Fossil Men
15-Jun-12
Repaint original panton chair??? (or not?)
Hello, I have received 3 pantone chairs. They have stood outside for a long time end are in bad shape. there have a few scratches and the paint is largely gone. (no rips or tears)

Does anyone know how these seats are best renoveerd??
Or would it be a shame to repaint them so you can not see what's left of the "harman miller collection" stickers anymore and the authenticity?

From this tread I know what chairs it are.
http://www.designaddict.com/design_addict/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread_show_one/thread_id/12601/

they are 1968-1971: Vitra and Herman Miller
Painted polyurethane.


I have put somme pictures in the link underneath.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/80205037@N05/7368989018/in/pho/...
posted by Pierrick
 [edit]
 
15-Jun-12
Paint
them.
posted by fastfwd (USA)
 [edit]
 
15-Jun-12
?
I am still wondering about the orange / red color. Is that paint or dyed plastic? If the latter, I would just refinish them.
posted by woodywood (USA)
 [edit]
 
15-Jun-12
it is certainly painted...
it is certainly painted plastic. if you look at the first picture, you can still see the imprint of the sticker.
the bit of red you can see is what's left of the sticker.

on the second picture you can see what the sticker originally looked like.




http://www.flickr.com/photos/80205037@N05/7182852455/in/pho/...
posted by Pierrick
edited on 15-Jun-12 06:54 PM  [edit]
 
15-Jun-12
It almost looks as if
someone started to work on the set and gave up which is understandable considering the scope of the job necessary to get it right. I'm pretty sure the brown is the natural color of the resin used to mold the chairs.

Best outcome would likely result from having a pro do the prep and spray using a marine-quality two-part paint or automotive polyurethane. Boatyards and auto body specialists will know how to handle these. A seasoned hobbyist could probably do the prep to save money, but good results would take considerable work with or without pro-level tools.
posted by tktoo
edited on 15-Jun-12 07:52 PM  [edit]
 
15-Jun-12
thanks tktoo.the...
thanks tktoo.

the condition of the chairs is just what you get when you let them outside for more than 20 years. these chairs were for a long time abandoned a bit farther in my street. When the house whas for sale, I took my chance and asked if I could get them for free. And I did!

I reckon the owners would never have begun renovating them. I also believe they bought them new. (You know... rich people who have no sense of design an just buy expencive furniture and then let it decay)

This is how I found them.

You can allso see the other pictures on my flckr page

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7075/7367891452_f333b75278_z.g...
posted by Pierrick
edited on 15-Jun-12 08:19 PM  [edit]
 
15-Jun-12
My question
Is what is the red /orange color? If that is the original color of the plastic, then I would just strip / remove the white paint and reseal the plastic.
posted by woodywood (USA)
edited on 15-Jun-12 08:45 PM  [edit]
 
15-Jun-12
the Red / orange plastic is...
the Red / orange plastic is not the real production color of these chairs!!
In 1968-1971, Vitra and Herman Miller manufactured these chairs from polyurethane (so called "Baydur" I think) wich would than be painted. this material apparently has an orange / red color. In these times it whas already dificult to make plastic that whas strong enough and light enough (7.5kg) so I suppose making colored plastic was far too difficult.

Only in 1971-1979 vitra made these chairs out of colored plastic that therefore had the desired color. However, these chairs were reinforced whit ribs at the bottom. on my chairs you can clearly see the stickers that they were produced by herman miller showing that they are at least from 1971.

and if it would be the true color, the sticker of "herman miller collection would not be apparant.

on this photo you can see a chair who has te same sticker on the same place (orange bit just under the seating)
I have added the website where I have found it

http://www.nietnieuwdesign.nl/catalogus/index.php?page=shop1...
posted by Pierrick
edited on 15-Jun-12 10:03 PM  [edit]
 
15-Jun-12
Okay, I understand.
I would still just strip it and seal, if it looks nice. Otherwise, strip and re-paint them.
posted by woodywood (USA)
 [edit]
 
15-Jun-12
hmm, maybe that's not such a...
hmm, maybe that's not such a bad idea. I would like to repaint them, but that will cost a loth. is it worth it?

how much would they be worth in this state and after the repaint. maybe that alone may cost more than they are worth. Frankly I have no idea.

as tktoo supposed, it would be great to let them repaint in two-part paint. but that will cost me a fortune I think??!!
posted by Pierrick
 [edit]
 
16-Jun-12
Paint
them.
posted by fastfwd (USA)
 [edit]
 
16-Jun-12
worth is relative
Pierrick,

You got the chairs at no charge. Enjoy a new experience and spend some money. Being cost conscience is one thing, being cheap is another. As it stands now your chairs are a POS.
posted by niceguy
 [edit]
 
16-Jun-12
The cost is primarily...
The cost is primarily labour.

You can save money by stripping the white off or at the very least making it smooth so as to be undercoated.

Although others may disagree spray painting is relatively easy. Just be sure to do your research before you tackle it. At the very least prepare them for a professional spray painter to keep your costs down. And yes I have painted a few of these.

As for two pac paint, the cheaper and easier alternative is household enamel paint with a seperate tin of hardener, which is really what two pac is anyway. All paint is two pac (definitive), it's just the amount of hardener that is put in.
posted by Ball (AUS)
 [edit]
 

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