Using Eames shell chairs outdoors?  

Hi
Standing water and prolonged exposure to sun and the elements will ruin the finish. If you keep them covered, they should last for a while.
(I presume you're referring to the fiberglass version)

Hello.
If you don't care about ever reselling them, you could drill a few holes in the seat and coat them with Penetrol. That will prevent the rain or snow from puddling on them. I'd only think you could get maybe 5 or so years out of them before they start looking not so good.

UV might not be a...
UV might not be a particularly big concern for you give the location, but it will definitely eat resin and fiberglass. And fade the color. Southwest desert sunlight is brutal.

thanks all!
Yes, it would be the fiberglass ones.
I do plan on keeping them in the garage most of the year, possibly even just taking them out when I actually eat at the table.
And I don't think I could ever drill holes in them (shudder!)

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"Slightly ratty" is still good enough for indoor use as far as I am concerned.
Why destroy them if they are not already destroyed?
"Completely fucked" is what they will be when used outdoors.
Just sayin'.

Make it rain up in here!
Buy some with crappy upholstery. They usually sell for less anyway. Strip that off and you'll probably find holes in them already.

I have 6 around a table on...
I have 6 around a table on my covered patio in Colorado. They have seen some blowing and sitting snow and a lot of morning/late afternoon sun in the year they have been out there. They seem to be holding up ok. I was expecting to see some rust on the old h-bases after the winter at least. They certainly don't hide any dirt or dust, and always need a bit of a clean before use.

Buy some s#¡++¡?r ones
Buy some old ones with ripped or damaged upholstery (meaning they already have holes in the bottom to let air through) then remove the upholstery and if they are a lighter color then you won't notice the fading. Using orange chairs outside is just gonna make them fade from the sun and standing water in the seat bucket.

0r...
you could make some lowball offers on ebay, on standard (no fabric) shells that have already been drilled by former owners.
OR maybe buy a couple of shells with cracks at the corner of the seat, then you wouldn't be worrying about them because you got them cheap.
I have had two arm shells outside on a covered deck for a very long time, and all they need is an occasional wiping down. In summer, they get a bit of direct morning sun, but no fading has occurred. The low x bases were rusty to begin with, and I like the look anyway, so no big deal.

No
I don't even leave my Schultz 1966/Leasure chairs out unless I'm having an event on the deck. The only chairs that are really safe outdoors is the Richard Schultz Topiary chairs and benches.

No
I don't even leave my Schultz 1966/Leasure chairs out unless I'm having an event on the deck. The only chairs that are really safe outdoors is the Richard Schultz Topiary chairs and benches.

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Could you get them gel coated in a UV resistant clear? There is this product which sounds ideal, but I don't know much about fibreglass and resins, a lot of products on the market though.
http://www.bottompaintstore.com/gelcoat-clear-hiuv-p-10333.html

No
I don't even leave my Schultz 1966/Leasure chairs out unless I'm having an event on the deck. The only chairs that are really safe outdoors is the Richard Schultz Topiary chairs and benches.

yes
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