Recycling with Rik

Refurbishing tables, chairs gives new life to old gems

Rik Nelson  /  Correspondent

The basic necessities of life are food, shelter and clothing. But probably right after that would come a kitchen table and chairs. Especially affordable ones – in the $10 to $50 price range.

John Stine, operations coordinator for Goodwill Industries in Spokane, says, "We never get enough kitchen and dining room sets. They fly out the door." While some people like to buy new furniture, Stine says, others make their purchases at thrift stores and resale shops because they want to save money, or because they want to reuse still-valuable resources.

Besides Goodwill, two other reliable sources for reasonably priced, yet sturdy, tables and chairs are St. Vincent de Paul stores and Salvation Army bargain centers. As at Goodwill, anything in their showrooms has been pre-screened for safety and serviceability.

But what about tables and chairs found in yard sales, flea markets or newspaper ads? Well, just ask the same questions the pros do: Is the piece structurally sound? If not, can it be easily repaired without spending a lot of money?

For chairs, check that there aren't broken legs or back uprights. If the chair is wobbly, look under the seat at the screws in the angle block. Fixing the problem might be as simple as tightening the screws. Also, check the stretchers that brace leg to leg. If they're loose, it's easy to reglue them. However, if they're broken, repairs will take more time and skill.

As for table inspection, check for broken parts and stability. A shaky table leg might just need a metal bracket to secure it. And look at the material from which the table is made. Scratches and dings in a solid wood piece are usually easily repaired. Laminated tables may peel, but can be reglued. However, if a portion is broken off, patching is dicey.

So you've found a sturdy table or chair. The price is right. But, ugh, the color! First, just try cleaning the piece with soap and water. You'll need to do that anyway for painting or refinishing, but cleaning may brighten the piece to your liking.

The next option is painting. After patching blemishes with wood filler, apply a primer like Zinsser's or KILZ. Neither requires the surface to be sanded. Even Formica can be primed with these products, but the durability of the painted surface won't be the same as the original Formica. Laminates, too, can be primed and painted, but if the laminate is paper-based, it may bubble and pucker.

To refinish your table or chair, a chemical stripper will get you started. Work in a well-ventilated area and be sure to wear safety glasses and solvent-resistant gloves. When the wood is bare, apply your new finish. Polyurethanes are easy to apply, as are penetrating oils, which you simply rub into the wood. Stains and varnishes beautifully enhance wood grains and add color.

With just a little TLC, you'll make that bargain-buy table or chair feel right at home.