Classic 1950s chrome kitchen sets give a classic charm to modern homes. Unfortunately, many antique chrome tables and seats show their age in the form of hardened legs, peeling laminate and cracked or dirty seats. With a little bit of elbow grease, you can restore ’50s kitchen sets for their original glory in order to add character and one-of-a-kind style to your space.
Cleaning Chrome
The secret to successful chrome restoration lies in removing rust and dirt without scratching the gleaming metallic surface of the table and chair legs. Chrome tables and seats in fairly good condition could be cleaned using a simple cheesecloth shouted in a light detergent, such as liquid dish soap. Remove stains using a soft cloth dipped in baby oil, then rub clean with a damp rag. Tackle rust on chrome tables or chairs using a bit of crumpled aluminum foil to gently sweep rust off. If you are faced with heavy rust and corrosion, try dipping the foil in warm vinegar or water for greater effect.
Leave Replating to the Pros
Tables and seats over half of a century old can develop intense rust, pitting and discoloration that you might find hard to remove. To restore badly damaged tables and seats, consider having the chrome replated with the electroplating technique. This process involves stripping, polishing and plating the chrome to give it a smooth, shiny finish. Electroplating entails dangerous substances, and is strictly regulated in many locations, so this really is a job best left to the experts. To mimic this impact by yourself, think about spraying the chrome with a chrome paint product. These goods won’t hold up against close scrutiny, but they’ll conceal the worst of the damage and give the chrome legs a clean, shiny finish.
Refinishing Formica
The traditional chrome 1950s kitchen table generally featured a Formica or laminate top. To restore laminate table tops, then use a simple epoxy to secure any loose or peeling laminatefloors Fill small chips using a laminate repair kit, or mask these voids using two crayons that are about the exact same color as the laminate. Fill the hole using the lighter crayon, then put in a layer of the darker crayon to help conceal the damage. The Formica Company lists a number of recommended cleaners, including lemon oil, that can be used to shine and restore laminatefloors If the shirt is badly damaged, consider covering it with a brand new sheet of laminatefloors Clean the surface with a solvent to remove oil and grease, then sand to roughen up the laminatefloors Utilize contact adhesive to put in a layer of laminate to the table top, then roll out air bubbles and then secure the surface using a laminate roller.
Restoring Upholstry
Chrome kitchen chairs with leather seats should be cleaned using a mild dish detergent and warm water, then dried with a soft fabric. Use solvent to place clean fabric, or simply vacuum with an upholstery attachment. Dip a soft bristle brush in dish detergent and warm water, then use it to gently wash vinyl seats. If plastic is cracked or damaged, pick up a plastic upholstery repair kit, that utilizes heat to rejoin the plastic and repair signs of damage. For badly damaged seats, think about having the seats reupholstered in the fabric of your own choice.