Replies

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Jan 29, 2012 11:46am | #1

   Here is how you can determine the finish that's on the chair.

   http://www.hardwoodlumberandmore.com/Articles/ArticleViewPage/tabid/75/ArticleId/20/What-is-That-Finish.aspx

2. 
   Westchester | Jan 29, 2012 06:07pm | #2

   Rocker

   strip + sand - after prep work - make your color - light sealer - apply stencils with gilding powder, and a stenciling brush - heavier tamping on the edges of the stencil cut outs.  Seal again and top coat. 

   Shellac and lacquer combo is what I like to use but there are a 1/2 dozen options for finishing.

   SA

3. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 29, 2012 06:20pm | #3

   Looks like a product of the Hitchcock Chair Co  which made many many of such items patterned after 19th century "fancy chairs".  These were industrial factory furniture and the finish is almost certainly lacquer, though by now it may have deteriorated enough that the alcohol test for determining the finish may show it softening.  (They weren't the only maker of such furniture, but is a good guess---it doesn't matter much since Hitchcock bit the dust some time ago.)

   Stripper will remove the old finish.  Remember that it will also remove the stencil work, so if you want to restore that too, you should begin with some good digital pictures, blow them up to life size, and make the stencils while you can still compare to the original.  There are plenty of ways, in just about any art supply company to redo gold stencil material. 

   I think you may find that much of the color was in the top coat finish that has deteriorated.  This means you will likely need to use a powdered water soluble dye to restore color to the bare wood.  (A Minwax type dye and pigment stain in a can will likely blotch pretty badly on the diffuse porous wood you are likely to find under the old finish.  Of course, if you have spray capabilities, spraying a lightly toned top coat to build up to the desired color would be the best way to replicate the original finish.)

4. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 30, 2012 12:50am | #4

   Looks like a product of the

   Looks like a product of a company which made many many of such items patterned after 19th century "fancy chairs".  These were industrial factory furniture and the finish is almost certainly lacquer, though by now it may have deteriorated enough that the alcohol test for determining the finish may show it softening.  (They weren't the only maker of such furniture, but is a good guess---it doesn't matter much since Hitchcock bit the dust some time ago.) 

   Stripper will remove the old finish.  Remember that it will also remove the stencil work, so if you want to restore that too, you should begin with some good digital pictures, blow them up to life size, and make the stencils while you can still compare to the original.  There are plenty of ways, in just about any art supply company to redo gold stencil material. The gold was likely applied after the color coats of finish were applied and protected by one final coat of clear coat. 

   I think you may find that much of the color was in the top coat finish that has deteriorated.  This means you will likely need to use a powdered water soluble dye to restore color to the bare wood.  (A Minwax type dye and pigment stain in a can will likely blotch pretty badly on the diffuse porous wood you are likely to find under the old finish.  Of course, if you have spray capabilities, spraying a lightly toned top coat to build up to the desired color would be the best way to replicate the original finish.)

5. 
   jpwglw | Jan 31, 2012 04:41pm | #5

   Thank you!

   Thanks to all of you!

   You've given me a great deal of information and a number of ideas that I'll start on (while watching the Super Bowl, Patriots fan here, I live in New England).

   Again, thank you all!

   Janet