Chair stripping? Strip and Dip?

ViksB

We have a mottly collection of woodern chairs, in a variety of varnishs and or paints.
I would like to strip them back and then varnish them all so that they match.

I have looked on the internet and found a Strip and Dip place which charges £15 a chair.

What I was wondering is, what condition are the chairs in after they come out of the dip? How much more work would be needed?

I stripped one chair by hand and never again. The legs and spindles are a real pain.

Is £15 reasonable for a chair?

Thanks
Vikki

never_enough

I do upholstery & strip chairs by hand. Find it relaxing...
With a dip you may still need to do some work on it esp around any joints or uprights. Best thing is to ask them what they expect, as it will depend what they use & how long they're in for. Don't dip oak, you'll ruin it.

ViksB

This probably sounds stupid, but how can you tell what wood a chair is made from?

Vikki

never_enough

ViksB wrote: »

This probably sounds stupid, but how can you tell what wood a chair is made from?

Vikki

Not as stupid as you think! Some are more obvious than others. Look at the colour & grain. You can find examples online, try google. Or, go to somewhere like ebay and flick through some antique furniture. I always check 2 or 3 differant sources as you can never be sure that the person listing hasn't assumed or made a mistake.

OddjobKIA

Most dip and strips use heated anti glue stuff ( reall name escapes me) this may also lossen the glue around all the joints and cause the chair to wobble or bend. Best to use nitromours and elbow grease. Much better finish