A post just for Dad

So here is a post just for my Dad.... and any other lurking woodworkers out there...

So Dad, this weekend we brought home those two neat rockers from the cabin. I brought them home to recover one myself and have the other done. Here is the "before" picture to refresh your memory. Not a great picture, but I wasn't thinking about doing "before" pictures of the rockers.

So, Monday morning I took the leather upholstered rocker the one at the bottom left corner to the upholsterer who has done all my stuff. I took it over to him because the cushion has springs, and although I have tackled that sort of thing before it isn't my favorite. But after all, I felt his price was too high. So I hauled it home and decided to tackle it myself. The other rocker has come out beautifully, by the way, although it still needs a bit of gluing.

Well anyways, today I pulled the leather off the front and back of the chair back and imagine my surprise when I found this.....

Which now leads me to several questions....

Is it remotely possible that it was in fact supposed to be an upholstered back and that this middle piece was just a support?

And if so, why would it be decorative at all?

I do really like the back and would MUCH prefer not to reupholster it again. So do you think that the tack holes can be effectively filled in?

I think it will need to be stripped, etc... what products do you think are most effective these days for this sort of a job.

So Dad, What say you? You can respond via email or by posting a comment. Thanks!

So here's what Dad said.....

Hi Heather:

Nice surprise. I believe that is the original part of the chair. It wouldn't be in that shape if it were just meant for support.

Yes I think you will need to strip the rocker and fill all the holes. I haven't kept up with materials for some time now but I would think if you checked at an antique store or collective you could find Greens or US Cellulose for stripping. Just get the thin since you aren't stripping paint. I would fill the holes with an oak filler. (I'm assuming the wood is oak).

Sounds like fun. Good luck.

Dad

Comments

Unknown said…

it is wierd that the middle design is the same as our dining room chairs--maybe same company

pam

7:10 PM

Cathi said…

Heather, good for you for doing this yourself! I can see you're going to work miracles on the cabin, one chair at a time : )

7:23 AM

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