Hi, is there any expert forum where i can answers to specific questions on restoring and finishing my grandpa's simple old wood armchair? Thanks.

Hello @JudySmith and welcome aboard.  Glad to have you here.

This forum has a wealth of knowledgeable members, at least two of which have done professional furniture restoration and finishing.  Go ahead and post up a question or two to get started!

Oh, btw - new members generally break the ice by bringing donuts... I'll be looking for a blueberry cake myself tomorrow

Welcome! Pictures of what you have are really helpful. Our resident finisher @kmealy should be along shortly with his vast knowledge!

7 hours ago, Cal said:

Go ahead and post up a question or two to get started!

Um, OK, but prior to jumping the gun, the problem is (and i say this seriously) mine is not "a question or two" rather its many prep-questions, as it's my first and probably only restoration attempt, and it would flounder without nitty gritty answers, especially as i'm health compromised.

 

I've found it can be risky (or futile) to ask nitty gritty questions (and many of them). So if its not risky or futile, I hope to post a fresh new post along with pics.

 

I also hope nobody is turned off by the basic no-frills armchair. (See, the fact is, the sole reason i'm spending so much research time on this, is because my BIL bailed me out of a nightmare flood that was caused by a cracked flex-hose nut, and the chair is the only item i own which has sentimental value to my BIL, and which i can repay him with. On a tangent, since you're woodworkers, it may interest that the first 2 days post-flood i even heard explosively-LOUD snapping sounds coming from the subfloor where the worst flooding was.

Edited June 2, 20242 yr by JudySmith

Don’t like the sound of that- no pun intended! Loud noises should be investigated. 
 

You’ll find this site very helpful, no matter how you phrase your questions. I think @kmealy is at a youth theater today. He will have some answers when he gets here. Again, pictures are really helpful. 

1 hour ago, lew said:

Don’t like the sound of that- no pun intended! Loud noises should be investigated.

 

Well disaster-recovery guys are supposed to come this week to assess it, that's if the road-work guys (who picked just this crucial time to repair my hole-filled road after years-long wait) don't decide to come precisely when they do, which is how murphys law often plays out for me, despite my best nitty gritty efforts.

 

OK, getting ready to post my itemized questions as a new post. Thanks.

Edited June 2, 20242 yr by JudySmith

Welcome to the site Judy.

So that's where s'yhpruM been. 

Yeah, very occupied w/me

21 minutes ago, JudySmith said:

Yeah, very occupied w/me

 

I'm very familiar with "Him". 

Seeing pics of gramp's old chair, it is not just a simple armchair. 

Having been through a similar situation with a broken pipe under the house I feel your pain.  I hope you have good insurance and that they do right by you.  Don't let them (insurance or repair folks) take any shortcuts.

Back to your chair, with all the moisture under the house - be sure the chair is thoroughly dry before applying any finish.

@JudySmith

 

 You stated the chair has sentimental value to your BIL. He may want it just the way it is. 

Edited June 3, 20242 yr by Larry Buskirk

5 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

@JudySmith

 

 You stated the chair has sentimental value to your BIL. He may want it just the way it is. 

My thoughts exactly, see my replies. I say knock the dirt off, get some finish on it done. I like the way it looks. If she completely refinishes it, it aint grandpas chair anymore.