Refurb project this winter

[Chaz]

My wife picked up a collapsible, low, rocking chair at the Cotton Ginning Days in Dallas. It needs some love

It's Pretty Good Shape. Hardwood, it may be walnut or mahogany. well-made. No maker's mark. It needs upholstery work. The thin plywood, that supports the seat cushion, is delaminated and broken. The fringe should be replaced, as should the foam cushion.

The cloth will be replaced. That's going to be a problem. The new fabric won't have the same patina as the wood. I'm wondering if I shouldn't refinish it as long as the upholstery being completely redone.

Thoughts?

 

[Mike Davis]

Clean the wood very gently if needed, do not refinish.
There are specialty upholstery weavers who make reproduction cloth for antique furniture.
It is pricy, like over $200 /yard.

 

[Chaz]

Clean the wood very gently if needed <snip>

With what? Suggestions?

I'm assuming this has a few years (decades?) worth of dust-encrusted Pledge to deal with.

 

[pop-pop]

Murphy's Oil Soap maybe?

 

[Mike Davis]

How to Clean Antique Wood Furniture: A Step-by-Step Guide | Van Dyke's Restorers

Want to learn how to clean antique wood furniture? Van Dyke's breaks it all down in this step-by-step guide, from finish testing to cleaning solutions.

www.vandykes.com

 

[Berta]

Murphy’s oil soap can also remove the wax. A little will go a long way.

 

[Westpacx3]

Washing new fabrics in tea will stain fabric to age it. You can do a practice sample on some scraps. An upholstery shop that been around awhile would have remnants most likely.