July 1, 2014

Replacement Dining Table legs

(2002) Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
finishing.com
Pine Beach, New Jersey
(2003)

Q. Hello,

The question that I have may not be appropriate for this site bit I will post it anyway. My business partner and I are starting a small furniture line. Part of the line is 50's inspired dining tables, we have been trying to find a source for the chrome legs and trim that one found on original 50's tables. I have looked all over the internet but all we find are companies that either sell vintage tables or ones that make the tables to order new. So far I have not been able to find a supplier of these chrome legs and trim that we can buy from. We are desperate to get started but without these legs and trim a large part of our line is at a stand still. Does anyone know if there are companies that make these. We appreciate all replies and suggestions.

Thank you,

Andrew C [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Miami Beach, Florida
(2003)

A. What you might want to do, Andrew, is find a metal working shop and a plating shop (or ideally a metal working shop that deals with a plating shop and gives you the finished product).

The metal working shop buys steel tubing from a steel distributor and cuts & bends it and punches holes and welds it as required to your design. Then the plating shop polishes it and plates it and ships it to you. Plating is a jobshop oriented industry. Plating shops and metal working shops love to have jobs like yours! I think you are just not yet envisioning how it is normally done. I'll bet you'll get private offers from your posting here.

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
finishing.com
Pine Beach, New Jersey(2003)

A. Do a search for plating shops in Thomasville and High Point NC. That is a big furniture producing area. There are a several shops in the area that may be able to help you.

Todd Osmolski
- Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
(2003)

Andrew, it only just now hit me that you may not have realized that there is actually no such thing as legs and trim made of chrome; you may not have realized that these are steel items that are nickel-chrome electroplated.

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
finishing.com
Pine Beach, New JerseyI recently bought a 1950s kitchen table-formica top with chrome legs and apron. I've managed to buff out most of the small rust spots with [linked by editor to product info at Rockler] (I haven't gotten around to waxing yet). However, one leg has spots that are rusted through the chrome layer entirely and cannot be buffed out. Would chrome paint provide an adequate cosmetic solution? Are there paints available that do not require special equipment for application? If this is a reasonable fix, I would like to try it. If it's not worth the time and money, I can live with one rusty leg on an old table. Thanks!Leah Krynicky
hobbyist - Arlington, Virginia Hi, Leah. Yes, there are inexpensive spray paints that are at least intended to be chrome colored, like Plastikote Bumper Chrome Paint [linked by editor to product info at Amazon]. Or you may wish to try the cleaning and preservation tips on letter 41759, "Rechroming or removing rust from vintage 1950s chrome leg kitchen table". Good luck with it.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
finishing.com
Pine Beach, New Jersey

Check out for 1950's table replacement parts.

Mike Kleinhans
- Manitowoc, WisconsinI RECENTLY PURCHASED A SET OF FOUR VINTAGE CHROME STEEL CHAIRS, ONE OF WHICH NEEDS SOME MINOR WELDING REPAIR AT TWO POINTS WHERE STEEL WIRE MEETS THE FRAME. WILL I HAVE TO HAVE THE ENTIRE CHAIR RE-CHROMED AFTER IT IS REPAIRED OR CAN IT BE SPOT-CHROMED? ARE THERE ANY COMPANIES IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA THAT DO THIS AND WHAT IS THE GENERAL COST?

THANKS

KELLY E [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
COLLECTOR - KANSAS CITY
Hi, I am cleaning up a vintage Formica kitchen table. The legs are pretty much the only issue. The tinfoil and water method is working great!

What I would like to replace is the plastic band that runs around the table edge. Anyone know where I might find this?

Kathleen Figueroa
- Lomita California