My Eames upholstered shell chair restore. I have had these two yellow Eames fiberglass chairs by Herman Miller in my garage for over two years, it was time to do something with them. I did a lot of research about removing the foam and glue that was under the naugahyde. It seamed like there was a lot of mixed results when people attempted this, some said it was easy and others were reduced to using grinders and sanders to remove the old foam and glue from the fiberglass shell. I figured it was my turn to give it a try. click “READ MORE” to find out how I did. I first started by taking the covers off, mine were on there pretty good. I turned them upside down and pried the black binding off the lip of the chair making sure not to gouge the fiberglass. After I got the covers off I removed as much of the foam as I could by hand. If you go slow and and take it off like you would a sticker that you don’t want to leave behind any residue you get more of the foam off. In this picture you can see on the left chair I started to remove some of the glue by hand, that got old really quick.
I knew I had to use something to help this process along or I would certainly go crazy. I went to my local big box store and looked around for something that would remove glue or anything tacky. The only product that looked like it may work was Goof Off, so I bought a bottle. I poured it from the top so that the Goof Off would run down in-between the fiberglass and the foam. On a side note, make sure to have proper ventilation or do this outside, Goof Off has a pretty strong smell, you don’t want to be breathing it. Another tip is to let the shells sit outside and get hot, I was fortune to be doing this on a three digit day. The Goof Off started to work instantly, on 65%-75% of the chair the foam lifted away from the fiberglass like it had never been glued and came right off. There were some more stubborn parts that I had to rub the last of the glue off, I wore some leather gloves that were not a smooth leather. I used one 16 oz can for each chair, it may be cheaper to by one bigger can.
Here they are all cleaned and free of the foam and glue. I would say in total it took me just over two hours to do both chairs. The next item to address were the holes in the fiberglass where the base attached. I have seen people leave the metal grommets and just make a cushion for the chair and I didn’t want to do either. I had the idea to let the epoxy come up through the hole and create a small black dot. Because my shells were dark gray I figure it would look better than a metal grommet. I knew I had to make some sort of dam so that the epoxy would not spill out into the seat. You can see here I did a little pre test to see what epoxy would not stick to. The winner was the smooth side of packing tape, it came right off leaving a smooth surface. To make the dam for the holes I cut out a small circle of packing tape slightly bigger that the hole in the fiberglass. I turned the small circle of packing tape upside down or smooth side down, then secured it with another piece of tape sticky side down.
Now it was time to put the shock mounts on. This chair originally did not come with them so I went to my trusted source for shock mounts, Special K Products. I have used their products in the past and have been very pleased with the quality. You can see a couple of other Eames restore projects HERE and HERE. I started by sanding the area where the mounts will be glued. I put the shock mounts on the chair base and positioned them over the holes and flat spot on the chair. I outlined the shock mounts in pencil so I would know where to mount them. I have seen other mount all four shocks together with the base but I decided I didn’t want to go that route. I wanted a better feeling of pressure and how much epoxy I was forcing up through the hole. Shock mounts mounted with epoxy. Here is what the seat side looked like when I took the packing tape dams off. I can handle looking at 4 small black spots. I did sand them a little after they dried to get them completely flush with the fiberglass before I applied the Penetrol.
The shock mounts from Special K come with some black pigment powder used to color your epoxy, I would love to see some one try and color match a color other than gray or black, I am betting you could get close. I won’t go into the Penetrol, you can review it HERE. I had these bases powder coated some time ago as I was planning on making a bench out of them but plans changed on that one. As you can see the chairs came out really glossy, maybe to glossy, it was only one coat of Penetrol. I don’t know if I will hit them with some steel wool or not, I think I will live with them glossy for while.By Adrian Higgins, 3rd August, 2012 Based on the pioneering work by American designers Charles and Ray Eames, these iconic designs are characterised by their timeless style and highly practical construction. Give your kitchen or restaurant a vibrant lift with our fabulous range of Eames dining chairs. Offering stability and sophistication is one tidy package, these ubiquitous beauties are widespread across popular culture and can be found everywhere from New York’s Museum of Modern Art to kitchens around the world.
It comes as no surprise that Charles and Ray were a married couple, the warmth of their partnership gently permeating their work. A timeless emblem of comfort and community, the Eames welcoming seat and supportive frame elegantly evokes the glow of companionship. Driven by their passion for well-made furniture, their prototypes did not merely pre-empt a trend but set a benchmark for creatives everywhere. Reinventing the traditional dining chair, their vision for state-of-the-art stylish seating is evident in the ground-breaking contribution they made to the furniture world. Though they launched their range of revolutionary furniture back in the 1940s, there has been a recent revival of their classic style that has transported them back to the forefront of interior design. Skyrocketing in popularity, their iconic designs are now steadfast staple with retailers worldwide, and it’s no surprise that they can be found in homes and commercial settings alike across the globe. When purchasing from our range, you will be presented with the choice between DSW and DSR frames.
Crafted from beautiful beechwood, the former is easily memorable due to the W for wood in its name. A highly durable grain, it provides a strong and stable base that characterises the brand. In contrast, DSR chairs like the Eames DSR are composed of chrome metalwork for an ultra modern and elegant sheen. Sporting protective plugs to help minimise damage to floors they deliver increased adaptability through a ball-and-socket design. Adjusting themselves to any surface they’re placed on, they’re perfect if you’re contending with uneven or slightly asymmetrical floors. They exhibit the signature web of interconnecting metal that makes the chairs so recognisable. A decorative and eye-catching addition, the webbing brings the framework together, enhancing the stability of the structure. The classic contoured shape of the seat is made possible by the use of highly versatile ABS plastic and satin resin. Available in a vast array of bold and beautiful colours, you can select the right colour for you depending on your décor.
For a sleek contemporary look and trademark silky sheen, choose a subtle white that will effortlessly compliment your surroundings. On the other hand if you want your kitchen & dining chairs to be a focal point in the room, why not opt for vibrant apple green. ABS and satin finishes are also exceedingly practical, a core attribute of Eames furniture. Stain resistant and characteristically low maintenance, they can easily be wiped clean should any spillages occur - ideal for busy kitchen environments. With advances in technology, manufacturers have been keen to expand on the original template, experimenting with its attributes by tailoring the seat in accordance with modern trends. We pride ourselves in our broad replica range, offering kitchen and dining furniture with trademark Eames features fused with the latest advancements and design techniques. A prime example is clear acrylic, as seen in the Eames Wooden Chair Clear. The transparent nature of the material means it’s visually spacious, creating a highly minimal look that’s ideal if you’re looking to keep your kitchen area as simple and clutter-free as possible.
Our collection of Vivid Eames is a has also proved popular, revitalizing the classic with a futuristic pyramid patterning and contrasting coloured backrest, as seen in the in the picture to the left. For added support, check out the Armchairs, which encompass your body for additional comfort. Our Cushioned Eames is a further collection that displays the evolutionary process the archetypal model has gone through in response to customer need. With high-density foam padding, models such as Cushioned Eames White invite you to sit back, relax and dine in optimum comfort. For a funky alternative we also offer a range of immensely popular Patchwork version. Looking for something with a little more character? By upholstering the classic curved seat with a vibrant fabric, there is no doubt products like the Spectrum will make a lasting impression wherever you use them. Take a look at three stylish Eames style designs below: Innovative, intelligent and impossibly alluring, Eames kitchen and dining chairs will continue to retain their appeal, inspiring future generations as adeptly as they prosper in homes across the nation.