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Jim Y'all Cole writes:

Here are some pics of the chairs that I wanted
Martin's opinion on before committing to doing them.

There are 2 side chairs and 1 arm chair.
They appear to be from around 1870.

They were completely gilded with an oil size over white gesso.
Both of the side chairs need to be rebuilt and the one in the
photo has a cracked crest rail.

In addition there are multiple holes in the gilt
and one leg on the pictured side chair is peeling.
The arm chair is worn to the wood on both arms
for a distance of about 12 inches.
The glaze is failing and is in generally poor condition
with considerable dirt stuck to it.

The pictures make these chairs look better than they do in person.

Martin suggested the following treatment:

Rebuild the side chairs.
Epoxy fill the cracked crest rail.
Clean with mineral spirits.
Clean with mild soap and water.
Clean with denature alcohol to remove the green glaze.
Feather and gesso the holes.
Guild with an oil size.
Reglaze for depth.
Topcoat with a removable clear coat.

This sounds like a reasonable treatment for these chairs
and is about the same treatment that I had decided on
except for the mineral spirits and water wash.

My estimate of the time for this is 20 hours for each
of the side chairs and 30 hours for the arm chair.

Martin estimates 40 hours for each of the side chairs and
no estimate for the arm chair since he did not get to see it.

I plan to quote this job as time and material, but I would
like to give the customer an idea of the cost he will incur.

What do y'all think.

Jim Y'all
Mebane NC



(Down-draft sanding table in the background.)






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