Comments on: Restoring Vintage Fiberglass Eames Chairs

By: Lisa Kight

Lisa Kight — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 22:35:45 +0000

I found Penetrol but there seems to be different product in the line

I have a similar chair in white

Someone had painted with latex and I fear spray paint

The latex came right off

Unfortunately I disturbed the fiberglass

Yes, fiberglass all over

Any product suggestions that might help me with removing the fiberglass shards from my arms

Mostly I’d like to return the chair to the original luster as you

Beautiful work, btw…

With kindest regards

By: Mike D.

Mike D. — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 16:13:31 +0000

In reply to Bryan V. Nope. Didn't have to use anything after the Penetrol.

By: Bryan V

Bryan V — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:05:36 +0000

Great guide! Did you use anything to seal the fiberglass like a clear coat? Or did you notice fiberglass particles on your clothes when you sat on the chairs? Just picked up a couple chairs from the curb but worried that sanding would remove the gel coat and let fiberglass particles go everywhere.

By: JC

JC — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 19:09:21 +0000

Thanks for sharing your experience! Great results.

@Kim Janas: This is a good resource for Eames chair replacement parts: http://www.modernconscience.com

By: Jam Bones

Jam Bones — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 13:57:13 +0000

Definitely still wear a mask outside. Unless you are wet sanding that dust is allllllll up in the air around you. Nice results!

By: Kim Janas

Kim Janas — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 16:11:46 +0000

Thank you for a great post! How did you reattach the legs? I have a circa 2016 Eames fiber glass chair and two of the “pucks” which support the legs have detached. I’ve been told from official sources that the chair is unrepairable. That seems to be a really unfortunate position to take. The chair is in otherwise perfect shape and it also has the dowel legs like yours, so I’m hoping to not give up!

By: Mike D.

Mike D. — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 05:57:39 +0000

In reply to Maxwill Hauser. Nope! Completely cat-proof!

By: Maxwill Hauser

Maxwill Hauser — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 21:56:44 +0000

Thanks for the great post! My girlfriend and I are moving in together. She has a cat and I have 2 vintage Eames Fiberglas chairs. A combination that makes me quite nervous. Have you found that your cat has scratched your chairs?

By: Ian

Ian — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 16:20:24 +0000

@ilona I’m in Canada as well, and trying to solve the same problem. Did you find a similar product?

By: Ilona

Ilona — Sun, 19 May 2024 15:39:40 +0000

Hi! I have very similar chairs and am having trouble finding Penetrol in Canada. Is there any other product that’s similar? Thinking boating supply stores must have something? Thanks!

By: Helder Crespo

Helder Crespo — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 18:00:39 +0000

Thanks Robert!

By: Xander B

Xander B — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 22:36:53 +0000

I just bought some used chairs like this but the legs are in pretty bad shape. You mentioned that you assembled some new dowel legs in the post. Where did you buy new legs?

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 08:18:55 +0000

@Helder: I applied Polytrol more than two years ago, after sanding, just like Mike did. They still look the same (they’re used daily as dining chairs), so the coating holds up pretty well.
@Michelle: No, no paint is needed. Just apply the Penetrol undiluted in a thin layer. Basically making it wet, no more than that. Let dry, and apply a second layer if needed. Then let dry / harden before using the chair. It feels a bit sticky the first few days, so best to be patient and wait a week before use.

By: Lauri M Garrison

Lauri M Garrison — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 19:40:11 +0000

The only thing I wish you would have done, that you didn’t, is show the front of the product can. LOVE the results, and you have inspired me to refresh my teal, Herman Miller bar stools. Excited and looking forward to the finished project.

By: Julie M.

Julie M. — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 15:45:51 +0000

Hello Mike,
I have a c.1960 white shell arem chair with aluminum legs. The exterior side of the back has developed some yellowish splotching. Do you think your sanding process will remove it? Also any recommendations for cleaning the legs? Thanks for any info you can provide!