I just picked up a Wegner CH 52 in beech and fabric off Craigslist for $100. Nice find, but the chair is ooold and needs some loving. Or a total facelift. Can't decide, and therein lies my dilemma.
The fabric has to go - no question about it. Thinking about replacing it in leather, as that tends to be easier to care for and has a longer longevity.
But for the wood...what should I do? It seems to be lacquered (shiny), but it might be soaped and just really really gross. The color is varied all over the chair: very bright, natural on the underside; dark brown on parts of the arms, golden elsewhere. Everything has that look that beech takes on - sort of like a toasted marshmallow.
Will it totally ruin the chair to sand it all down and start anew, or should I work on preserving the patina? Some of the joints need to be knocked apart and re-glued too. (I will post some more photos tomorrow when I get good light)
Any advice? Thoughts? Witty, inappropriate comments? All are appreciated.
Cool chair I definitely wou...
Cool chair
I definitely wouldn't sand the chair unless absolutely necessary. The uneven color is from dirt and grime, oils that have built up over the years. Try cleaning it with mineral spirits and a rag or lightly with a white scotchbrite pad.. You will also be able to tell if the lighter spots (which are more than likely finish loss) get darker and even out when wet with the mineral spirits.
If it still looks like crap you can clean it with tsp and hot water. this will really clean it and even out the finish.
Than put a fresh coat or two of finish. Most likely an oil finish
And be sure to remove the old glue when re-glueing the joints or they'll fail
I'm guessing it's a
lacquer finish, which is easy to strip with lacquer thinner or acetone (don't use water, it'll raise the grain and you'll have to sand).
I don't know if beech takes an oil finish all that well, though. It's not an oily wood, is it? It's also got a very closed grain. I think there might be a reason why it is usually lacquered.
No pics
Naturally, I forgot the pictures this morning.
I did take a damp paper towel to one of the arms and what came off was gross orangy-yellow. When done the finish was a little tacky to the touch. Nicotine? Bad lacquer?
Also - random question, but does anyone know the value of this chair? I havent found any auctions for it in the States, and I'm wary of using Lauritz. Value might decide the course of action for the finish.
Finally
The old brain rememebered to get some photos this morning in the light. As you can see the finish is worn, and not in a pleasing patina kind of a way. I'm going to try a little bit of lacquer remover and see what happens.
I'd love to oil it when it's done. I know Spanky had wondered about soaped/oiled finishes on the beech, but Carl Hansen offers them, so it must be possible.
I emailed CH to see if they knew what the stamp was all about - a date or a serial number. No response yet.
If you need any help, please contact us at – info@designaddict.com