be unavoidable. I sanded the face of the chair back first because it is the flattest, easiest part to sand, and probably the only part I can use a power sander on (a random orbit with 150 grit). Sanding the legs, etc., by hand will require quite a bit of time and effort.
YIKES! If it was a well done ...
YIKES! If it was a well done job I'd leave it as is. You or others would know but perhaps they were/are offered with this finish? It wouldn't suprise me if they had done this over less desired woods, why not? If this was the case you could be getting a nasty surprise with mismatching grain and colour on your chairs.
Personally I think you're making a mistake stripping them but each to their own.
The reason I tried stripping/...
The reason I tried stripping/sanding this particular chair was because someone else had already tried in the past, and had given up. They had put some kind of solvent on the legs of the chair, and it had stained the upholstery fabric around the legs (visible in this image). However, while I can see that the black finish had to have been applied with no upholstery on the chair, I cannot immediately see evidence that the upholstery has been replaced, or is not original. I peeled back this black trim tape, revealing the upholstery staples, and I do not see any old staple or tack holes from a prior upholstery installation, although I would have to remove the existing staples to be certain.
I did more looking, but have not been able to find any painted Moller chairs, or mention of any.
The chairs are
oak from what I can see on the back sanded part.
You need to have them acid cat laquered in black. Not to expensive as you simply seek out a good car spray shop to do it for you.
Remember to get a low shine finish otherwise you will end up with horrible looking shiny plastic chairs.
I emailed J.L. Møllers...
I emailed J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik. I could not see any evidence of re-upholstery on the other three chairs either.
The original Craigslist ad (which is still up for the moment) says that the chairs had an aftermarket spray and upholstery job, and originally had cord seats. I guess I was primed to believe that, having no knowledge of painted Moller chairs, but now I at least know that the chairs had no cord seats (as the ad claims), as there were never any nails installed for the cording.
The ad had been up for some days, and I could not believe the thrift shop still had them when I walked in yesterday.
Factory or not
It may simply be that the client ordered the chairs in colour as was the case for many chairs of that age.
Wishbone, Luffe, J39, J16 rocking chair.
The cord CAN be woven to the frame without nails as the cord is wrapped around the siderail. A single strand is used and it is a skill I only know 1 person in denmark capable of completing.
The tell tale sign is if BOTH the top and bottom of the siderails are rounded the likelyhood of nail-less seat is high.
The original finish was brush...
The original finish was brush applied, and you can see some brush marks on the top of the side rails in the corners (as in the right-hand side of the image above). But those brush marks are about the same as the brush marks from where factory oil finish was applied to the teak chairs I have.
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