How to restore a strange chair from Russian warship

[@ATRestoration]

It's ugly and I like it!

[@barbaracatalano6299]

Me too and you haven’t even started yet!!

[@barbaracatalano6299]

Well it was fugly!! But it is fantastic now! ❤❤❤

[@christineherrmann205]

Honestly, I covet the finished piece. It's hella functional.

[@MrBlacksford]

😁👏

[@scottcates]

Say what you will but I absolutely love the aesthetic of the chair. It's rugged and historical and reminds me of steampunk style. Very nice, indeed. Its story and provenance are interesting and intriguing.

[@VeretenoVids]

Oh my gods. Leninsky Komsomol! Talk about a Soviet name! (For those who don't speak Russian, the name essentially translates as The Leninist Communist Youth League.) Bravo to you for not letting us forget history on so many levels!

[@olhahryshyna6023]

Fantastic idiot 😂

[@r1verman]

Losing the green and leaving the metal unpainted really elevated the look of this piece.

[@LuigiRosa]

1:09 «Luckily, no escape was necessary» is the best part of the story.

[@MlleAdler]

So my "recent" past is now a restorable piece of history, a legend?! I feel old! 👵 😹

[@barbarakeyser1221]

Love watching you work. All the great attention to detail. My dad was like that with every project. He's been gone for 20 years, still miss him everyday.

[@skyblue0329]

haces un trabajo extraordinario, felicitaciones! saludos desde México

[@carolf-nf1nb]

Do you have a little person who puts all your tools and equipment away for you???? That takes me forever!!!

[@pamelabraman7217]

I'm so glad your client decided to go with the industrial look. I can't picture the chair with any other color.

[@samanthadean1083]

You got to be careful with those old paints, a lot of them had lead in them!!! Awesome job!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻❤️❤️❤️

[@kayinca411]

OMG, what a transformation. When first shown, my immediate reaction was the urge to toss the chair into the junk heap. At the end of the restoration, my immediate reaction was the urge to sit in it and give myself a happy spin. Hurray for AT Restoration!

[@christineherrmann205]

You took a hunk of rusted, green-painted metal and turned it into an absolute showpiece. Awesome. Evey time I'm amazed at how much wood you save.

[@addictedstamper52]

You made something that looked like it should go in the junkyard into something someone would be proud to put in their home.

[@sherihewitt1427]

I miss the intro music! It’s so perfect and sets the mood.

[@neilstutely3147]

The wax finished on the metal work was definitely the way to go. Great work.

[@nancynewlin]

Your sewing helper did a fine job! And you did, too!!!😊

[@wendygrelik6373]

I love that the base is not painted. Looks so much nicer that way! Great job!

[@TukikoTroy]

That's beautiful, it reminds me of what we used to call an 'engineer's chair'.

[@gamera1962]

I think how the foot rest only goes half around is a simple but smart design feature.

[@lynnyoung1059]

A gorgeous restoration! I appreciate how you find things that have stories. This chair will be appreciated for many more years.

[@wendellmacscience3633]

You never cease to amaze me with your craftsmanship. I wondered what you were going to do with this one because, like almost every piece you have restored, it started off looking pretty unsalvageable. Now the chair looks fantastic! Two thumbs up to both you and your friend who did the sewing. The story behind the chair is so intriguing. Thank you for sharing that. Glad the escape boat wasn’t needed. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@scottcates]

Your method of fitting in new wood patches is fantastic. I really like the fitting, shaping, processing, and finishing of your wood repairs.

[@annettev8362]

Hello 👋🏻 from Southern California 🌴 I am always impressed with the quality of your restoration of interesting pieces. Wishing you Happy Holidays from across the ocean...

[@michalnixon6137]

Totally agree…from England! ❤

[@chrigunrestauration]

Another video where you can learn a lot. Very cool. 😀😀👍👍 Greetings, Chris

[@ATRestoration]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dshey6802]

The upholstery really makes the piece; you and your upholstery friend did a great job with the new materials. Also, going with the bare metal industrial look really works well overall. That green paint was awful.

[@JankoWalski-uo2br]

In addition to your professional skills, you also have an artistic sense. This renovation turned out nice.👍

[@НинаВахромеева-ж5н]

Сам по себе стул грубо сделан, но после вашей реставрации он почувствовал себя королевским троном!

[@pebblesthecat3625]

Now this is what I call a proper restoration. It looks so cool and "grungy" looking. You can really imagine this being a one eyed, vodka drinking sea captains chair now.

[@franceswray8340]

Such a beautifully engineered chair, so pleased that it was given to a master craftsman for restoration.

[@robertbamford8266]

Marvelous restoration. Marvelous story. Planning to use a Russian Admiral’s gig to escape from occupied Latvia. (Irony)^2

[@andreabenackova5975]

Congratulations on winning the competition. 😘😊

[@Melo-Study]

In the beginning, I was amazed that you didn't tell the client, "No! I will not restore this chair. It's just a pile of splinters!" 😄 I like the more industrial look of the bare metal. I think it's very interesting when you leave things for future restorers, like this green paint. You view yourself as one stage in the furniture's long life story, and I appreciate that idea. 🙂

[@lovingmayberry307]

I love the Industrial look, glad you didn't paint the metal. Your friend is a master sewer!

[@appolop8273]

Your work is 100 times better than Picasso. Bravo!

[@texanasimmons1761]

Nice restoration of an historic piece!❤

[@josephinehogg3629]

I see your beautifully restored works of art and cry, because my son chopped up and burned a magnificent old couch that I had adored and had been in storage for only 10 years, but rats had nested in it. It could have easily been recovered. 😞😞

[@pollyp5539]

You are a true class act to think to leave some of the old green paint for the next restorer to find. 🎉

[@timtaylor8406]

I would like to see you restore the sunken Russian speedboat. That Admiral must have been heavy. Excellent restoration.

[@marirothmann7793]

Greetings from Cape Town in South Africa. I just love your channel. Thanks for real enjoyable content. Mari Rothmann

[@biancabills9994]

Leaving a hint of the original paint colour for the next one to discover upon restoration is beyond lovely. Like finding a little treasure. 🩶

[@aizliegtsv]

Your attention to details is amazing. Even these ugly soviet-time screws were left. True restauration 👍

[@kazzrieneval4243]

Well done! Leaving the metal unpainted was a good call.

[@lornapenn-chester6867]

I think I would have sent the metal to be sandblasted! I love the end result ❤️👏👏

[@lynnew5619]

Not generally a fan of industrial pieces, but I really like this chair. Very nice restoration, and knowing its history was fun. 👏👏

[@melefth]

Another miracle: how do you make hideous things look good!!

[@MlleAdler]

Well, it was for an Admiral's speedboat. I'm making a prejudicial assumption about that time and place, but that chair was well made. Everyone, everywhere, everytime can have pride in their work! 👍 😸

[@isabelfernandavarela9156]

Excellent work and very careful! I loved the result! Congratulations 😁👏

[@ElaineWood-f2t]

You are a man of many skills and talents! That chair has quite the back story!! You did a fantastic job on it!

[@ruthfedrau5546]

Beautiful job! The no paint decision couldn't have been more right!

[@cecoya]

This chair is actually inviting to sit in now. Thanks for doing such a great restoration on it. The things that I like about your work compared to others is that you don't replace the parts unless you absolutely have to. Then you usually try to save the main components and fit pieces into the bigger part. You are not afraid of getting your hands dirty either. Your work is great and you save the piece. Have a great day Happy Holidays to you and yours

[@АллаИвановна-й6н]

Какой замечательный стул сделали русские и какая прекрасная реставрация настоящим мастером❤

[@originaltwyla4991]

Very unique chair, now your client can actually use it! ❤

[@simonwaters1965]

I love the background stories of the item and strangely, I like the finish 🫣

[@clutions]

I'm sorry, but I NEVER doubted it would turn out as it did! Awesome as usual!

[@angusmclaren6257]

It's a pretty cool chair now it has that full industrial look.

[@kevinallsopp9802]

What a great little unique chair, and back story. not something I would have expected on here. Love it. So glad it wasn't painted green, the industrial look is great. ❤️Well done.

[@welchtemplarmotorcycles2933]

5 layers of Soviet Era paint, my heart sank for you. Thought it may have taken a Nuke to shift it !! 🙈😖 Awsome work again !!

[@JB-hw3te]

Another first-rate restoration. I admire and respect your skills and artistry.

[@deltajohnny]

That was a heavy duty chair... built to last! And the final result is 😍😍😍😍

[@juliemarkham4332]

Who could even fit in that tiny chair? Great restoration!

[@arlenelamont5610]

Amazing how beautiful a simple stool can be. Glad you got the history of it, very interesting.

[@michaelhenderson5683]

Great work again Ahti and very interesting history of the chair 👏👏👍

[@aserta]

One thing i would've done different is i would've cleaned the finite wood pieces (the pieces that get covered in fabric/leather whatever) to bare wood and then used a simple lacquer to seal them + some pond liner material to face them (molded to the wood using a heatgun - 140~150 c and that material starts to shape really well), then put all the other stuff on top. One of the biggest reasons wood chairs, specifically covered wood chairs start to break apart is because of the continuous moisture that's being held against them. And this isn't even moisture from water directly even just sweat. It adds up. The best chairs i've ever worked on, were made in Finland and the woodworker had used molted (acetone) polystyrene lacquer to cover all the wood on the area that contacted the foam of the cushion and the stiffener of the backing pads. Really thick layers to the point where the oak had a milk-ish white kinda veiny texture to it. Not a single mark of degradation, almost 50 years of use by the owner has exterior chairs (patio). Insulate the wood and it will last longer.

[@marywhitehead1306]

Love the history included in your posts, you truly are the master of your craft!

[@juliecullom6955]

I absolutely love watching a Master Carpenter work. My father would do repairs to almost anything. He even built a swimming pool all by hisself (with the help of my High School buddies). I loved the smell of cut wood! My dad would use the sawdust & mix it in paraffin wax, then he’d make fire starter blocks for camp fires. Which worked well since my mom was a Girl Scout leader. Anyway, the work you do is outstanding!! Every piece you work on is now a masterpiece! I can’t wait to see your next endeavor!!!!

[@karencooper9185]

Another magnificent restoration and satisfying 15 minutes. You are a true Master.

[@deeskinner9014]

Oh my. So much better!!!! Really didn't like the green. The wax on the metal looks so much better. (^.^) Loved all the wood repair and that re-upholstery of the seat and back was kinda awesome. Thank you so much for posting!!!

[@johngassmann9581]

An incredible story to accompany this incredible restoration. Thanks for sharing.

[@CrabOfDoom]

That original chair sure was a POS (product of submersion). A good call to go more industrial with the refinishing, and an excellent job getting it there.

[@ionchhhhh4108]

I know you've worked on a lot fancier furniture on your channel before but this is my favourite one yet. I love the honesty of raw metal, as it displays the fabricator's skills, and the backrest is so straight to the point yet so inviting

[@darilynkrupp6309]

Nicely done once again. I appreciate that restoration for you is to keep as much as possible of the original, expertly repair where needed and make all finishes, whether wood, metal or fabric, of the best quality done with skill & mastery. I agree with your client that the metal looks better unpainted. The wood and leather compliment each other and the base well.

[@Quaker521]

Stunning transformation Ahti. I really like the finished look. Thanks for the upload.

[@glgreetham]

I have come to the conclusion that you are a Wizard! It takes magic to do what you do.❗️

[@katherineharper-sj4ys]

Really interesting story. The swivel chair turned out great. I like the rub n buff finish. Thanks for sharing.

[@Troutay]

Great piece of history. wonderful restoration!

[@xHarpyx]

Wow. Very understated piece with rich history. I love it ❤

[@oneshotme]

It looks great and you did an excellent job restoring it as well!!!! I enjoyed your video so I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@sarahlogan2075]

It looks great now, a conversation piece. What a history it has!

[@1957azerty]

always these original pieces of furniture and this extraordinary capacity for restoration, bravo ! this seat appears to have been made by workers and not cabinetmakers :-) screws, bolts, welds, steel, this chair could support tons... Magnifique

[@andreabenackova5975]

It's not ugly. I like it. 🤗

[@romankuznesov1921]

The quality is second to none!

[@pickletreewoodcraft7858]

What an unusual chair and an even more unusual story! It has a unique aesthetic for sure.

[@simonmcowan6874]

We had something similar an old captain's chair from a ship, very heavy base with wide set feet for stability, revolving elm seat, no cushion with a beech back, had holes in the feet casting to bolt it to the floor, handy in a storm !

[@jerrylong1344]

I am always amazed at the skills and equipment that you have. The smaller jobs that you do would not seem to support the time, material and equipment costs necessary to do this work (youtube revenue aside). I like your music as well. It reminds me a bid of Mike Oldfield (Tubular Bells).

[@kayleencovert1791]

I love the stories that clients share about the items you work on. Personal and unique just like the pieces.

[@KimberlyRichardson-j3k]

I’ve been watching you for a long time and thought I would wish you a very Merry Christmas and new years. God Bless you and your family😊 Kim🇨🇦🍁

[@rodikalicharan5544]

Sir you are a master craftsman in furniture restoration, I don’t know how long you been doing this, but you just amaze me every time you do a project.

[@teresatiradoalonso4139]

Es increíble la transformación, lo detallista que eres. Nuevo y para muchos años!!!!❤ Saludos desde ANDALUCÍA, ESPAÑA ❤❤

[@germanskena6537]

Is not ugly, the repairs get excellent and as always go the like.

[@myersmoviemoments]

Stunning work. Love the bare metal finish too.

[@Vickie-Bligh]

Fabulous as usual, Ahti. Thank you for sharing.

[@alanatolstad4824]

After pulling off the fabric, that wood looked like a daunting task of repair but you made it look like it was no big deal!---That chair is smiling now! Did you sit on it, is it comfortable?!

[@tysonperna8844]

That metal base is gorgeous. So glad the owner didn't have you paint it.

[@nannymac47]

Beautiful restoration. One of the things, just one mind you, is that you have such a large variety of projects. I also love your facility with your hand tools. I was thinking on the finished project that the stool would never fit some of today's 'large' bodies. Just a fun bit.

[@ldiane5462]

Beautiful!! Your craftsmanship is truly amazing!!! 😊

[@lindasueanderson8024]

So different from your usual project. I really love the industrial look of this piece and the fascinating history

[@Artemisa_Art_Conservation]

The perfection as always. Thanks for this new video. Greetings.

[@SiddiGorsky-xc7ub]

Now that is beautiful and great provenance! Thanks for sharing

[@andrewclarkehomeimprovement]

Outstanding work. Just shows what's possible.

[@WobblyBiped]

It's always a pleasure to watch your projects unfold. This chair looked to be beyond redemption, but you made it work. Thanks for the visit to your shop, and cheers from Oklahoma!!!