Bent Wood Rocking Chair Repair
Bentwood furniture is created by heating wood pieces with steam, bending them into shapes, then allowing them to dry. The wood stays in that configuration once the drying process completes. This method was used to make furniture in the 18th century, and many antique pieces are used today. Rocking chairs frequently loosen and crack because of age and wear. The wood should be repaired before the chair is used to prevent the chair from breaking and injuring someone. Repairing a bentwood rocking chair requires basic woodworking materials. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Sponge
- Liquid dish soap
- Towel
- Rags
- Epoxy glue
- Clamps
- Wax pencil
- Saw
- Wood putty
- Razor blade
- Putty knife
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Wood stain
- Paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Wipe down the chair with a soft sponge, warm water and several drops of liquid dish soap. This removes dirt buildup. Wood is vulnerable to water, so thoroughly dry the rocking chair with a towel once you're done cleaning it.
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2
Re-glue loose bentwood components into place with an epoxy glue. Wipe away excess glue before it dries and hold the loose piece in place until the glue starts to harden. Some cracks can be glued back together, then clamped in place to hold the wood together until it dries.
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3
Fill in any scratches in the bentwood with a wax pencil that closely matches the color of the rocking chair. Wax pencils often are used on wood floors to hide scratches and are available in floor repair kits at furniture or hardware stores.
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4
Remove any broken or cracked pieces from the chair. Replace them with pieces from another bentwood chair. You may find old chairs usable for parts at flea markets, second-hand stores or garage sales. Carefully remove the replacement piece from its own frame, then secure it into the rocking chair with the epoxy glue. You may need to cut down the piece with a saw to match the size of the old piece.
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5
Fill cracks in the seat of the chair with a wood putty by inserting it into the crack with a razor blade, then using a putty knife to spread it over the top of the crack. Wipe away excess with a rag and let the putty dry. Sand the repair with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth it down once it is dried.
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6
Apply a fresh coat of wood stain to the rocking chair with a paintbrush to restore the finish and to ensure the repairs blend in with the rest of the chair.
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