Chair Makeover

Giving a retro wire chair a new lease on life.

How to give a retro wire chair a new lease on life.

Round wire chairs have a classic look of the 1950s and 60s. Designed to be comfortable with or without cushions, they’re functional both indoors and out.

This sturdy chair had been hand-welded from steel but had developed surface rust over time. A return to former glory was in order – achieved in five straightforward steps.

You will need

• Drop cloth

• Earmu s, mask and gloves

• Electric sander

• Rags

• Resene Thinner No.10

• Resene Rust-Arrest anti-corrosive primer

• Paint stirrer and brushes

• Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss (I used the colour Resene Korma)

• Fabric, cushion filling and scissors

• Sewing machine and thread

Method

Step 1: Choose a well-ventilated area and lay out drop cloth. Assemble materials.

Step 2: Wearing earmu s, mask and gloves, use an electric sander to bu chair all over to remove surface rust and rust flakes. Wipe chair all over using a rag and Resene Thinner No.10.

Step 3: Wearing a mask and gloves, thoroughly mix the Resene Rust-Arrest anti-corrosive primer. Paint chair all over with an even coat of primer. Allow 24 hours to dry. Clean brush using a rag and Resene Thinner No.10.

Step 4: Paint chair all over with an even coat of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel. Allow several hours to dry before applying a second coat.

Step 5: Cut double of outer fabric to a shape fitting the chair, including extra to create an overlapping flap on the cushion back. Use cushion filling and lightweight fabric to sew an inner cushion. Sew outer cover and insert cushion filling using back flap.