Quality Mid Century Teak Furniture Restoration | Wood, Wood Putty, and Finish Repair How To

Learn how to restore mid-century modern teak furniture as Scott demonstrates repairing a pair of classic mid century chairs. It requires using the right glue, the right wood filler, and the right finish to make this furniture beautiful again.

These chairs came to our workshop with loose legs. There were problems with the wood finish as well due so someone spreading wood putty across several areas to disguise previous damage. The wood putty didn't match the chair finish so it was obvious and took away from the beauty of the chair.

Mid century modern furniture was designed to celebrate the natural wood and these chairs are a great example of that. The teak shows many colors in the wood as it isn't stained. The finish on mid century chairs that were made in the United States is most frequently a lacquer, but it's important to test it to make sure you're applying the right finish when restoring the furniture to preserve its value (please don't use polyurethane).

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How to use Epoxy Putty - coming soon

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VIDEO TOPICS:
00:00 Quality Mid Century Teak Furniture Restoration
00:59 Loose Leg on Chair
02:43 How to Disassemble Damaged Chairs
10:11 Clean Off Old Glue and Wood Putty
12:08 Test Fit the Clean Leg Joint
15:04 Broken Joint on 2nd Chair
16:14 Detailed Glue Up Demonstration
22:00 Patch in a New Piece of Teak
31:58 Repairing Finish Issues from Wood Putty
33:17 Matching Wood Filler on Teak
39:15 Apply Wipe-on Varnish Finish

#MCM #midcentury #restoration

[jill]

Unbelievable that someone could put that seat on backwards and make those terrible repairs to such beautiful chairs. I really love your chair videos. It’s like a furniture anatomy class.

[seanbrotherton]

Scott you're a walking repair encyclopedia galactic edition! I learn as much about what to do as what NOT to do watching your presentations. You should write a book! Wish I lived closer! I would work for you free for a year just to get the hands on experience. You will go down as a guru in the wood working repair history books! I refer everyone I know to your instruction when they insist on a DIY repair.

[bettabgood]

It's hard to find professionals who are able to teach from extensive knowledge and experience on YouTube.
I am so glad I ended up here.

[DavidWhite]

Scott in my years in working with teak, it is a very oily wood like you mentioned. Before I glue teak together the last step before gluing I wipe the joint with acetone to remove the oils then immediately glue the joint. If you wait for just a couple of hours before gluing you will have to repeat. You might be able to use Lacquer thinner also

[shelshele]

I love love love the style of those chairs!

[krenwregget]

great stuff. I've been a carpenter and cabinet maker for 20+ years and I still learn new things from your videos.
Teak is a beautiful wood and I'm glad to watch those chairs get a second life.

[sandrachaplin]

Just restored 4 of the very same chairs, also with the seats attached the wrong way round! The bottom stretchers needed clamping because there were gaps; the top was rock solid and did not need taking apart. Apart from that they needed a good clean and oiling and are now beautiful chairs again. Many thanks for your brilliant video.

[trygun]

The chairs you have there are beautiful and typical good teak from mid last century. I’m homebased in Thailand where we have several old teak houses in Chiang Mai, a heartland of the old teak industry. Much of the inventory is also old teak. Old teak behaves differently than new teak. It has to do with how the tree has grown and been harvested. Old teak is more resistant to termites, which is crucial, to avoid the house and furniture being eaten up from the inside. We have had some bad experiences and now we’re only using old teak from old teak houses taken down, available in secondhand woodshops to maintain and develop. It’s not cheap, but worth it in the long run. It’s a challenging wood to work with. Brittle but strong at the same time. I still haven’t found the best tools to work with. In modern teak furniture there’s often sapwood, bearing the sign of modern forestry, where there’s no time for the right, but slow processes to take place. Natural old teak is beautiful in its natural colour. When exposed to weather and sunshine oiling it will be nedeed. It would be very interesting if you could do more examples of this kind of teak furniture repairs. Thank you for your very good and instructive videos.

[awideman]

Even if you don't like woodworking. This is a relaxing channel to watch. I'd recommend it even based off that

[a.h.]

This is a master at work. I love your videos, I’ve learned a lot. Thank you for sharing knowledge.

[ScipioAndycanus]

I learn something new from you every time I watch.

[Petesdaughter]

This video proves that wood furniture repair is an art. Scott, you are a wonderful teacher and artist...a VERY PATIENT artist! I learn something new with each video. Thanks for sharing!

[texanasimmons]

These are a very pretty pair of chairs! I like the ladder back inspired look but the difference is interesting! Thanks for sharing this restoration!

[awr]

Great job, the chairs look amazing. It's thrilling to watch the teak come to life with just a wipe of varnish.

[analogal]

I admire you for being so so patient. I can see that you actualy love wood.

[edwardcooper]

I love the way you explain the why rather than just the how. Thanks.

[colinsmith]

Excellent job and instructive teaching video. Thank you for uploading. Watching from across the pond.

[roberthellebush]

As always, Scott, a masterful repair and a great video.... I just keep on learning!!!

[gingerburden]

Your videos have been extremely informative. I have used many of your techniques in repairing chairs. Thanks!

[shirleypedersen]

They are FABULOUS LOOKING. You’re a PRO RESTORER for sure. Your clients will be thrilled. What fantastic repairs. The before and after pix are STUNNING. Well done Sir, well done.