DIY step-by-step instructions for repairing a stool

Even the sturdiest stools sometimes need to be refurbished. It's good that this is not difficult at all: you need a minimum of tools that can be found in the arsenal of any home craftsman.

Having spent a little time and effort, it will be possible to restore your favorite furniture and return it to its original appearance. Here's how to fix an old stool at home.

Necessary materials and tools for stool repair

For different stages of work, you may need:

• grinder or special drill bits for grinding and polishing;
• sandpaper;
• electric saw or file;
• iron;
• boot knife;
• vice;
• brushes, varnish, paint;
• self-adhesive furniture edge;
• epoxy resin;
• screwdriver;
• pliers;
• nuts;
• open-end wrench;
• bolts;

How to repair a stool seat

If the seat has lost its presentable appearance, it can be restored, and in extreme cases, replaced.

How you can return the "marketable" look of the seat of an old stool:

• sand the top layer and cover it with fresh paint or varnish;
• make upholstery;
• cover with vinyl.

The first step will be to remove the old finish. You can use solvents or a grinder (a drill with a grinding wheel will do). When the top layer is removed, the surface must be cleaned with a polishing wheel or fine-grained emery paper.

Now it remains to choose the finishing method. The simplest thing is to cover it with a film. Her service life is 3-4 years. You need to glue evenly, avoiding the appearance of air bubbles. One edge of the film is pressed against the surface, the other is stretched, spreading with a rubber spatula.

If you plan to paint or varnish the seat of a wooden stool, the surface can be treated with a putty. After it dries, prime it (or treat it with a varnish stain) and decorate in the way you like.

To replace the soft seat, you will need to remove the upholstery and filler (replace it if necessary), clean the surface. Then a new filler is planted on the glue, and the sheathing is fixed with a furniture stapler.

Advice. To replace the seat, you need to saw out the new part with a saw or fine-toothed attachment.

Pasting with furniture edging on the ends of the seat

This procedure requires a self-adhesive furniture edge. Its reverse side is covered with hot melt glue, which, after drying, adheres perfectly and is not afraid of water ingress. You will need a minimum of tools: an iron and scissors.

How to repair a stool with your own hands:

• cut off the edge - the size of the tape should slightly exceed the length of the perimeter of the stool;
• fix the seat;
• heat the iron;
• attach the tape to the end part so that the edge of the furniture is in the center (the edges of the tape protrude beyond the edge by the same distance);
• apply a hot iron to the edge, move it slowly with slight pressure;
• check the tightness of the edge clamp;
• iron the lagging areas again, correct the location of the edge;
• cut the tape at the joint and iron it.

If the edge slides off during work, this is not a problem. When the iron is reheated, the glue will melt, and all the nuances can be corrected.

Getting rid of excess furniture edges

To remove the protruding edges, you need to use a boot knife. The tool is led from the corners to the center, the return movements are performed without a cut.

Now you need to round off the sharp corner of the edge with fine-grained sandpaper.

Repair instructions for fixing the legs

The most important problem is the loss of stability. This can happen due to loose or cracked legs. Both faults are easy to fix at home.

How to secure the legs with a nut or bolt

The first reason for loose legs is a damaged thread on a stud or mounting plate. It is easy to identify by sight. If the thread of the bar is damaged, you need to unscrew the stud by 1 cm, insert it into the bar and secure with a new nut.

Advice. Pliers are used for work. In order not to damage the thread, a piece of leather is placed between the stud and the tool. If it is impossible to unscrew it with pliers, then you need to retreat a few mm from the end of the stud, apply the edges under the open-end wrench, then unscrew the stud.

Another way:

• unscrew the hairpin;
• insert the spoiled end into the leg;
• twist.

You can replace the old stud with an 80 mm bolt. To do this, you need an open-end wrench.
If you plan to replace the seat, then it is worth replacing the mounts with new 12 mm self-tapping screws. Before installation, it is advisable to drill holes in the attachment points. Their length must match the length of the self-tapping screw. Use a drill with a diameter that is half the diameter of the fasteners.

Features of repairing a cracked leg

The best material for repairing cracks is epoxy. It remains viscous for a long time, so there is no need to rush.

The resin is poured into a threaded hole or crack. Since the material is stringy, you may need to spread it out with a screwdriver or wooden stick.

If a threaded hole is being repaired, then the stud is also coated with resin. The product dries up within 24 hours.

Helpful hints and tips

The finished stool can be painted with waterproof paint. Acrylic compounds are suitable. It is best to paint with a roller. The legs are covered without twisting.

An interesting solution will be the decoration of the seat using decoupage technique. You will need water, PVA glue, napkins or newspaper clippings. The glue is diluted in a 1: 1 ratio with water, the cut images are immersed in this composition.

Using a brush, it is applied to the cleaned surface and smoothed to expel air. After drying, the stool seat should be covered with 3-4 coats of varnish.

Video: stool restoration