How to Restore a Wooden Infant High Chair

Restoring an infant high chair will depend on why you are doing it. If you are sprucing up a garage-sale find for sale, then you will want to make your restoration as authentic as possible. But if you are making an old chair usable for your own infant, safety will be far more important than authenticity. Either way, the process follows the same basic steps.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden infant high chair in need of restoration
• Drywall hammer (rubber or plastic head)
• Towel
• Sandpaper
• Paint or varnish
• Wood glue
• Vice grips

Instructions

Safety Check

1. Research the kind of varnish or paint used originally on the chair. If the chair is old enough, the paint or varnish could be toxic. Although this might be OK for an antique to sell, you definitely want to replace it for a working high chair.

2. Check all the joints in the chair for stability. If the joints are weak or wobbly, they will need to be repaired.

3. If the chair has rails in the back or the arms, check the distance between them. If the distance is 3 inches or greater, a baby can get stuck between them. In this case the chair is unsuitable for use by infants and should be treated only as an antique for resale.

Paint and Varnish

1. If you can match the paint or varnish on the chair, you can buy the matching cover and touch up any nicks, scratches or dings on the chair. If the original paint is toxic, it's best to strip and recover the entire chair.

2. Remove the original paint or varnish using sandpaper. Although chemical strippers are available, all strippers are toxic and should be avoided with infant furniture. While sanding, take the time to smooth out any dents, dings or scratches in the wood.

3. Paint or varnish the exposed wood to match your needs. With an antique for sale, you will paint to match classic design. For personal use, go with whatever suits you. Be sure to use non-toxic paints if the chair will eventually be used by a baby.

Repairing Joints

1. Check the loose joint for the cause of looseness. If the glue is just old or loose, you can glue the joint. If there is structural damage to the wood ,you will need to replace it.

2. Pull the joint apart. If it's too tight to do by hand, use the hammer or vice grips. While doing so, pad the wood with your towel to prevent damage to the wood.

3. If the wood is structurally damaged you will need to replace the damaged part. For some models, you can order the replacement from a restoration/antiquing supply store or catalog. In other cases, you might need the part specially made to match.

4. Glue the joint. Pour wood glue into the joint hole until it's halfway filled with glue. Wipe a thin layer of glue around the end and tip of the wood that goes in the joint hole. Insert in the joint, wiping off any excess glue with your towel.

5. Check that the chair is level and even. If not, adjust the angle of the joint while the glue is still drying.

6. Wait until the glue is dry and the joint solid before doing more work on the chair.

References

• Data on Baby Furniture Safety