Refinish & Repair a Mid Century Walnut Chair

In this video I refinish and repair loose joints and a broken arm on a mid century chair. The chair was made by Marble Furniture Company.

[@patrickmike2524]

I always wondered what NPR radio voices did in their free time 😉

[@sayang38us]

👍😂😂

[@MyCatRupert]

HAHA

[@danidilay5430]

I am now addicted! Thanks. Reminds of my 16 birthday present. My poppa and I refinished a vanity. I am now 43 years old and it is still my favorite piece of furniture. Because of the memories.

[@LewHarriman]

I loved seeing you use the compass point to get the last chips out of the screw hole plug. No need for fancy tools... whatever works!

[@squeegie-beckenheim]

We have a nearly identical, very neglected chair hanging around at my work. I've always liked it, despite its tendency to send up a cloud of slightly terrifying yellow dust when you sit down. Maybe it should mysteriously disappear from the staff room someday, only for a refinished version to miraculously show up in my house a few weeks later...

[@willwyatt7023]

Miracles happen every day, EJ. I don't see why this should be any different.

[@carolyn6001]

Swap it out. Volunteer to replace it with another somewhat better from a thrift store chair... And get yourself a project chair in return.

[@magentaangel5531]

😄😄

[@jillygrrl]

watching these transformations is so gratifying. actually, makes me crave refinishing my pieces. :)

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you for watching!

[@neonskyline1]

That furniture looks really nice when it's "new like", looks horrendous when it's not, the amount of pieces i've seen in charity shop over the years is astounding, great job

[@bluecurlygirl]

I had to come back and rewatch this. I've just taken possession of 4 mid century dining chairs for myself. One previous owner who passed away They're all wobbly as can be and that's fine. I'm looking forward to making them sturdy again, stripping them right back as the finish is failing and then we'll see. And I'm really looking forward to having you along for the journey. Only for people like you I wouldn't even consider tackling a project like this. It would have filled me with dread. Now the thoughts of it fills me with excitement. Cheers me dear.

[@theTORTUGAZUL]

I'm liking wipe-on finishes. They give a more natural look to the piece and you can still feel the nice grain of the wood.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

I like them, too. They're especially helpful when you don't have a place where you can spray lacquer.

[@sayang38us]

I woke up too early. Decided to watch your restoration channel....to get pointers on refinishing my dresser. Gr8 tutorial! Thank you.

[@marymyskiw-jones9824]

Love your videos. Thank you. You are an artiste and a good teacher. Love to see the furniture transformed so well. Enjoy seeing all the walking neighbors, trains, snow of Minneapolis.

[@privatehand]

I found one of these chairs at a thrift about ten years ago. I paid about $5. I just love the way they look.

[@Apollo_Blaze]

What a Beautiful chair...I have a mid century chair similar to this that some demented person put put on the curb!...Lucky for me though, I saw it and grabbed it.... it is in great shape and I cannot wait to redo the upholstery on the seat.... Great video!!

[@jamesbraun1264]

I had a brass light that I got after my mom passed that I stripped the finish off of. I didn't put clear but now I need to redo and refinish. Good project!

[@indie825]

Ooh...that brass slipper cleaned up beautifully. You did an amazing job. Thanks

[@bettenotap4791]

Oh, I absolutely love those chairs, so versatile. Great restoration!

[@annamorgan9069]

Very nice. Thank you for your love of MCM. I love the years I had in Mpls. You personify a lot of what I miss.

[@michaelhenderson5683]

Another great restoration 👏👏👍

[@skategreaser]

If you don't already have some, I would suggest getting (or making) some stainless steel card scrapers, and learn how to hone them. Much safer and easier to handle than utility blades. Plus they come in curved shapes that can follow the contours of the furniture. Good work!

[@kairon156]

It's really cool seeing new life brought into furniture like this.

[@amandakalauta1244]

Such a lovely piece. Love the mustard seat.

[@freomoodfly]

I love this style of chair, elegant.

[@lauriehuber3040]

Beautiful wood! You make it look so easy.

[@jackulenehorn413]

Another beautiful project!

[@sharit7970]

Looks fabulous!!

[@jodidavis6595]

I love that flitz polish. I was given a 1947 fire Extinguisher that was as bad as the feet to the bottom of this chair. Wow! Did it sparkle after some elbow grease. It’s a beautiful piece to my fair place now. Thanks for showing what products you use. Love the chair

[@krustaceanken]

Beautiful chair. I love walnut

[@diannejoyce6068]

You do amazing work, I'm very impressed!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you!

[@44Blueskies]

I really love your videos; bought a library table last night at auction and mostly b/c of your videos (which I'd already watched) I knew I could break out a rubber mallet and some glue and fix it up! It's in pretty good shape (including the finish) except for extremely loose joints. Currently sitting with some pipe clamps. May sell it eventually but bought it for myself :)

[@terrytowells5500]

I'm really enjoying your videos, thanks for taking the time to make them!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thanks for watching!

[@loismaddux4800]

Gorgeous!!

[@caroltanzi29]

Nice job. Looks comfortable .

[@Timhey0912]

Really nice job!

[@Mac11-92]

great job man, looks great!

[@LostMountainRestoration]

Great job and great video. Thanks.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank You.

[@kathycourtney7958]

Just beautiful.

[@ubwoodman915]

Looks great!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@RoryL83]

man you do really great work, thanks for making these videos!! keep up the good work please.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thanks for watching!

[@odileabriel8052]

Très beau travail ! BRAVO 👍😍😘

[@jglow8337]

What talent you have...real art! =]

[@freomoodfly]

Love this chair

[@sdeee3842]

🖤Beautiful as usual 😊

[@rockusbacchus]

I'm really enjoying your channel. I have a booth at an antique store as well, and have been trying to figure out what to do with a couple of MCM end tables I bought at an auction. Both are pretty beat up. I doubt it will be as easy as you make it look, but I am excited about trying my hand at refinishing them. Thanks for the information!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

rockusbacchus Thanks for watching. It does get easier the more you do it but there are always new challenges to keep it interesting.

[@lkj432]

So funny story. My husband and I share this account so we don’t have to watch ads to binge our favourite channels (like yours!) We have been following your channel for a few years and this is one of my favourite videos of yours. So much so, that I, a lightweight, had two glasses of champagne at my work thanksgiving potluck last year, and starting forcing everyone at the table to watch this video 😂 I was mortified the next day, but came into work to find that everyone was talking about it and how a bunch of them looked up your channel afterwards and are equally as hooked as we are! All turned out well and I learned my limit for work parties 😅 anyway, thank you for making such killer content, please don’t ever stop haha

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thanks for sharing my channel! I haven't watched that video since I uploaded it 5 years ago and I'm a little afraid too. Most of my old videos make me cringe. But I'm happy that you enjoy it. Thanks for watching!

[@SisterShirley]

So nice!

[@1959Berre]

A set of four chairs would be a dream.

[@mrsseasea]

Wow...very nice ...

[@seattlesix9953]

Especially liked the reddish tint and the satin urethane. Really looks like a danish piece now.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you.

[@antonioarredondo1379]

Good Job!!!...

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Antonio Arredondo Thank you!

[@wgsmcw2012]

nice job!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thanks for watching!

[@Automedon2]

This is the craziest thing. I used to see those chairs all over in junk shops and yard sales. I used to refinish Victorian furniture but that isn't my taste but it was the thing in the 80s. Recently I've been looking for either a teak or Walnut chair like the one you did to refinish. I had no idea how the price of mid century furniture has gone nuts. Even the TLC needed stuff if ridiculous on Craigslist. Plus, I can't find a refinishing project to save my life. THEN, I open KZbin and your video was in my suggested list. I'm amazed! The Gods are trying to tell me to look harder.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

It's hard to find project pieces at reasonable prices anymore, even in thrift stores. Thanks for watching.

[@cherryz.1419]

beautiful！

[@wgsmcw2012]

Agreeing with other guys comments on your voice :) Bob Ross of happy furniture!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you!

[@Snakeplisskin440]

Was that a Top Gear reference at the beginning? Looks great. The arm breaking just added some extra character to it. I feel like I've seen all your videos then KZbin suggests another.

[@longbeachartist]

Your instructional videos are great. I just finished the last sanding of six John Real for Brown Saltman rare dining chairs. In the past I have used Deft satin lacquer but now can't decide if I should use the Minwax wipe on poly when I get to the top coat. Any suggestions? Haven't used the wipe on before. Thanks for any help.

[@LadyLuvGemStones]

👍🏻👍🏻 A M A Z I N G 💖💖💖💖💖

[@GiovanniLogrono]

I've watched pretty much all your videos and they've been great! I just restored our Drexel mid century dinning table following your methods and had great results! Moving on to the chairs next. They have a rosewood diamond inlay covering the screws that attach the chair backs. Is there any way to remove those inlays without destroying them and having to recreate them?

[@markharris5771]

Do you ever get a piece that’s too beautiful to sell on? I think after your renovations this is a really Bonny chair, and I might have struggled to part with it.

[@veritasreigns]

So inspiring. I wish they sold Citrustrip in South Africa.

[@shageevideo]

Your a frekin magician

[@jimo680]

Wow. Great job, thanks! Seeing how you glued parts and applied stain really helped me out. What kind of wood glue did you use?

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

I used titebond 2. Thanks for watching!

[@funkypunkypine]

Beautiful! Was that a pain to use stripper on the other parts of the chair besides the back part?

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Yes, stripping chairs is tedious work. Thanks for watching.

[@aaronzelisko1867]

Love your work man. amazing restorations!! Just wondering when your going to use any of the remaining 38 colors in the stain pallet .I mean candle light and walnut are great ! But a mustard yellow stain would have looked great too . Hey I love you man and totally respect your work but take a chance .take some risks! life is short!! Have a great day !!

[@josecarcano6445]

Great looking chair. Question do you sale your work? If so what is your mark up percentage?

[@anneza5]

It would be nice if you could give us a ballpark selling price when the item is finished. I appreciate your videos so much. Wish you would upload more often. 🐶

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Anne Apolis I have this priced at $125 but I don't expect a quick sale at that price. Chairs can be a hard sale around here. If I hadn't restored it I would have priced it around $65. Of course, prices may be different in your market. Thanks for watching my videos. I hope to get new ones up more often.

[@heru-deshet359]

You probably live in the Wash, DC area. This chair would easily fetch $200 there.

[@pawewojtas88]

@@heru-deshet359 Ekhm it would cost at least 180-200 in Poland where I live. And the restoration looked really easy.

[@olympictrojan10]

Great work! How many coats of the Walnut stain and poly did you apply to get this color and level of shine?

[@standarddeviation7963]

1:36 I swore it was gonna be a nail like "Will he ever learn? *hands on hips queue laugh track*" 3:34 LITTLE CLAMPS!

[@marniray]

I only just stumbled across your channel and I’m OBSESSED! I have just started doing this kind of work, and I have SO MUCH to learn! I inherited a beautiful 100% Teak MCM bench (the width of my king sized bed] and the previous owner let their dog use it to jump up and down off of their bed, resulting in scratches! Help! I want to restore this beauty - but I’m uncertain about how to handle the abundance of dog scratches! What should my recourse be? Any advice? Signed Huge fan! In New Brunswick, Canada

[@iramsaeed6685]

Since amazon doesn’t deliver citrus strip in my country. Can i skip stripping and directly sand and then apply stain and finish? Will this give same result?

[@davesteelss3454]

How do you clean the vinyl? Got a chair like that .. nothing seems to work?

[@larrybird9340]

I had the same issue trying to take apart 2 gunlocke chairs the joints are tight but there are some small gaps can I just glue and clamp them?

[@ytwos1]

Love your vids, humourfull, relaxing and Nice to watch, but this disassembling wasn’t your finest moment ;-D.

[@miguelpozo5222]

hello a question, did you remove the varnish or lacquer? then you put a colorant to dye the wood and leave it like that naturally without any more product

[@daniellevega680]

I have two vintage Danish chairs on the side yard that I would love to refinish and bring back to life. I know nothing about the task but I'd love some guidance. Would it be alright if I sent you a picture of them? I'd appreciate your tips and thoughts.

[@itzjeze2828]

Hello, when your sanding prior to staining, what grout sand paper do you use? 220

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Usually either 180 or 220.

[@Doublespeaking]

Hello! Long-time viewer here. I recently acquired a beautiful 60s era coffee table that I'm working on restoring. I had a question I was hoping you or another viewer might be kind enough to help me with- my table has metal slippers (presumably brass?). They're similar to these, but they cap the entire leg, as we commonly see in midcentury pieces. The caps on mine, however, are badly corroded and are so dark they blend in with the wood. I'm trying to rescue them with sandpaper and steel wool, but I'm wondering whether there's another option as I fear they may be beyond restoration. Is there a way to remove these without damaging the legs? Or is there another option? Many thanks in advance. Love you videos.

[@zenign]

Will the clamps dent the wood if I don't put some rubber padding in between?

[@lisatse6730]

Could you tell me what's the product you use to remove the old paint/finish on the wood?Thanks.

[@adamseery7738]

Love the project. You should of changed the seat.

[@Mechanical_Alchemist]

So what flavor was the gum?

[@John-jc3ty]

walnut

[@jglow8337]

Cherry

[@CatskillsGrrl]

How did you clean the upholstery?

[@LizT207]

Did you use citrus stripper on the legs of the chair?

[@elzaramuratova6986]

nice job! tell me please, what did you apply after stripping?

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Elzara Muratova After stripping, I cleaned the wood with mineral spirits and #0000 steel wool. After that I applied an oil stain for color. Thanks for watching!

[@Shortedsupport]

Was your top coat water or oil based? Currently re doing Broyhill chairs and need advise on my top coat!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

It was oil based.

[@COH2000]

Isn't some sanding needed after the stain and before the Minwax wipe-on poly to get that poly to adhere? I've got a similar chair and this video is exactly what I needed to motivate me.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

No, I wouldn't sand after staining. You'll remove the stain that you just put on.

[@COH2000]

Thank you.

[@tepblog]

I got a great pair of MCM chairs and someone did a horrible job gluing a broken leg joint. Is there anyway to fix that? Just sand it? I don't want to re-break it.

[@amiddled]

Sweet little chair. Any ideas of the original manufacturer/designer?

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thanks, the chair was made by Marble Furniture Company

[@kenmasters8039]

Where do you buy your products like stain, mineral spirits etc?

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Most of the products I use can be found at Home Depot or hardware stores. An exception would be General Finishes products. I use their gel stain a lot and I buy it at Rockler.

[@traycee2404]

I am going to try my hand at repairing a wood chair that broke. Can you please tell me the name of the wood glue that you used? Thank You

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Hi, I use Titebond II wood glue. It works well.

[@dwittek]

Great job. I am not a fan of the yellow. Someone will like it though

[@susanolson3611]

🙂

[@talktorohit54]

From where can I get the plugs?

[@bubblebeebartend]

123 easy as abc

[@willwyatt7023]

The only thing I think you need to add is a cabinet scraper, (and the skill to keep one sharp.)\

[@reybreneaux5331]

Have you sold this ??

[@johnc1280]

I wonder what color / shade of stain I can use to duplicate that brown

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Walnut

[@johnc1280]

@@DashnerDesignRestoration I figured it was that easy but my head gets moving fast and I think of all the diff blends and shade of brown

[@HipHopRepair]

You should’ve restored the gum too. Maybe using some epoxy 😄

[@jorgejimenez1877]

I've seen you use American Walnut stain a few times now on walnut wood. Just wondering why you do that if the wood is already walnut?

[@cajunfid]

Some people prefer the uniform look stain gives to a particular wood. When you're dealing with a wood like walnut that has a good amount of color variation, especially if there is sapwood, it can cause various parts of the piece to look lighter or darker once the top coat is on it.

[@miguelmelendez3354]

You're such a cutie😍😍🙃

[@andljoy]

I have a glue question. In the UK and in europe what we call wood glue is just PVA glue , its very white and is just PVA nothing special. The stuff you US guys has looks almost yellow . Do you know what the differeance is ?

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

That's a good question. I've also noticed in European videos on youtube that the glue is white as opposed to our yellow glue. As far as I know, the yellow Titebond glue that I use is also PVA glue. I don't know why it's yellow and not white. Maybe someone else will chime in with an answer.

[@moonblink]

So that break in the arm looks pretty bad. Do you think it will hold up to the pressure of normal use?

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

It should hold up fine. A well glued joint is generally considered to be stronger than the original piece of wood before it broke. Thanks for watching.

[@neonskyline1]

Wouldn't matter if it were steel, People would still break it, that's what People do :)