eames fiberglass chair has a small star crack from screw!

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James-2

(@james-2)

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18/08/2006 6:43 am

I recently purchased this chair and a few others for only a dollar each at a local college surplus sale. I cleaned them up and noticed that the screws that hold the base on were replace by larger allen headed screws, one of which pushed up into the fiberglass creating a small dime or smaller star patterned crack in the top. Structurally the chair is fine but is there a way to back the star out and patch it that doesn't decrease its value? Maybe there is a good epoxy that could be used? Paint? Any ideas? I also got a couple of padded chairs of the same make and vintage that the leather (synthetic maybe) has come up on the top. How much would it cost roughly to reapposter that (it comes off very easily)?

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koen

(@koen)

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18/08/2006 7:42 am

The right method...
is to get some clear polyester (epoxy will not do the job nicely) clean the crack with thinner (use mineral based thinner not turpentine)to make sure that the polyester adheres well and to remove any dirt that might be visible. If it is difficult to clean tighten the screw evr so slightly to open up the cracks (watch it because the gelcoat is not very flexible. If a small part brakes off just put it back in the right position. Put in the polyester/catalist mix and rubit in carefully, slowly un tighten the screw and the cracks will close on the polyester. 24 hrs later, sand the surface (800 grid)and buff.
good luck!

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NULL NULL

(@vegashooteryahoo-com)

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Joined: 5 years ago

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18/08/2006 9:15 am

pennies on the dollar
you bought those chairs for a dollar..Its seems like you already got those chair at a value as it is. Why care about the chairs decreasing in value?

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James-2

(@james-2)

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18/08/2006 9:37 am

I'm talking about overall value
The reason I said value is because I am very aware that these chairs are worth much more than one dollar. What I do want to do is return them closer to their original condition.

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James-2

(@james-2)

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18/08/2006 9:38 am

what about the finish?
If I sand it won't that take off the original color finish? If so what do you recommend doing to repaint it? is there a special kind of paint? What kind of paint did the chair originally come with?

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koen

(@koen)

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19/08/2006 2:53 am

There is no paint
on the polyester shells. The colour is a gel coat. If you sand it carefully with a 800 grit you will not go through the gel coat layer.

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