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Well if the chari is cracked or structurally unstable then you are going to have to work on the fiberglass itself. If you have done this type of work before it's not hard at all, though if you haven't it's definetly not easy.

Essentially repairing the chair is the same as working on a boat... so yes a boat supply shop like Lawrence Marina on Lincoln would be a good place to start.

If it's just the paint job that needs work take it to an auto body shop (maaco and Earl Sheib won't help) so they can strip the current paint and repaint it and clear coat it.

Now, if you're crafty and don't care about the "value" of the chair (which will be affected even if it's refinished well) then you could take an oscilating sander to the chair and remove the clear coat and paint layer. you could then prime it with a fiberglass primer, resand the chair, prime it again, redand it again with a finer grit and then lay down your first coat of paint. You'll want to buy or rent a spray gun to do this as spraypaint will not suffice in providing a quality distrobution of paint. 3M and DuPont make many many colors thaty you can order online from auto body/boat supply shops. Lay down 1 coat and then sand it with a fine grit and then apply a second coat. You can then clear coat it with the finish of your choice. If done slowly and with care the chair will look exquisite!

Or you could go the half assed way and bondo any of the chips and sand the areas smooth and then spraypaint the chair in the color of your choice and then apply a clear spraypaint lacquer.

If you do refinish the chair yourself consider doing something unique with the paint. These chell chairs are allover and as a mass produced piece of functional furniture relatively bland (I like the lines but the colors are bleah). Consider a pattern, fade, stencil etc... Refinishing it yourself will also allow you to match the chair to your decor...

Hmm, looks like my boy kitty.

Thanks for the advice, Julian. There is one small chip in the fiberglass on the arm, and the paint is chipped away along the base, probably from being bumped with cleaning implements. I don't care about the value, so I like your idea about doing something unusual with it. Honestly, I'm horrible at things requiring patience and care, so I'll check with the auto body shop near here about doing the paint for me.

Jean - he's a nosy cat. I couldn't manage to get a pic without him in it.

Of course he's a nosy cat. There's a new object in his territory and he wants to check it out, make sure there's no mice in it, and finally make sure that it smells like him (probably by sleeping on it). I have one who will never rest until everything in her territory is duly scented by her.

As for fixing up the chair, I have no opinions. But your cat is cute.

Nosy is the word! It could BE my cat -- who knows what he's up to when I'm not around.

For the love of God please do NOT repaint or STENCIL this chair. Blasphemy! If you are going to do anything to this chair, order a replacement cushion from Knoll. If you are not concerned about the authenticity, have an upholsterer make one for you.

Hi, Erika - there's no brand indicating it that it's authentic. How would I know? I'm finding that, after living with it for a few days, I'm less concerned about the chip or the scratches on the base... I might leave it alone, but not out of concern for the value.

I didn't pay all that much for it, either.

FWIW, that chair is not a Saarinen, but probably a Burke. Notice the difference in the edge detail. Authentic Knoll chairs do not have squared off edges.

http://www.knoll.com/products/product.jsp?prod_id=39

Still beautiful and a great find!