"fix" stain on an old rocking chair

[masraum]

We recently had this chair reupholstered. Now the missus wants to see if there's a way to fix the finish where peoples hands have worn it off.

Does anyone have any ideas on the best way to accomplish this without having to do the whole thing over again? It'd be nice if we could just do a spot fix.

Just before we had it reupholstered.


Just back from the upholstery shop.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by peteremsley

Watco stain/oil might be a good start, assuming it isn't/wasn't clear coated. I've used it a few times with success.

Nope, no clear coat, just an old rocker with some stain. I think some oil would darken it up a bit, but I'm pretty sure the missus would want it to be really close to the rest of the chair, so I'm thinking it'll have to be something with some stain in it.

[GH85Carrera]

I would suggest you leave it alone. It is honest wear and use. Replacing the upholstery is fine, but altering the finish is often the wrong thing to do. Just my opinion. It is not my chair or my wife urging the "fix."

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I would suggest you leave it alone. It is honest wear and use. Replacing the upholstery is fine, but altering the finish is often the wrong thing to do. Just my opinion. It is not my chair or my wife urging the "fix."

That's my thought as well. Maybe I'll oil it and see if she's happier with the looks. THe difference in contrast between the rubbed areas is not as stark as it appears in the closeup.

[Tobra]

A little oil to protect it, but patina on an old rocker is good.

[craigster59]

We use this in the movie biz to touch up furniture. Works great but as others have said, you can't beat patina.

[ledhedsymbols]

I also use the same product on radio cabinets. Put some Howard's Feed N Wax on after and it will last much longer.

[masraum]

Thanks guys. I'll find some of the Howards.

[wdfifteen]

Plain old oil stain will work fine. Stain isn't like paint, you apply some, wipe it off, and if you think it's too dark you just wipe some more off. If it's too light you keep applying it until you get the depth of color you want.
I suspect the Restore-A-Finish is like Formby's furniture refinisher, in that it dissolves the old finish and smears it around to even it out. I might not work in your situation, with so much of the stain missing.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I suspect the Restore-A-Finish is like Formby's furniture refinisher, in that it dissolves the old finish and smears it around to even it out. I might not work in your situation, with so much of the stain missing.

good point, I was reading after I posted and it did sound like it relies on some of the original stain to be there. In that spot, there's not really much of the original stain at all.

[KFC911]

I use "Old English" for scratches and things like this....

[slodave]

Please leave it as is....

[MBAtarga]

100 yrs from now when your great great great granddaughter brings that chair to the Antique Roadshow - the Keno brothers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leigh_and_Leslie_Keno) - are going to flip out when they tell her that had the finish been left original, the chair would have been worth $$$$$, but now is worth $$ because their great great great grandparents thought it would like "better" being freshened up.

[billybek]

Originally Posted by slodave

Please leave it as is....

Yes!

Think of all the people who had contributed to it looking the way it does!

[GH85Carrera]

Guys, remember his WIFE wants it done.

Remember the simple words to a happy marriage "Yes Dear"

It is just a chair.

As I said earlier, personally I would leave it alone and at most put some oil on in.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

100 yrs from now when your great great great granddaughter brings that chair to the Antique Roadshow - the Keno brothers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leigh_and_Leslie_Keno) - are going to flip out when they tell her that had the finish been left original, the chair would have been worth $$$$$, but now is worth $$ because their great great great grandparents thought it would like "better" being freshened up.

Yep, I get it, but the odds of it lasting another 100 years and our decendents still having it are pretty slim. Also, it's not in perfect shape, and I don't think it's a piece that's likely to be super valuable.

[wdfifteen]

Wood needs to be protected. 100 years from now there won't be any arms on the chair if you don't do something to protect it.
It's not like you're taking a nice '30 Buick and chopping it up to turn it into a rat rod. If you refinish it it will be the same chair it was with a new chance at a new patina. Just don't use polyurethane varnish on it.
Plus, it's your chair.

[HardDrive]

Leave it. That patina is history.