SF Good Questions: How Do I Fix Scratches on Eames Bent Plywood Chairs?

see photos of scratches below the jump

AT:SF, I just got a great deal on 2 Eames bent plywood chairs - the reason...some nasty scratches. I think most of them are from those metal fasteners on the back pockets of jeans. But there is one deeper one on the back. So my question is, any idea on how to fix these? Is this something that I will need to get professionally fixed? Thanks!

-Laura

Anyone?

Email us with QUESTIONS in subject line: sf (at) apartmenttherapy (dot) com
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Comments (11)

Nice place

posted by weezerad79 on June 9th 2008 at 10:02am
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There are lots of DIY wood scratch repair products out there...

posted by bepsf on June 9th 2008 at 10:02am
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I recently purchased some Restor-A-Finish to use on a few MCM pieces. It's received rave reviews on AT. I'd imagine that it would take care of the lighter scratches:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/how-to/east-5-cq-in-dcs-nearly-new-nightstands-041139

Nice chairs!

posted by wig3000 on June 9th 2008 at 10:16am
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Olde English wood oil covers stains amazingly well. Be sure to get the one for light wood, not dark wood, though.

posted by Lisa Hunter (Montreal) on June 9th 2008 at 10:32am
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Not to go off topic but where did the prints hanging over the mantle come from?

posted by isiemer on June 9th 2008 at 11:01am
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Thanks! I got the prints from http://www.coudal.com/swapmeat/swapped.php

They offer left overs from artist that just a few prints left. Good deals and fun stuff there!

posted by lduris on June 9th 2008 at 11:51am
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I am the proud owner of two such chairs that my parents bought in the early 1950's in NYC for less than $35 each. The Herman Miller factory is still up and running in Zeeland, Michigan and I sent the upper back of one of the chairs to them to have the shocks replaced correctly. It was expensive but at least I can say it was done properly. They have a website and were very easy to contact and deal with. You might ask them how to approach this problem.

posted by jtsegal on June 9th 2008 at 12:05pm
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Personally, I would do nothing. You just got a jump start on all the character that years of use will bring to these chairs. I guess if you are super bothered by it you can try to fix it, but I'd just let it go, breath deep and enjoy them in the space. If they always look brand new they will always look like they are right off the DWR showroom floor. With a little wear and tear they will play to the philosophy of the Eames' that your home should look lived in, and enjoyed.

posted by matt mcfaden on June 9th 2008 at 4:31pm
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restore-a-finish at home depot works wonders on the light sracthes. it's ok if they're scratched. the chairs have a life and it fills them with personality. great chairs!

posted by gorillaglam on June 9th 2008 at 7:32pm
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walnuts.

get some shelled walnut halves. break them to expose the tender meaty oily nutty fleah. rub this along the scratches in the wood and marvel at the improvements.

this is how you deal with scratches in fine wooden musical instruments such as a cello. the scratch will not be gone but it will look a lot nicer and the finish will not be damaged.

posted by splendid on June 9th 2008 at 10:55pm
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I echo weezerad79 ~ nice place! And if it hasn't been featured on AT before as a tour ~ pretty please?

posted by JoJenks on June 10th 2008 at 3:45am
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