Refinishing Bar Stools For a Kitchen Makeover
By Simon Phillips
Photo: Afonso Lima
If your kitchen could do with a complete overhaul, but your decorating budget won't stretch that far, then a simple way to give your kitchen a makeover is to replace or refinish your furniture. A good place to start is with your bar stools, and this needn't cost as much as you think. You may be able to refinish the ones you've got, but if you want a complete change, it's worth visiting your local thrift shops and yard sales. These are great places for picking up bargain secondhand bar stools for just a few dollars. You'll probably have to spend a little time cleaning them up and refinishing them, but the end result should give your kitchen a totally new look on a shoestring budget.
How to refinish your bar stools depends on whether they are made from metal or wood, as outlined below. If your stools have fabric seats, it's important to remove them if possible, or at least cover them up to protect them from being damaged.
Metal Bar Stools
If you have chrome stools, you can remove any areas of rust using a chemical rust dissolver. The active ingredient in this product is phosphoric acid, so take care when using it. Use a brush to apply it to any rusty patches and leave it for 5-20 minutes, according to the directions on the label. You can then sand the entire metal surface of each bar stool to get a smooth finish. An Emery cloth is good for this job rather than sandpaper.
After the sanding is complete, make sure your stools are clean and dry before applying the primer. The primer needs to be rust-inhibiting - check the label - and will come in an aerosol can. To get a good finish it's essential not to rush this stage. If you spray too much the primer will run and make a mess. It's best to spray one side - or top or bottom - at a time and leave that layer to dry before spraying the next area.
When all your stools have been primed, check them for runs and if necessary sand them using 240 wet/dry paper and water. You can then use a chrome metallic paint spray for the final finish. Again this requires patience and you will need to apply several layers to achieve your desired finish.
Wooden Bar Stools
In order to refinish wooden bar stools, you'll need to spend some time preparing the surface. You'll need to remove the old layer of paint or varnish using a paint scraper, or a chemical stripper if it doesn't come off easily with a scraper. When you've removed all the original finish, you'll need to sand the bare wood to get rid of any imperfections or scratches. You can do this by hand or with a sander if you want to save time. Don't rush the sanding as this is an essential stage.
Once the sanding is complete and you've removed all the dust and debris, you can either stain or paint your stools. If you decide to paint them, you'll need to use a primer and an undercoat before applying the top coat in whatever color you choose. If you prefer to highlight the natural grain in the wood, a stain is a good choice, and you can choose from various shades to match to your decor. Alternatively, to keep the natural wood tone, you could simply apply a clear finish.
If you apply a stain you'll need to use some kind of finish on top of it to offer protection from wear and tear, especially as your stools will be used in a kitchen where they can easily have food or drink spilled on them. There are various types of finishes, such as polyurethane, varnish or beeswax, and you can choose whether you'd like a matte, satin or gloss sheen.
Refinishing old bar stools is a satisfying and frugal way to add your personal touch to your decor and transform the look and feel of your kitchen for minimal expense.
This article has been contributed by Simon Phillips of GetBarStools.com, the specialists in all types of bar stools, including discount metal bar stools and swivel bar stools.
