How-to: New life for Ikea’s Urban Chairs

Jules Yap·
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Materials: Sunbleached Ikea Urban Chair, Penetrol

Description: Need to bring your Ikea Urban chairs back to life? Try a Scotchbrite and Penetrol (then protect with 303 Aerospace Protectant).

On a lark, I remembered what magic Penetrol did for Eames fiberglass chairs, so I gave it a try on these Urbans. First, clean well and “exfoliate” the seriously ashy bits with a Scotchbrite. Protecting the area well (dropcloth, etc.), saturate a rag with the Penetrol and wipe liberally on the chair. Rewipe if necessary and let dry for a few minutes. Wipe (or even out any excess). Let it dry a day and protect with 303.

chair 3 703415
chair 2 704032

You’re ready for another season or two…

See more of the new lease of life for urban chairs.

~ Hunter, SFBay

Jules Yap
Latest posts by Jules Yap (see all)

5 Responses

  2. I was glad to find this advice (and Hunter’s web site, as well) as our old, white Urban chairs were in need of some work and I wanted to clean them up before storing them for the winter. Ours were not as noticeably “chalky” – it probably just wasn’t as obvious on the white chairs – but they were stained, by mildew, from being outdoors (~ 4 months per year for over ten years). I found applying toilet bowl cleaner (with chlorine) worked very well, having a good consistency for spreading from horizontal to vertical surfaces with a brush, as it took away the stains in just a few minutes. After rinsing and drying, I used a coarse ScotchBrite pad on all surfaces – that does seem to take down most of the fiberglass slivers (wearing gloves and a mask, performing outdoors is recommended). I did not have Penetrol and thought I would try this without that. I did use protectant (Armor All because I had some and had never heard of the 3030 product). I have purchased some 3030 Aerospace protectant to spray on them next spring. At this point they look good – clean, with a close to original appearance – and no apparent slivers.

    Thanks, Hunter. That was very helpful!

    Reply

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