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How to fix damaged timber legs of Santa's throne?

ilox
Building a Reputation

How to fix damaged timber legs of Santa's throne?

In 2011, I built this lovely Santa throne from plans bought from the USA. The majority of the timber came from Bunnings Parafield. Since then it has stood me in good stead over successive Christmas events (this is my 21st year as a Santa and yes, I have been Santa for many of Bunnings SA Stores). 


The throne ready for use.The throne ready for use.

 

Last year I found that white ants had worked their way up a crack in my shed floor and attacked the nearest leg they could find. I killed them off with poison spray but now I need to do a makeover to clean up the mess and get it ready for use over the next few weeks.

 

the front right legthe front right leg  the front right legthe front right leg the front right legthe front right leg the front right legthe front right leg

 

The first step - I think - is to take a 45-degree cut to remove as much as I can of the damage at the same time retaining maximum strength because I have some pretty hefty folks sitting on it at times.  
It has been suggested that I then putty it to fill any remaining holes and possibly put a curve on the edge to make it look better.
Then it is time for the Paint shop to get Brunswick Green enamel to put 2 coats on the whole surface area. I will have to cut back the surface with my sander, advice on grit please.

 

Your suggestions are welcomed.

MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Fixing up Santa's Throne - part 1 - the legs

I can't wait to see your finished results @ilox!

 

Mitchell

  

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ilox
Building a Reputation

Re: Fixing up Santa's Throne - part 1 - the legs

At last an update. I had a week of panic completing an assignment for Uni - yeah, at 70+ I am a Uni student

 How mad is that. 

Anyway. I have been

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working on the chair when I could. Sanded, fixed, puttied, sanded. Sigh.

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So today I broke out the Undercoat, 1-2-3 something from the paint shop. That is dry so 1st ting in the AM I have to go back to Clark Rubber Mopdbury and get 25mm foam instead of the 50mm I bought home yesterday.

I also need to go back to Bunnings Parafield as I can't find the new tin of Brunswick Green paint thqt I bought just a few weeks ago. Well I have found that is the easiest way to find something that doesn't want to be found :wink:

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Note the steel frame, part of the secret why the chair is so sturdy.

So, sanding down this coat. On with another. By the afternoon on with a coat of the green. Whew! This might make it to the Santa gig on this Saturday. Might.

Dave-1
Community Megastar

Re: Fixing up Santa's Throne - part 1 - the legs

Morning @ilox 

That is coming up brilliantly! I cant even see the repair "nodding to myself" at the quality of the work.

 

Looking for something in particular and not finding the one thing... hahahah I do that all the time, I actually work at a Uni and one of my jobs is to buy local items, lots of trips to Bunniongs with vague descriptions of the item... Oh yeah I know how you feel.

 

Impressed going to Uni :smile: My Uni had for awhile a push for older students and I actually felt they handled uni better. They approached it differently and carried a wealth of knowledge already.

 

Dave

ilox
Building a Reputation

Re: Fixing up Santa's Throne - part 1 - the legs

Thank you, Dave 

ilox
Building a Reputation

Re: Fixing up Santa's Throne - part 1 - the legs

Update. Holes  underneath the other arm have been filled with Agnews Water Putty   almost dried ready to sand and undercoat.

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 Went to Clark Rubber Modbury his morning. Got pieces of 10 abd 25mm upholstery foam for the back.

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On the way home dropped into the Paint section of Bunnings Modbury. 

Lady was so helpful so I now have this paint and extra rollers.

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 Just for completeness,  this is the Undercoat I am using. Not a new can :wink:

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Dave-1
Community Megastar

Re: Fixing up Santa's Throne - part 1 - the legs

Evening @ilox 

:smile: man, this is a Christmas story in the making, cutting it down to the wire :smile: Can feel the pressure and confidence at the same time.

 

You do really nice work :smile:

 

Dave

ilox
Building a Reputation

Re: Fixing up Santa's Throne - part 1 - the legs

We are so close to completion. I was stapling on the arm cushions this evening when the Craftright stapler jammed and the Ozito electric stapler couldn't get into the place underneath where it has to staple. Somehow, I have to do that in the morning before I leave at 9.
What a struggle this has been.
Thankfully I found a way to transport the chair to the event, my neighbour has loaned me his old Ford Territory with stacks of room for the throne and goodies. Whew.
So let me update you on the progress... this was after I had finished the first green coat around 9 PM. If it showed white I covered it with green :wink:

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It was a different story in the morning (13/12), all streaky as it was just the first coat. 

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So I put on the next coat, but cut corners by only painting where it was able to be seen. The rest can happen after the event.

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Oooo, looking nice, but perhaps instead of low-sheen I should have chosen semi-gloss? Too late now. On with the show.
So, over on the other thread I will talk about fixing up the back piece upholstery. Check that out here...
At present, with the arm pads and decorations still to go on in the morning, here is the throne almost all refurbished. 

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Ta da!

   



 

 

Dave-1
Community Megastar

Re: Fixing up Santa's Throne - part 1 - the legs

Afternoon @ilox 

Thats a shiny NEW chair! 

Beautiful work and love the process!

 

Dave

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