As you can see the upholstery was cut and worn and the frame was in need of some paint.
I purchased this chair for next to nothing, but it needed some work. I purchased it a while ago and I knew I was going to do our personal office in a Steelcase/tanker desk set up. I needed to paint the chair and get the seats recovered. It only took a day to paint the chair in the medium gray color. I then turned my focus to the upholstery. I dropped the backrest and seat off to my good friend Bill at B&T Upholstery. He upholstered both pieces for $75! That is pretty cheap considering what upholstery runs nowadays. I reassembled the chair and reattached the cushions and it looks like new…..heck, probably even better than new. This chair will last another 50 years now.
Here it is all put together. I think it came together nicely.
It looks great with the Steelcase Desk!
Hepcats Haven 
Just…WOW! Great job. So how did you get the silver part (around the wheels) to shine???? Looks gorgeous & so does the upholstry.
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Thanks! I use a product called “Awesome” that you get at the dollar store to clean it and then I use 0000 steel wool with car wax to polish it.
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That chair is absolutely fabulous! I just found your blog through Vickie at Sponge Curlers and Cupcakes, and I am nothing less than FASCINATED with everything you have done!
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Thanks soo much Heidi!
I love restoring and I am always soo happy to hear people approve of what I am doing. I appreciate your support.
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WOW and WOW! I even love the before! I am currently looking for a chair just like this – (which is how I came across your post) Great Job!!!
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do you sell these? looking for one but they’re always seemingly in horrible shape!
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We have a small one for sale without the return. Are you located near Sacramento?
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If your still looking for steel case chairs i have two in very good condition. Also have 5 non- swivel syeel cade chairs in good condition.
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Chair looks great. I have one with a broken tilt mechanism. Did you take any picture of the under side?
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Thanks Tony. Sorry, no I didn’t take pics of the underside. The chair & desk are now sold, otherwise I’d take a pic for you.
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Thanks anyway.
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What paint did you use? I purchase the same chair for 26 bucks. I’m thinking about having mine powder coated.
Derrick Douglas
Founder
http://www.derrickdouglassdesigns.com
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Hi Derrick,
I used a Valspar spray paint.
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SWEET. Thanks for the info.
I plan to work with a local company powder coat it. I could try spray paint it myself, but I want to try a process that’s a bit more durable since I’m rough on all my stuff. I know It’ll be five times more expensive going this route, but I want to give it a try.
Derrick Douglass
Founder
http://www.derrickdouglassdeisgns.com
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Yeah, if you want durability, powder coating is definitely the way to go.
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I’m a little late to the party here, but want to add my agreement on what a great job you did. I’ve had a similar chair in green and in rough shape for a number of years and finally may have time to do some restoration. I’m a novice at this, and my biggest question so far is how to get the padded, upholstered armrests off the frame. There are no screws, bolts, clips, etc. that I can find. Any clues you can give me would greatly appreciated.
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