Reupholstering a Chair: Take Two

[Meredith]

As I uncover this old, nasty fabric and stuffing to prepare the chair for upholstering, I'm realizing that there are copious amounts of nails and staples in this wood. I have blisters from using pliers to pull some of them out.

Do you think maybe the wood has been compromised by all of these nail holes, or will it be fine? I swear, there's billions of them.

I'm fluffing a bunch of dust about as I remove this stuff, and now I have a sore throat. I'm starting to wonder if it's really worth it to recycle, reuse, and save money by reupholstering as opposed to buying a new chair. Dangit, I love this chair. Gah.

[Camille]

If you are worried, isn't there some type of wood epoxy you can buy to fill the holes? (hoping somebody more wood knowledgeable will come along...) I swear I heard my wasband talk about it...

[Camille]

Oh! And go buy yourself one of those dust mask thingies! I know people who use them while baling hay to save their throats/noses...

[jessiehannan]

The wood will be fine. Just be acreful when nailing/stapling things back together, to make sure you don't hit a funky spot and split the wood. IA about the dust mask.

[Meredith]

I don't know why I didn't think of getting a dust mask earlier. I'll have to get one. Thanks for the reminder!

[Kassandra]

Get some good work gloves too - it will help with the blisters.

I figured that out after taking the fabric off of a seat chair. After removing one BEELLION staples, I had blisters too.

[Amy_G_]

you can get liquid wood stabilizer that you paint into the holes and it fills the wood and makes it stronger. but that is usually used if the wood is rotting away, not just full of holes from staples and small nails.

[Camille]

you can get liquid wood stabilizer that you paint into the holes and it fills the wood and makes it stronger. but that is usually used if the wood is rotting away, not just full of holes from staples and small nails.

See, I just knew somebody who knew what they were talking about would come along and tell you what I was (ineffectively) trying to say! "lol9"

[QuiltyConscience]

I have no clue. I would have wussed out at blisters. Maybe.

[Meredith]

I don't *think* the wood is rotting. AFAIK, it's just full of holes. It wouldn't hurt to use it anyway, though, would it? I might consider that.

I stopped after my hand started hurting, and I saw the blisters. They're not too bad. I should definitely get some good gloves, too - thanks, Kass. I'm surprised at the things I didn't think of before starting this.