Question about reupholstering and repainting wood chairs?

[ShammyCrafty]

I recently purchased some old chairs that I would like to spray paint and reupholster. What grit of sandpaper should I use to remove the varnish?
And does anyone have any ideas on how I can get the cushion off the seat back?? It appears that the studs are holding it in.
I'm not sure what to use to remove those, or what will happen once I do.
And if I have to remove the studs, what do I do to put the cushion back on?
Any ideas or suggestions are welcomed!
Thanks!

[lydiaharper]

Ok, so I am no help at all, but I am replying because I have the same problem.  I got an ugly rocker from freecycle, but I think it has potential.  It has the studs like yours.





Hope someone has advice.  I am so impatient, I wanna just rip it apart. LOL


Lydia

[lydiaharper]

ShammyCrafty, did you ever figure out how to reupholster your chair?

Lydia

[gamerbabe]

The studs are just furniture tacks. They're a decorative finish like um piping and braided cord are.

I use a 60 grit sand paper followed by 80 grit. I love krylon spray paint and although you *can* spray paint without sanding, the paint chips off eventually (ask me how I know lol). I also use a spray primer first just to give the paint something to hold on to.

The seat can usually be removed by tipping the chair over and unscrewing the seat bottom. You can put your new fabric over the old fabric or you can peel off the old fabric, put down new cushion and batting if it needs it and then put fabric on.

The seat backs usually pop off. Try removing the trim to see how they attached the backing