[abecruse]

I don't know if you can see the photos but the rocking chair has bee in the back yard for years and the wood is cracking from the sun. Can I restore this rocking chair or do I need to throw it away?

 

[Steve Neul]

Hard to say without being there but the condition of the wood would determine whether it could be restored. It looks pretty rough and may be more work than it's worth. If it is solid but just cracked you can work glue into the cracks and clamp. It's just a matter of rubbing wood glue into the crack with your thumb. Even if the crack goes all the way through you can force glue all the way through. What's left of the cane can be removed by soaking it with vinegar and scraping it out with a narrow chisel. Fortunately it is a type of caning that comes prewoven and you can just cut it out and insert it in with a spline.

 

[bigcouger]

It can be fixed back up see if you can reglue the splits or replace, then have to sand an weaving might work, but is it worth it, that only you can make a decision on

 

[cabinetman]

Well, you certainly can't sit in it like it is. Can't see where the faults are. If they are in the frame for the seat or back, they have to be glued and clamped sufficiently to withstand the tension of installing the cane, and sitting on it...and rocking.

.

 

[Manuka Jock]

How have you got on with this chair ?

The first thing that I would do is take the chair to pieces , by undoing all the bolts , and then see it the the different parts keep their shape .
If they do , I would lightly sand , and to nurture the wood , oil ( with a plain wood oil , not a mixed one) the rockers , sides/arms etc , but not the seat or the back , at this stage .
Then I would do as those above have suggested with the seat and back , cleaning it down , replacing the cane , plain oiling and allow it to soak in deeply , and to dry on the surface.
When it is , I would then apply a coat or two of an oil mixture , allow to fully dry , and reassemble with new bolts nuts etc.